In 1992 Matthew graduated in Geography from St Catherine's College, Oxford, where he was President of the Oxford Rowing Club. Also in 1992, at the age of only 21, Matthew had his first taste of Olympic success, when in a Coxless Pair with Sir Steve Redgrave, he won Gold at the Barcelona Olympics. Prior to that Olympic win he and Redgrave had enjoyed an unbeaten international season, and it was already obvious that Matthew was developing to become one of the world's greatest oarsmen.
At the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 the Pinsent/Redgrave combination produced another gold medal and this was followed by several World Championship titles.
Their unbroken run of successes continued through to the Millennium Olympic Games in Sydney when Pinsent, still with Redgrave but now in a Coxless Four with James Cracknell and Tim Foster, again triumphed earning Pinsent his THIRD Olympic Gold Medal. “THE RACE” in which he did it was voted ‘Britain’s Greatest Sporting Moment’ and the crew secured themselves a very special place in the heart of the nation.
After Sydney, Matthew formed a seemingly invincible Coxless Pair partnership with James Cracknell MBE. Undefeated throughout 2001, they went on to complete a unique feat in the history of rowing, by winning the Coxless Pair at the World Championships in Lucerne, a mere two hours after winning the Coxed Pairs. In the 2002 World Championships in Seville they defended their Coxless Pairs title, beating an experienced Australian crew and breaking the world record by 4 seconds in the process.
On Saturday 21st August 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games, Matthew Pinsent CBE entered Olympic history by becoming one of only 5 athletes to win 4 consecutive Gold medals. In one of the classic sporting moments of all time, he led the Great Britain coxless four to victory over the Canadian World Champions by only eight one hundredths of a second.
On 30th November 2004 Matthew announced his retirement from international rowing. He undoubtedly sealed his name amongst the greatest Olympians of all time by winning again in Athens.
Matthew is an outstanding motivational and after dinner speaker. He was awarded the MBE in 1993, the CBE in 2001 and in the 2005 New Year’s Honours list he was awarded a knighthood.
His autobiography, “A lifetime in a race”, which he wrote himself was published on 2nd September 2004 and whatever the future holds, Matthew will no doubt be at the forefront of any career, whether it be in rowing, sport, business or the media.
Olympic Games
2004 Gold - Athens, Coxless Four
2000 Gold - Sydney, Coxless Four
1996 Gold - Atlanta, Coxless Pair
1992 Gold - Barcelona, Coxless Pair
2000 Flag bearer - Sydney, Team GB
World Championships
2002 Gold – Seville, Coxless Pair
2001 Gold – Lucerne, Coxless Pair
2001 Gold – Lucerne, Coxed Pair
1999 Gold – St Catherine’s, Coxless Four
1998 Gold – Cologne, Coxless Four
1997 Gold – Lac d’Aiguebelette, Coxless Four
1995 Gold – Tampere, Coxless Pair
1994 Gold – Indianapolis, Coxless Pair
1993 Gold – Roudnice, Coxless Pair
1991 Gold – Vienna, Coxless Pair
At the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 the Pinsent/Redgrave combination produced another gold medal and this was followed by several World Championship titles.
Their unbroken run of successes continued through to the Millennium Olympic Games in Sydney when Pinsent, still with Redgrave but now in a Coxless Four with James Cracknell and Tim Foster, again triumphed earning Pinsent his THIRD Olympic Gold Medal. “THE RACE” in which he did it was voted ‘Britain’s Greatest Sporting Moment’ and the crew secured themselves a very special place in the heart of the nation.
After Sydney, Matthew formed a seemingly invincible Coxless Pair partnership with James Cracknell MBE. Undefeated throughout 2001, they went on to complete a unique feat in the history of rowing, by winning the Coxless Pair at the World Championships in Lucerne, a mere two hours after winning the Coxed Pairs. In the 2002 World Championships in Seville they defended their Coxless Pairs title, beating an experienced Australian crew and breaking the world record by 4 seconds in the process.
On Saturday 21st August 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games, Matthew Pinsent CBE entered Olympic history by becoming one of only 5 athletes to win 4 consecutive Gold medals. In one of the classic sporting moments of all time, he led the Great Britain coxless four to victory over the Canadian World Champions by only eight one hundredths of a second.
On 30th November 2004 Matthew announced his retirement from international rowing. He undoubtedly sealed his name amongst the greatest Olympians of all time by winning again in Athens.
Matthew is an outstanding motivational and after dinner speaker. He was awarded the MBE in 1993, the CBE in 2001 and in the 2005 New Year’s Honours list he was awarded a knighthood.
His autobiography, “A lifetime in a race”, which he wrote himself was published on 2nd September 2004 and whatever the future holds, Matthew will no doubt be at the forefront of any career, whether it be in rowing, sport, business or the media.
Olympic Games
2004 Gold - Athens, Coxless Four
2000 Gold - Sydney, Coxless Four
1996 Gold - Atlanta, Coxless Pair
1992 Gold - Barcelona, Coxless Pair
2000 Flag bearer - Sydney, Team GB
World Championships
2002 Gold – Seville, Coxless Pair
2001 Gold – Lucerne, Coxless Pair
2001 Gold – Lucerne, Coxed Pair
1999 Gold – St Catherine’s, Coxless Four
1998 Gold – Cologne, Coxless Four
1997 Gold – Lac d’Aiguebelette, Coxless Four
1995 Gold – Tampere, Coxless Pair
1994 Gold – Indianapolis, Coxless Pair
1993 Gold – Roudnice, Coxless Pair
1991 Gold – Vienna, Coxless Pair
Outstanding motivational and inspirational speaker, four times Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent is one of Great Britain’s most successful and highest profile athletes of all time is also a highly entertaining after dinner speaker.
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