Paris 2024: Rowing, Men's Pair Selected For Olympic Games

Olympic gold medallists Phillip Wilson and Dan Williamson have been added to the New Zealand Rowing team for the Paris Olympics next month.

Wilson and Williamson were in the Men’s Eight that won gold in Tokyo three years ago and now have the opportunity to continue New Zealand’s outstanding record in the Coxless Pair.

New Zealand has a proud history in the pair, having won six medals, including three gold in the boat.

“We walk in the footsteps of some of the greats and in that sense, it is very special,” Williamson said of their selection.

“But just thinking about the success had in this boat class won’t get us anywhere, it’s now up to Phil and I, our coaches and physiologists, to deliver at Games time. We take great inspiration from those that have come before us and are motivated by the fact it’s been done before.”

Wilson and Williamson’s addition to the team follows a selection process against fellow squad members Ben Taylor and Campbell Crouch. Both crews raced at the recent World Cup regatta in Poland, where Wilson and Williamson won a bronze medal.

“Having your seats opened up for selection really just adds fuel to the fire,” said Williamson.

“The last few weeks have really taught us how to manage external distractions while staying internally focused, a skill that will definitely come in handy during the Olympics.”

The selection of Wilson and Williamson brings the number of New Zealand boats competing in Paris to nine.

“It makes me very proud to be able to represent my country on the biggest sporting stage for a second time,” said Wilson.

“I think of the family and friends that were stuck at home during the last Olympics and this time around they will be there in the stands. It will make it that much more special to have them there.”

NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol said Wilson and Williamson’s experience would be invaluable to the team and she looked forward to watching them compete at another Games.

“We know Dan and Phillip are proven competitors and we’re thrilled to have them back in the New Zealand Team,” said Nicol.

“We wish them all the best with the rest of their competition and look forward to watching them on the water in Paris in just over a month.”

Ben Taylor has been named as the travelling reserve for the boat, while Campbell Crouch, Ben Mason and Flynn Eliadis-Watson have been named as non-travelling reserves.

The full New Zealand Rowing Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is:
Women’s Single Scull (W1x) - Emma Twigg
Women’s Double Scull (W2x) - Lucy Spoors, Brooke Francis
Women’s Lightweight Double Scull (LW2x) - Jackie Kiddle, Shannon Cox
Women’s Coxless Pair (W2-) - Alana Sherman, Kate Haines
Women’s Coxless Four (W4-) - Kerri Williams, Davina Waddy, Phoebe Spoors, Jackie Gowler
Men’s Single Scull (M1x) - Tom Mackintosh
Men’s Double Scull (M2x) - Jordan Parry, Robbie Manson
Men’s Coxless Pair (M2-) - Phillip Wilson, Dan Williamson
Men’s Coxless Four (M4-) - Matt Macdonald, Tom Murray, Logan Ullrich, Oliver Maclean

Athlete Bios:

Dan Williamson

Dan Williamson will be attending his second Olympics, rowing in the Men’s Coxless Pair. He won an Olympic gold medal as part of the New Zealand Men’s Eight at Tokyo 2020.

The crew's journey to, and victory at, Tokyo was nothing short of remarkable. The eight originally missed out on qualification but secured their spot at the ‘last chance regatta' in Switzerland in May, 2021. They won the regatta and returned to New Zealand where they were required to undergo two weeks of managed isolation in individual hotel rooms, just over a month out from their departure to Japan.

Williamson was the youngest member of the eight at just 21-years-old. He is a graduate of Yale University, where he won the college’s most prestigious sporting honour, the William Neely Mallory Award.

Phillip Wilson

Phillip Wilson will be attending his second Olympics, rowing in the Men’s Coxless Pair. He won an Olympic gold medal as part of the New Zealand Men’s Eight at Tokyo 2020.

The crew's journey to, and victory at, Tokyo was nothing short of remarkable. The eight originally missed out on qualification but secured their spot at the ‘last chance regatta' in Switzerland in May, 2021. They won the regatta and returned to New Zealand where they were required to undergo two weeks of managed isolation in individual hotel rooms, just over a month out from their departure to Japan.

Wilson hails from Wellington where he began his rowing at Wellington College before moving to Cambridge in 2018 after making the elite team.

About The New Zealand Team for Paris 2024

In July and August 2024, New Zealand will take on the world at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Around 190 New Zealand Team athletes will compete at the Games, with the stunning city of Paris set to host 10,500 athletes from 206 nations.

With competition taking place at the Palace of Versaille, beneath the Eiffel Tower, inside Stade de France, and around landmarks such as Les Invalides, Place de la Concorde, Hotel de Ville and along the Seine, the Games are expected to be a spectacular event.

The Zealand Team is once again set to shine in sports from equestrian, to rowing, rugby sevens,
swimming, canoe sprint, sailing, athletics, cycling and more, while New Zealanders can check out the action in incredible new urban sports including skateboarding, sport climbing, breaking and 3x3 basketball.

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