New Zealand’s rowers experienced a triumphant evening at the Paris Olympics, highlighted by an emphatic victory in the women’s double sculls.
Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis clinched the gold medal in a gripping final, marking New Zealand’s second gold of the 2024 Games. The duo’s tenacity paid off as they narrowly edged out two-time world champions Romania and Great Britain, finishing with a time of five minutes and 55 seconds. Both Spoors and Francis, who previously won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, returned to the sport after starting their families.
The emotional win was witnessed by their children in the stands, adding to the poignant moment.
The magic hour for New Zealand continued with the men’s four securing a silver medal and the women’s four, including Spoors’ sister Phoebe, taking home a bronze.
The men’s double sculls team, consisting of Robbie Manson and Jordan Parry, finished sixth, falling short of a podium finish.
