Olympic rower James Chapman has today formally announced his retirement from rowing. Chapman represented Australia at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as at multiple World Rowing Championships and World Rowing Cups.
 
The 38-year-old Chapman, who with Josh Dunkley-Smith, Will Lockwood and Drew Ginn won silver at the London 2012 OIympic Games in the Men’s Coxless Four, competed most recently in the Australian Men’s Eight at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne in 2016 but has made the decision to retire from the sport.
 
“I have been part of the senior Australian Rowing Team for over 15 years. The time was right to retire. The sport, and its community, has been a monumental part of my life and who I am today…more than just an athlete, but part of the wider sporting community which can add, support, enable and provide so much to family, mates and teammates.
 
“The decision was an easy one to make with what I achieved in the sport. I now want to focus on being able to contribute to the wider community. As some incredible, influential and generous coaches and bosses did with me, I will share some of the lessons, frameworks and experiences I have had from striving to be the best athlete I can be so that others may be able to discover new limits in their own capabilities.”
 
Chapman represented Australia at 15 World Rowing Cups and seven World Rowing Championships and of course two Olympic Games. Born in New South Wales, Chapman rowed out of Sydney Rowing Club, UTS Rowing Club and Mosman Rowing Club with the support of the New South Wales Institute of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport. He continues to be involved with the sport mentoring younger athletes both at a domestic, university and international level.
 
“I have to thank everyone who has been so supportive of my rowing career, the coaches, the older athletes before me who set a high standard, my mates around me who challenged and encouraged me, as well as NSWIS and the AIS for their support. I should also thank those that weren’t so supportive, as they set the challenge for me to prove to myself what I could achieve.
 
“I would also like to thank Rowing Australia and all those involved in the Australian Rowing Team over the last 15 years for their support. I also would like to thank my incredibly supportive and understanding family. Without their unwavering support when I needed a lift or a couch to crash on, both literally and metaphorically, I would not have been able to row for Australia for as long as I did.”
 
Rowing Australia President, Rob Scott, said: “James was an integral member of Australia’s men’s sweep group for many years, whilst also being a wonderful leader and role model within the Australian Rowing Team. His performances on the world stage speak for themselves, but I am certain he has no prouder moment than winning silver at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
 
“The athletes of the Australian Rowing Team have been lucky enough to have James represent their interests on the RA Athletes’ Commission and he has been a wonderful role model over the years to many Australian rowers and continues to be a great leader in our sport. We are eager for him to still be involved with rowing and hope he can contribute to our current and future athletes in a mentoring role.”