Tribute to Andy Holmes MBE

It is with great sadness that the GB Rowing Team has learned of the recent death of multi-Olympic medallist Andy Holmes MBE.

Andy won gold as part of the GB team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and followed that up with gold and bronze in 1988 in Korea. He was also a double Commonwealth Games champion and a Henley Royal Regatta winner.

After a break from the sport he had recently returned to coaching at club level and the thoughts of rowers at international, national and club level go out to his family and close friends at this sad time.

“Andy was a significantly talented, outstanding and dedicated athlete of his era”, said David Tanner, GB Rowing’s Performance Director today from the team’s base in New Zealand where they are preparing for the World Championships that start on Sunday.  “His medals were part of a renaissance for the sport in the UK and provided foundations on which future generations have built”.

“Andy was a strong character within the sport in his racing days and we were pleased recently to see that, after success in business, he had decided to return to rowing at grassroots level to pass on his expertise to a new generation.  For the young people he was coaching at his club and for his country, he will be sadly missed”, added Di Ellis, British Rowing’s Chairman.