Graeme Thomas

Outside the boat Graeme is passionate about the environment and has turned half his garden into a wildflower patch, installed bird houses, bee hotels and bat boxes.

As an athlete representative on the British Rowing sustainability working group he hopes to spread awareness of issues close to the river and beyond.

Graeme was selected for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games but was taken ill before the start of the regatta and had to fly home without lifting a blade. He returned for the delayed Tokyo 2022 Games and narrowly missed out on a podium spot in the men’s double sculls. Graeme is hoping to make it third time lucky by being selected for Paris 2024 and compete for that elusive Olympic medal.

Graeme is an ambassador for two organisations in the north west of England; Greater Manchester Youth Rowing and the North West Scouting Association. Goals beyond rowing include becoming a freediving instructor and building an eco house in the countryside.