“FIRST GOLD SINCE 1960”
A post on Instagram by U.S. Rowing sums up the momentous men’s four win by the Olympic rowing team on August 1 in Paris. The win marks the first U.S. gold in that competition since 1960, when Team U.S.A. won in Rome.
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The men’s four team is made up of Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, Nick Mead and Delaware native Justin Best. The four of them have rowed together for more than a year. The crew won a silver at the 2023 world championships last September, making a gold feel within reach at the 2024 Olympics.
The race in Paris started on a high note, with the U.S. boat quickly claiming the lead. With about 600 meters left in the race, New Zealand’s rowers began to gain on Team U.S.A. As American fans held their breath, the U.S. rowers pulled back ahead, winning by just under a second. Viewers can see Best, who rows seat three, throwing his hands up in spirited celebration as soon as the boat crosses the finish line.
Best has always been an athlete. A football injury when he was young resulted in a concussion. According to the personal information listed on his Team U.S.A. athlete profile, his parents watched The Social Network and noticed the actors who portrayed the Winklevoss twins had a similar build to their son. They signed him up for summer camp at the Newport Rowing Club the next day.
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In a post on Facebook, his first rowing club congratulated the 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist, stating, “We couldn’t be prouder of Justin & all the hard work he’s done! Incredibly well deserved!”
With a significant win for Best and team in the books, all eyes are peeled to see how Team U.S.A. will do in the competitions to come.
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