A Letter from USRowing's CEO on the Olympic Games

Dear USRowing Community,

First, thank you for your support of our national team. Whether you're among the alumni of our teams, a supporter, a fan, or all of the above, your involvement is critical.

A lot of people have been reaching out to ask "what now" after what have been disappointing results in Tokyo. I know everyone wants to know what happened with the performance and how we will improve for Paris in 2024.

First, I would like to take a moment to recognize the tremendous effort of our athletes, as well as the coaches and support staff. They came out of quarantine and a pandemic, competed hard, and should be applauded for their work. Our focus now is on getting them home safely and ensuring they have the support they need after competing in the Olympics.

From there, we will continue the work that began this winter when I stepped into the role as CEO. We will review the feedback we are slated to receive from the USOPC, the recommendations of the high performance council, and the large volume of feedback we've received from rowers and coaches around the world with whom we've spoken. We'll also lean on what we learn from the comprehensive athlete surveys that were conducted this month.

This might go without saying, but change is clearly necessary. We cannot maintain the same systems, culture, and structure and expect better results. The athletes who dedicate their lives to achieve success in our sport deserve the very best we can possibly provide. I can assure you we are committed to an athlete-centered approach in the months and years ahead that identifies, retains, and supports our rowers.

Again, I recognize how eager we all are for immediate answers and solutions. I hope you'll trust that my biggest concern is for our athletes right now. This is a disappointing moment indeed, first and foremost for the rowers themselves and the individuals who coached and cared for them.

I am very proud of every rower in our boats, and I look forward to mapping out a brighter future for our sport.

All the best,

Amanda