Eights, Men

Great Britain and the United States, the traditional favorites in the event, were represented by the Thames Rowing Club and the University of California, Berkeley, respectively. The British crew had won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley’s Royal Regatta in 1928, while five of its members had been on the winning team in 1927, and one, the great Jack Beresford, had earned the title as early as 1923.

Neither nation disappointed in the first three rounds, and their times were bested only once, when Germany won its heat faster than the Americans in round two. In the semifinals, however, the United States was nearly defeated by Canada, eking out a victory by only 1.8 seconds, following a strong drive from their northern neighbors. Great Britain essentially had a walkover and, with no one left to face, the Canadians were awarded bronze. In the final, it seemed as if the more well-rested Britons would take the crown, but the Americans pulled together an admirable effort and won their third consecutive Olympic gold in the event, leaving Great Britain with silver.