Murray says gold trio could go into eight
Olympic gold medal-winning trio Eric Murray, Hamish Bond and Mahe Drysdale are considering switching to the men’s eight for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Murray and Bond, who won their second-straight gold in the pair in Rio, and two-time defending Olympic single sculls champion Drysdale are set to take a break from the sport next year.
But should they return in 2018, they may set their sights on a new challenge.
‘‘As far as don’t think Newstalk ZB. break goes.
‘‘We’ve done everything in the pair. After London we’d won any regatta that counted, and tried to do it again for Rio. [For Tokyo] we’d just be doing it again.
‘‘We’re motivated by challenges. The only thing left to do in New Zealand rowing is the eight. It’s about asking whether we feel we could make it go well, or would it be better without us?’’
Bond and Murray have dominated the men’s pair like no other crews in rowing history.
In eight seasons together, they were undefeated across 69 races, winning two Olympic golds and six world championships.
Drysdale, meanwhile, became New Zealand’s oldest Olympic champion in August at 37 years, eight months and 25 days when he edged Croatian Damir Martin in the closest final in Games history.
While the trio would give the eight significant star power, their inclusion is far from guaranteed.
Rowing New Zealand is heavily invested in the current crew, who have largely been together since under-23 level and made the final in Rio.
Murray, Bond and Drysdale would have to go through trials like anyone else, while Murray finishing up goes, I so,’’ Murray told ‘‘We’ll see how the We’re motivated by challenges. The only thing left to do in New Zealand rowing is the eight. admitted there were several hurdles that could prevent them from making the move.
‘‘It’d be different, and we wouldn’t get the same flexibility as we’ve had in the pair,’’ he added on Newstalk ZB. ‘‘Hamish might get his wife pregnant and she mightn’t want him to go away all the time, and I’ve got a young boy. Decisions would need to be made, but that would be a driving factor if we were to continue.’’
With Bond set to ride the Tour of Southland with his brother Alistair next month, Murray said they would look to give Rowing NZ an answer on their future by the end of November.