Already an Olympian, Grady eyes Paris in 2024
After competing in Tokyo last summer, rower Michael Grady looks forward to returning to the Olympics in 2024 in Paris and earning a medal.
The 25-year-old Bradford Woods product and Central Catholic graduate took a positive step on that journey recently in the USRowing National Selection Regatta 2 in New Jersey.
Grady and California Rowing Club teammate Justin Best took first place in the men’s pair event, securing a berth in the World Rowing Cup 2 in June in Poland. A top-six finish, or top 50% finish if there are fewer than 12 entries, in that regatta will earn them a spot in the 2022 World Rowing Championships in September in the Czech Republic.
“I have thought about retiring from rowing when the going gets tough,” said Grady, a Cornell University graduate. “I have my eyes set on Paris for now, but will have to decide on my future once I get there.”
Grady and Best, an Olympian last year and a Drexel University alumnus from Chester County, had it easy in the national selection race, finishing four seconds ahead of the runner-up in 6 minutes, 37.45 seconds.
Grady, a five-time national team member who
placed fifth in the four in Tokyo, said it was a good test of their skills.
“Pair racing is required for the selection process,” he said. “It shows how well individuals can create boat speed.
“Larger boats can hide weak areas relating to strength and technical prowess.”
Best, 24, said the boat responded to every call Grady made.
“It’s great to row with Michael,” he said. “He’s a fierce competitor who emphasizes techniques.”
California Rowing Club coach Mike Teti believes Grady’s best days are ahead.
“The sweet spot for our
sport is the 28-32 age range,” said Teti, a former U. S. Olympic coach who earned a bronze medal in his 30s in the eight in the 1988 Olympics. “He’s super talented and improving in every facet.
“He’s gotten a lot stronger.”
The 6-foot-5 Grady works full-time near his training base in Oakland as sales development representative for DataStream Cyber Insurance, which Teti said has made him more disciplined. (In his biography on the company website, it says Grady in his spare time is training for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.)
“He trains in the morning, works all day, then comes back for more training in the evening,” Teti said.
Grady considers his father a role model.
John Grady, 61, an orthodontist who took up rowing after competing as a triathlete, holds the Concept2 indoor rowing world record of 1:21.7 in the 500 meters in the men’s 60-69 category.
“My dad has been crucial in providing me the opportunity to be where I am today,” Michael said. “Without him, I couldn’t have pursued my goals.”
Staying competitive on the international level drives Grady, a gold medalist in the eight in the 2018 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
He expects some bumps along the way.
“You can’t let the lows get too low or the highs get too high,” he said. “It’s best to take things one step at a time.”
If he does make it to Paris, he hopes COVID protocols will be more relaxed than they were in Tokyo during peak pandemic.
One way or another, he will be ready.
“It was just another race to me in Tokyo,” he said. “By then, we had done enough preparation there was no need to stress out over it.”