Band of brothers in emotional final farewell in Tokyo
WHEN Australia’s band of brothers in the K4 left the water in Tokyo on Saturday the realisation they had probably done their last ever race together hit them.
The tears started. And they didn’t stop for some time.
Lachlan Tame, who had been unable to talk a day earlier due to the emotion of the moment, was able to vocalise how proud he was to have been part of the crew which, against
the odds, made the Olympic K4 final where they finished sixth. They were unable to match the pace of world champions Germany.
“It was a very special 18 months we have had,’’ said Tame of the crew being unable to race or train internationally for 18 months.
“Sixth sucks, but coming off just three races together we are stoked.’’
Veteran Murray Stewart, who said he is “99 per cent” retired, said: “It wasn’t the result we were hoping for. It’s not the result we were chasing, but we can hold our head high.”
While Tame and Stewart’s Olympic careers are likely over Jordan Wood and Riley Fitzsimmons are campaigning for Paris 2024.