By Razeen Gutta
South African rower John Smith aims to spring a surprise return to the victor’s podium when he competes in the pairs boat race with Christopher Baxter at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After winning gold alongside James Thompson, Sizwe Ndlovu, and Matthew Brittain at the London Olympics in 2012, Smith, 34, has his sights set on finishing his career on a high level when he participates in his fourth Olympic Games this year.
Despite retiring after the Tokyo games, his return last year was all in the hope of achieving one final medal in Paris.
Alongside him will be 24-year-old Baxter. Last year, the pair finished sixth in the men’s pair A final at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, with just 14 seconds separating them from a podium finish.
“We are a new combination, a young up-and-comer and an old rower out of retirement,” Smith said at an Olympic farewell function for the rowing team.
“We have raced the world twice, and we have not placed yet. The world expects nothing from us, they don’t fear us, and they underestimate us.”
“That makes us an underdog crew – that makes us the dark horse – and that gives us all the fuel we need.”
Pictured above: John Smith and Christopher Baxter.
Source: @rowingrsa
