Mahe Drysdale is a three-time Olympic medallist having won gold at Rio 2016 and London 2012 and bronze at Beijing 2008.

Several of Drysdale's Olympic medals have been earnt in dramatic circumstances. In Rio the race went to a photo finish, with Drysdale beating Croatia's Damir Martin by just seven one-thousandths of a second.

In Beijing Drysdale was struck by a gastro bug and was vomiting several hours before the final. Upon finishing he vomited and fainted and was taken to the medical tent. He had to be carried to the medal ceremony.

Alongside his Olympic medals the 1.99 metre tall Drysdale has won a staggering five world titles.

Drysdale was born in Melbourne and lived in England until he was 11 years old. He took up rowing at 18 after having previously favoured canoe polo, at which he represented New Zealand. He was inspired by gold medal winner Rob Waddell's performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and began rowing while studying at Auckland University.

Drysdale also represented New Zealand at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in the coxless four, with the crew placing 5th.
He was New Zealand team captain and flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Drysdale has won numerous awards during his long career. In 2009 he was the International Rowing Federation's male Rower of the Year. He won the Halberg Supreme Award in 2006 and was Sportsman of the Year in 2006, 07, 09 and 12. He was awarded the Lonsdale Cup by the New Zealand Olympic Committee in 2009. Drysdale was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 New Year honours.

He is now based in Cambridge where he lives with his wife, former Olympic rower, Juliette Haigh and their two children.

In November 2016, Drysdale announced that he would take a break from rowing in 2017.


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Mahe's Games History

  • Olympic Summer Games Rio 2016

    • Rowing (Single Scull - Men)
      Men's Single Sculls Finals A 6:41:34
      Men's Single Sculls Semifinals 7:03:70 Q
      Men's Single Sculls Quarterfinals 6:46:51 Q
      Men's Single Sculls Heats 7:04:45 Q
      1
  • Olympic Summer Games London 2012

    • Rowing (Single Scull - Men)
      Final A 6:57.82
      Semifinal A/B 1 7:18.11 FA
      Quarterfinal 1 6:54.86 S_A/B
      Heat 4 6:49.69 Q
      1
  • Olympic Summer Games Beijing 2008

    • Rowing (Single Scull - Men)
      Final A 7:01.56
      Semifinal A/B - Race 02 7:05.57
      Quarter Final 04 6:50.18
      Heat 02 7:56.83
      3
  • Olympic Summer Games Athens 2004

    • Rowing (Coxless Four - Men)
      Final A 6:15.47
      Semifinals 5:52.83
      Heats 6:22.91
      Placed 5 of 13