Team GB secured a bronze medal at the Vaires-sur-Marne event, marking Fieldman as the first Olympian to achieve medals in both men’s and women’s events. When asked about his achievement, Fieldman remained composed and stated, “They only changed the rule in 2017 so someone was going to do it and it just happened to be me,” as reported by The Telegraph. He further justified his choice to steer the women’s team by referencing Harry Brightmore, the coxswain of the men’s team, who contributed to Team GB’s gold medal win in Paris.
Harry is a highly skilled coxswain,” Frieldman mentioned. “The decision was made based on the belief that he would be a better match for the men’s team, while I would be more suitable for the women’s team.
“It has truly been a pleasure, the greatest honor of my life. The effort required for each stroke is generally greater for the women compared to the men, and I have been extremely impressed by their dedication. They are an incredibly supportive group. We have faced numerous challenges and obstacles together.”
Heidi Long, a rower on the women’s team, informed Reuters that Fieldman brings out the best in the women’s team.
“We simply could not achieve our goals without him,” she stated.
“We are a cohesive unit and he ensures that we are all focused on the same objective – he eliminates any concerns about our tasks. We are confident that everything has been taken care of when we are lined up at the starting line.”
