Jack Cleary is a decorated Australian sculler, Olympic Bronze medallist, and one of the country’s most versatile endurance athletes. Born in Subiaco, Western Australia, and a proud product of Trinity College, Perth, Jack’s rowing career has spanned over a decade of elite competition, marked by grit, consistency, and medal-winning pedigree.

After early success at junior and U23 World Championships, including A-Final appearances in the JM2x (2013) and Bronze in the BM4+ (2016), Cleary earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley, where he majored in Economics and Sociology while competing for the Cal Bears. He returned home to join the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre (RBNTC) in 2018 and has remained a fixture in Australian sculling crew ever since.

Cleary’s career pinnacle came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he steered the Men’s Quad Scull (M4x) from the bow seat to a Bronze medal, Australia’s first in the event since 2012. The result contributed to one of Australian rowing’s "hour of power", with four medals won across the quad and four disciplines.

Jack is a four-time Australian Champion in the Open Men’s Quad Scull (2021–2025) and won the Junior Men’s Single Scull title in 2013. He’s also a multiple World Cup A-Finalist, with recent performances in the M2x and M4x consolidating his place among the nation’s top scullers.

Away from the water, Jack is a qualified Pilates instructor, strength & conditioning coach, and rowing coach, combining elite performance with mentorship. His sporting journey began in a dance school run by his parents, until a knee injury at age 13 led him to rowing as rehab. The rest is history.

Known for his razor-sharp racing instincts and sharp sense of humour, Jack’s favourite sporting moment remains standing on the Olympic podium in Tokyo. His technical motto? “Disregard the conditions and assault the front end.” His advice to young athletes: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—learning what not to do is just as valuable as doing it right.

And in true Cleary fashion, he adds: “To anyone that loses to me in a race, I would feel embarrassed if I was you.”