Australians connect with Rowsellas as Paris Games inspires Aussie pride and physical activity

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games drove unprecedented connection between the Rowsellas and Australian sports fans, with strong engagement for initiatives across the sport of Rowing in Australia.

According to the Australian Sports Commission's Community Perceptions Monitor (CPM) survey, 81% of Australians watched the Olympic Games and 73% tuned into the Paralympics.

Additionally, 48% of Olympic viewers and 54% of Paralympic viewers reported feeling proud to be Australian.

Rowing Australia's commitment to fan engagement played a pivotal role, with the survey showing rowing had double the expected pre-Games engagement for the Olympic Games (30% as compared to a projected 15%) and a 5% increase (17% compared to 12%) for the Paralympic Games.

For the first time in history, the National Selection Trials were opened to the public through the groundbreaking Channel 9 documentary 'Race to Paris', offering unparalleled insights into the dedication, talent and sacrifice required to wear the green and gold on the world’s biggest stage.

This initiative not only provided fans with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the sport but also fostered a stronger connection between the sporting public and rowing's elite athletes, whose unfiltered journeys played out before our eyes.

Jean Mitchell, who made her Olympic debut in Paris after being diagnosed with medulloblastoma brain cancer at just 16, let Australia into her world when we witnessed the unforgettable moment that she shared the news with her Dad that she had just made her first Australian Olympic team. 

Paralympic champions Jed Altschwager PLY and Nikki Ayers PLY, who powered to Gold in the PR3 Mixed Double Sculls, were instrumental in inspiring Australians by openly sharing their stories of perseverance and triumph.

Their efforts, along with those of their fellow Rowsellas, contributed to the 20% of Olympic viewers and 15% of Paralympic viewers who reported feeling motivated to increase their physical activity after watching the Games.

Rowing Australia's CEO, Sarah Cook OLY, emphasised the significance of this engagement in driving the sport forward and the virtuous circle of elite sport and our athletes as role models.

"We are incredibly proud of the way our Rowsellas have connected with the Australian public and inspired Australians to Win Well” Cook said.

“Their willingness to open up and share their journey has bridged the gap between the Australian public and our athletes, ultimately inspiring our next generation.

"In the same way I was inspired as a child who watched the 1992 Barcelona Games which fueled my journey to the Olympics, I know there will be many young people out there who took inspiration from our athletes and might just set their own sights on being a future Olympian or Paralympian.

“As we look towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, we are excited to continue to share our stories and build an even greater connection with all Australians."

As we move into the next Olympic and Paralympic cycle, Rowing Australia remains committed to fostering deeper connections and driving increased participation from grassroots to elite, and across all facets of the sport from athletes to coaches to volunteers and officials.

"The Paris 2024 Games have set a new benchmark for engagement and we are excited to build on this momentum in the years ahead," Cook said.