Drew Ginn OAM

Drew Ginn is an Olympic Rower with three gold medals behind him despite suffering intense back problems that at one stage forced him to step back from training and competition for two years. Through incredible determination, Drew underwent an intense program of rehabilitation to return to – and succeed in – the sport he is most passionate about. Furthermore, during his period of recovery, he took up cycling and claimed an international gold in that event as well.

A talented keynote speaker and facilitator, Drew works with audiences to develop leadership, goal setting, teamwork and motivation. His personal stories of building and rebuilding his sports career, and competing at an elite level, are both inspirational and spellbinding for audiences of all ages.

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Drew Ginn made his international debut in 1995 at age 20, as a member of the Eight that placed fourth at the European Championships and eleventh at the World Championships, and became a member of the world famous Oarsome Foursome after the retirement of Andrew Cooper.

At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics the Oarsome Foursome rowed its way into Australian sporting history and Drew realised his childhood dream of becoming an Olympian and Gold medalist.

The Sydney Olympics proved to be one of Drew’s greatest challenges. Drew and his rowing partner, James Tomkins, had planned to row the straight pair when Drew developed a career threatening back injury and was forced to withdraw from the boat.

Heading to Athens in 2004 keen to atone for his Sydney 2000 disappointment, Drew combined brilliantly with Tomkins in the pairs to win his second Olympic Gold in a race described by former Oarsome

Foursome teammate Nick Green as ‘perfect’. Drew carved a place among Australia’s great Olympians by winning his third Gold at the Beijing games in 2008. It was an amazing feat to win his third gold but more amazing that he was in the boat at the start line in the first place. Due to a debilitating back injury Drew could barley walk in the lead up to the games, let alone row.

Back in Melbourne following another surgery on his back Drew took up cycling to keep fit. In the process he claimed Gold in the Oceania Cycling Championships – incredible.

Drew is now a proud family man who divides his time between his bike shops and motivational corporate speaking and seminars. Now carrying the distinction of being a triple Olympic Gold medalist, Drew Ginn has carved a place among Australia’s great Olympians.