Gratitude is overwhelming emotion for golden rower

Marlborough’s golden oarsman, Tom Murray, is relishing being part of a Kiwi eight that, after so many years, have shown they can foot it with the sport’s “big boys”.

“Ever since I got into the eight, back in 2013, I watched the Germans, the British and the Dutch just master that race and to be able to go out there and not just foot it, but to get one over them, is hard to put into words … there are a lot of emotions swirling around at the moment,” said Tom soon after the NZ eight won gold on the Tokyo course.

“It feels like we have really put our mark on [the eights] … there has been a lot of talk about the 50 years [since we last won the eights] and it will take a while to express what it means to be a part of that legacy. It is an old sport, there is a lot of history … it’s almost numbing at this point, when you haven’t had time to process it yet."

So, how did it feel as he crossed the finish line?

“Relief is normally the first emotion for me after a big race, crossing that line, but this time there was just bucket loads of gratitude. We only get nine medals on the dais but there are so many others deserving of this gold medal.

“The team we have around us daily – physiologists, physios, massage therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, managers, nutritionists … the list is endless. It is really humbling to be part of such a team.”

Tom also acknowledged the support from back home. “It comes in waves … especially with the messages of support. You just realise how big that support team is … old coaches, friends, family, the local media who help spread the stories to inspire younger generations. The group is absolutely massive and the support from such a small town is overwhelming.”

He said the medal ceremony was a moment of great national pride.

“To hear the national anthem and to watch the flag go up is not something you get to do often so you just try to soak it all in. You almost feel you are watching from a distance … just intensely proud to be from New Zealand, Aotearoa. It makes you think what it means to be a Kiwi when you stand there listening to an anthem that so many other inspirational athletes have stood on top of the dais and listened to."

Although he is used to performing in front of noisy crowds, based at the finish line, Tom said his supporters were never far from his thoughts.

“It was a bit different not having that ‘black hole’ among the stadium crowd. Being able to cross the line, wherever you finished, and looking into the stands to see the crew that follows us around so doggedly, the families and the friends.

“It was sad not to have them there, but we have received so many videos showing their support. They are still a huge part of our journey even though they are not here with us. We are intensely proud to do it for our friends and family who have stuck beside us for so long, through so much.”

Last season Tom was part of the Kiwi pair, alongside Michael Brake. They picked up a world silver medal in the smaller craft, but then, at Hamish Bond’s urging, decided to join the eight, which Tom was a part of at the Rio Olympics.

To say that move worked out well is an understatement.

“There was a sense of unfinished business [in the eight],” said Tom. “The history of the eight and the feeling of an eight when it’s going really well is special and I guess that’s why it’s a blue riband event.  So I guess, coming away with the gold, you can’t complain about our decision,” he added with a chuckle.

Despite having an Olympic gold medal in his pocket, Tom was unsure, immediately after the event, where it sat with him.

“I have often pictured this moment and definitely dreamt of crossing a line feeling like I was first … but when that finally happened I don’t know where my head was. I don’t know if I was just trying to breathe, or if I didn’t quite believe it. But that definitely wasn’t how I had dreamt of it happening.

“Our seven seat turned around and said ‘where did we come, where did we come?’ … it’s not immediately apparent, especially when its that close, that you have won.

“It will take a lot of reflection to put a lot of these emotions into words.”

The NZ rowing team topped the medal table at the Games, prompting the question as to why a small country at the bottom of the Pacific could be so successful.

Tom put it down to two things – the support teams who had put their personal lives on hold to provide a framework for success, and “small town New Zealand”.

“And it’s not just in rowing,” he added. “We are constantly punching above our weight on the world stage.

“It starts at grassroots level … the fundraisers, the volunteers. The people of Blenheim who have given so generously over the years to sports teams to try and get our young athletes around the country and around the world, to try and be a better version of themselves. It’s unreal and not just in Blenheim, it happens all around the country.”

Asked about his chances of chasing a second gold in Paris in 2024 Tom was understandably non-committal

“There has been a lot more talk of time off … to gather the thoughts, assess the body and spend some time in quarantine which I think will be quite good for me, just to process what has happened and understand where I am at.”

The rowers fly out of Japan on Sunday, Tom sorry to miss the chance of savoring more of the Japanese culture, which he “absolutely loved”.

“It is a shame to have to leave so quickly but on the other side of the coin I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to come here. I know not all the population of Japan have been behind the Olympics but to those who have helped it go ahead so smoothly I have an unbelievable amount of gratitude.”