Replica commemorative oar used by the Oarsome Foursome™
Maker
Mercantile Rowing Club
Date2000
Object number00030892
NameOar
MediumWood, plastic, rubber, metal
DimensionsOverall: 250 x 3760 x 105 mm, 3 kg
Display Dimensions: 250 x 110 x 3780 mm
Display Dimensions: 250 x 110 x 3780 mm
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis is a replica of the cleaver oars used by the Australian men's Coxless Four when they won gold at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. The Coxless Four was crewed by James Tonkin (stroke), Nick Green (3), Mike McKay (2) and Andrew Cooper (bow).HistoryThe modern Olympic Games have become the most important sporting event in the world. Over the past 100 years profound shifts in attitudes have reshaped approaches to training, female competitors, sponsorship and professionalism. Australian Olympic rowing has been no exception. Until 1980 Olympic rowers were solely male and strictly amateur. Going to the games meant funding your own trip, on your own time and training around the commitments of full-time work. Australian Olympic rowing was transformed in the 1980s by the government-funded Australian Institute of Sport and the inclusion of women. Television coverage attracted greater public interest and new sponsorship opportunities and Australian women rowers won their first gold medal in 1996.
The Oarsome Foursome™ won successive Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996 in the Men's Coxless four event. A Melbourne journalist coined their catchy nickname in 1990. It became synonymous with the crew's awesome achievements and was crucial in lifting the public profile of Olympic rowing. After their first gold medal, the crew signed with a management team and several sponsors. In 1998 the Oarsome Foursome™ registered their name and logo with the Trademarks Office, giving them exclusive rights to use it within Australia.SignificanceThis oar is representitive of competitive rowing and the gold medal winning achievement of the Oarsome Foursome™ at the Barcelona Olympics.
