Rio 2016: Olivier Siegelaar and the Dutch Eight win Bronze in Men’s Rowing

The Cal alum and 3rd time Olympian has won his first Olympic medal

By Ruey Yen@YRueyYen Aug 13, 2016, 7:45am PDT

Rowing - Olympics: Day 8 — Olivier Siegelaar has finally won an Olympic medal in his 3rd Olympic games.

Finally, we have a non-USA swimming medal to add to our Calympian medal count. Congratulations to Cal Men’s Crew alum Olivier Siegelaar and his Netherlands crew in winning the Bronze in Men’s Eight.

The Netherlands crew consists of Kaj Hendriks, Robert Lücken, Boaz Meylink, Boudewijn Roell, Olivier Siegelaar, Dirk Uittenboogaard, Mechiel Versluis, Tone Wieten, and coxswain Peter Wiersum.

Cal Crew forever! Congrats Olivier Siegelaar! GO BEARS! #bronze

A photo posted by @calcrew on Aug 13, 2016 at 9:04am PDT

The Dutch crew were 5th in the first 500. They moved up to 4th at 1000 (midway point). At the 1500, the Dutch Eight were a close 3rd, just behind Germany. It was a neck and neck race between the Dutch and the German in the last 500, but Germany (5:30.96) was just ahead at the finish line for the Silver. The Dutch Eight finished with a time of 5:31.59.

Great Britain dominated the race to win the Gold with a time of 5:29.63.

The Dutch Eight had to go through the Repechage to get to the final. They actually had the 2nd best time from the heat but was in the same one as the fastest crew, Great Britain.

Anyhow, 3rd time Calympian and Cal Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) grad Olivier Siegelaar has finally won an Olympic medal after finishing 4th and 5th in Beijing and London, respectively.

ROW ON YOU BEARS!