MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER: MATTHEW PINSENT

TRIPLE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST ROWER

Matthew Pinsent CBE had his first taste of Olympic Gold at the age of only 21, when he, together with partner Sir Steve Redgrave, won the GOLD MEDAL for the Coxless Pairs at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Prior to that Olympic win, he and Redgrave had enjoyed an unbeaten international season, with wins at Cologne, Duisburg, Henley and Lucerne and it was already obvious that Matthew was developing well under the aegis of Redgrave, already recognised as the world's greatest oarsman.

The Atlanta Olympics in 1996 saw another GOLD MEDAL triumph for the Pinsent/Redgrave duo and their seemingly invincible combination also brought them SEVEN World Championship Golds throughout the nineties, plus a World Record for the Coxless Pairs in Lucerne (1994) and the Olympic record in Atlanta.

Their unbroken run of successes continued through to the Millennium Olympics in Sydney 2000 when Pinsent and Redgrave (now a Coxless Four with James Cracknell and Tim Foster) again triumphed bringing Pinsent his THIRD OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL (and Redgrave's FIFTH) in the final of the Coxless Four.

Throughout the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Redgrave had consistently praised Pinsent as "the best oarsman in the World" and Pinsent had consistently replied to the often asked question about being in Redgrave's shadow by declaring:- "It's an honour to be there and there's a bright golden light!" Mutual admiration and respect has been the hallmark of this magnificent partnership, which has taken both to the highest level of sporting achievements. Post Sydney, Pinsent has formed a seemingly invincible Coxless Pair partnership with James Cracknell. Undefeated throughout 2001 in all the World Cup races, they went on to complete a unique feat in the history of rowing, by winning the Coxless Pair at the World Championships in Lucerne a mere two hours after winning the Coxed Pairs - a double previously attempted but never achieved by the great Sir Steve Redgrave himself! The stage now seems perfectly set for yet another Olympic victory in Athens 2004.

In 1992, Matthew Pinsent graduated in Geography from St Catherine's College, Oxford, where he was President of the Oxford Rowing Club. He took part in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in 1990 and 1991, when Oxford beat Cambridge by substantial distances.

He is an outstanding motivational speaker and has appeared at a host of official gatherings for our most prestigious companies such as Canada Life, IBM, British Telecom, Nokia, Manulife and Lombard.

Matthew Pinsent was awarded the CBE in the New Years Honours list 2000, which accompanies the MBE he was awarded in the 1993 New Year's Honours List.

Some of Matthew's many rowing achievements include:

Olympic Games
2000 Gold Medal Coxless Four
1996 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
1992 Gold Medal Coxless Pairs

World Championships
2001 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
2001 Gold Medal Coxed Pair
1999 Gold Medal Coxless Four
1998 Gold Medal Coxless Four
1997 Gold Medal Coxless Four
1995 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
1994 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
1993 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
1991 Gold Medal Coxless Pair
1988 Gold Medal Junior Coxless Pair
1989 Bronze Medal - Coxed Four
1987 4th - Junior Men's Eight

Bronze Medal - Coxless Pair - World Cup
2001 World Cup Gold - Coxless Pair
2000 World Cup Gold - Coxless Four
1999 World Cup Gold - Coxless Four
1997 World Cup Gold - Coxless Four

University Boat Race
1991 Winners of University Boat Race for Oxford
1990 Winners of University Boat Race for Oxford

Henley Royal Regatta
2001 "Prince Philip" Coxed Four
2001 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
2000 "Stewards' Cup" Coxless Four
1999 "Stewards' Cup" Coxless Four
1998 "Stewards' Cup" Coxless Four
1997 "Stewards' Cup" Coxless Four
1996 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
1995 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
1994 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
1993 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
1991 "Silver Goblets" Coxless Pair
1990 "Stewards' Cup" Coxless Four

Goodwill Games
1988 Bronze Medal - Coxless Four