Koen Metsemakers has ended his rowing career. He became Olympic champion last summer with the quadruple sculls, as he did in 2021 in Tokyo. Previously, Tone Wieten had already retired from the same boat.
The 33-year-old Metsemakers became Olympic champion in 2021 with Abe Wiersma, Dirk Uittenbogaard, and Wieten. He also won gold last year with Wieten. Then Lennart van Lierop and Finn Florijn completed the boat.
In March, the 31-year-old Wieten had already decided not to continue his top-level sports career. Van Lierop and Florijn remain active as rowers. Florijn is the brother of Karolien Florijn, who won gold in the single sculls in Paris.
“Actually, we have the best of both worlds,” Metsemakers said last year after winning gold. “Tone and I provide stability and confidence, because we were already very well attuned to each other. And then two new guests come along who do a fantastic job. We could rebuild the whole project from scratch once again. That has been a fantastic process.”
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Quadruple sculls row to first Dutch medal in Paris
Metsemakers also became world champion twice, in 2019 and in 2023. “I am proud of what we have achieved and now it is time for a new chapter,” says Metsemakers. In September he will start working as an oral surgeon.
The next major rowing tournament will be held in Shanghai in September. The world championships will be held from 21 to 28 September.