The most successful Olympic single scullers in rowing history are the Soviet Union’s Vyatcheslav Ivanov and Finland’s Pertti Karpinnen. Both are three-time Olympic Champions in this Blue Riband event. Ivanov dominated the scene in the late 1950s and 1960s, whereas Karpinnen took the lead in the late 1970s and 1980s. No other athlete has of yet equalled their Olympic results in the men’s single sculls.

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Germany’s Thomas Lange is also positioned in the all-time list of top 20 Olympic male athletes thanks to his two Olympic gold medals (from 1988 and 1992) and one Olympic bronze (from 1996) in the men’s single sculls. In more recent history, Olaf Tufte of Norway has left his own historical imprint on the Olympic scene in this event, winning gold at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and repeating his exploit four years later in Beijing.

Now, with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games just around the corner, the top rivalry in the single continues between Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand and Ondrej Synek of the Czech Republic. Already in the lead up to Beijing 2008 and then continuing on to London 2012, Drysdale and Synek chased each other to the line. The World Championship podiums have featured these two extraordinary single scullers each year since 2005, with hardly any exceptions. The rivalry has now been going on for more than a decade and during this time the two have amassed a total of 17 World Championship medals, with Synek claiming each World Championship title in this Olympic cycle.

Drysdale owns the current World Best Time, which he set at the 2009 World Rowing Championships at 6:33.35, nearly two seconds faster than the one he had set three years prior. At the Olympic level, Synek has claimed two silvers while the reigning Olympic Champion Drysdale also has an Olympic bronze from 2008. If the Kiwi wins gold in Rio, he will belong to the exclusive group of scullers who have become an Olympic Champion in the men’s single more than once. 

All-time dream crew in the men’s single sculls

By Martin Cross

Using more than a century of modern rowing, Martin Cross looks at the sport’s legendary performers and plays selector. This is his pick.

Pertti Karpinnen (FIN)

The giant Finn was only the second man to become a ‘three time’ Olympic singles champion. He won those gold medals in consecutive Olympics from 1976 to 1984. Two of those titles were won from behind – in remarkable sprints – against Peter Michael Kolbe, Germany’s iconic World Champion single sculler.

Videos and Statistics 

London 2012 – Olympic Games 

2015 World Rowing Championships 

2014 World Rowing Championships 

2013 World Rowing Championships 

World Best Times – Historical Evolution (M1x)

Olympic Best Times – Historical Evolution (M1x)

Olympic Qualification