Rowing: Pair wins bronze – drama surrounding German foursome

He feels “a rainbow of emotions, but it is not disappointment,” said Helmich, who competes with a clubfoot: “We definitely won bronze and did not lose silver.” Of course, as a competitive athlete you always strive for greater things, but she is “still incredibly proud,” said the visually impaired Krumbein: “Looking back over the last few years, this jump to bronze is insane.”

For the rower, it was only the second Paralympics medal after silver in London in 2012. However, 21 minutes later, the highly touted rowing four, led by two-time Olympic participant Kathrin Marchand, suffered a bitter disappointment, finishing fourth in a photo finish with hosts France, ultimately missing out on the podium by just six hundredths of a second.

Helmich and Krumbein rowed under the watchful eyes of IPC President Andrew Parsons and DBS boss Friedhelm Julius Beucher to the greatest success of their careers after winning silver at the European Championships in April. “That was so strong, an incredible sporting achievement,” Beucher told SID and proudly waved the German flag: “Third place and a sniff of the silver medal, that's really strong.”

The mixed boat with Marchand, Susanne Lackner, Valentin Luz and Marc Lembeck as well as helmswoman Inga Thöne reached the finish in 7:03.17 minutes. Great Britain, the USA and France were too strong. London and Rio Olympian Marchand suffered a stroke exactly three years ago on September 1, 2021, and had since won World Championship silver and bronze with the foursome. “We had a few uncertainties in the final spurt,” said Lembeck: “Two or three strokes that are not exactly right are enough. Then you are a few centimeters behind.”

In the singles, Markus Klemp had previously finished seventh in the final standings after winning the B final.