Legacy medal awarded to New Zealand's oldest living Olympian
Published on 28 September 2023
Joint media release between Whanganui District Council and Whanganui Rowing Association
The New Zealand Rowing Foundation, in conjunction with Rowing New Zealand, is proudly presenting legacy medals to all athletes who have represented New Zealand at either the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games or Senior World Championships. Aramoho-Whanganui Rowing Club and the Whanganui Rowing Association are set to host the next legacy medal presentation event on Friday 29 September, from 3pm to 5pm.
Friday’s event will celebrate the life of Reginald (Reg) Douglas, New Zealand's oldest living Olympian and will commemorate the legacy of four rowing athletes from the 1950s era.
“The event will be an opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions made by these former elite rowers from the 1950s and Reg Douglas, who achieved fame as a finalist in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Rowing event,” says Philippa Baker-Hogan, President of the Whanganui Rowing Association.
“Reg Douglas, at the age of 93, stands as a living testament to the enduring spirit of Olympic competition. The highlight of the event will be the presentation of legacy medals to the families of the four former rowers – also fellow teammates of Reg - acknowledging their remarkable achievements in the world of rowing. These medals serve as a lasting reminder of their dedication and excellence in their sport.”
The event will also recognise the accomplishments of Max Brown in kayaking and Chris Harris in rowing, both of whom represented New Zealand at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mayor Andrew Tripe will present them with Whisper trophies, designed by local glass artist Katie Brown.
Nearly 450 rowers have represented New Zealand over the past 120 years at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games or Senior World Championships, and NZ Rowing has presented medals or trophies to nearly 160 of these athletes. The legacy programme is an initiative created to acknowledge and honour all elite New Zealand rowers who have competed at major international regattas.
The event is invite only.