After 25 years, Australian Olympic legend, and all-round top bloke, James Tomkins, is packing away his oars. On the day of his 45th birthday, he thought it appropriate to make his announcement on Melbourne Radio SEN.
After recent chats with Mick Malthouse (Collingwood coach) and former AFL coach David Parkin, Tomkins felt ready to call it a day.
Tomkins first made an Australian team (the 8) back in 1985, and since in either 8s, coxless 4s or coxless pairs, has represented Australia in the 6 Olympiads from Seoul 1988 to Beijing 2008.
In 2008, Tomkins was the Australian team flag bearer. He walks away with a swag of Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth medals amongst other achievements too numerous to mention here.
He was also Victorian father of the year in 2008, and has appeared on TV’s Dancing with the Stars, as well as being a longstanding ‘star’ of Goulburn Valley fruit ads.
He’s been a fine ambassador for his sport and his nation.
sheek
Guest
Michael C, Why don't you highlight his Olympic & world championships achievements (& medals won). Save a tragic like me having to do it!
Michael C
Roar Guru
he did say that the big thing was that given, like cycling, that it's a 'weight bearing' sport - that he hadn't had the wear and tear - and so it really came down to the drive to do it. Many former footballers of any code perhaps look to someone making that comment and reflect upon their bung hips, bung ankles and bung knees...... ;-)
Brett McKay
Guest
nice tribute MC. I said this about Ric Charlesworth last week, but it equally applies to James Tomkins - he just strikes me as the sort of bloke you'd like to have a beer with, and that perhaps, is the ultimate compliment you could pay an Australian sporting legend. That Tomkins could keep going for as long as he did at the top level says a lot for him determination and drive. It's hard to see him not being part of Commonwealth or Olympic Games teams in some capacity in the coming years. Kudos James, kudos indeed..