BY DYLAN DE JONG 

In the build-up to this year’s Olympic Games, Nhill’s world champion rower Lucy Stephan had her focus firmly set on winning gold. 

At the outset of the pandemic the two-time world champion was forced to abandon her training grounds in Penrith, New South Wales, where she was preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics – originally set to go ahead in July.  

Now with Tokyo 2020 out of the question until July next year, the rowing export will have an extra year to prepare.  

Stephan said despite the cancellation, the thought of rowing at the Olympics was still at the front of her mind. 

“For me, with the Olympics being postponed, it’s just about finding a way to get better, fitter and stronger. I’m taking this as an opportunity and not a deterrent,” she said. 

“With the Olympics only three or four months away we were giving it a fair nudge – we’re now training a bit lighter. 

“I’m just making sure I’ll be in the best physical shape for Tokyo in 14 months’ time.”

For Stephan, Tokyo will serve as a platform to prove herself on the world stage once again.

The Australian women’s eight rowing team qualified for Rio 2016 Olympics on a countback, following Russia withdrawing several teams in the wake of a doping controversy. 

The unexpected news meant the team only had a few weeks to get to Rio and compete. 

Stephan said although she was not as prepared as she would have liked, she learned some valuable lessons she would take on to Tokyo. 

“I learnt a lot from Rio, but I wasn’t as fit as I could have been, so I’ve taken that experience into the next four years with me,” she said. 

“It’s a highly competitive environment. Our plan was to go to the Tokyo Olympics and win a couple of gold medals, and that definitely hasn’t changed.”  

She said while in self-isolation at her boyfriend’s house in central Victoria, she had been doing anything she could to continue her training. 

“I wanted to be around water and around my boyfriend, Nick. This was a good opportunity to not do long distance anymore and it just worked out that he lives in Nagambie, which is a rowing hub in Victoria,” she said. 

“I’ve borrowed equipment, weights, an erg and a bike – I’ve got my own little gym set up.” 

Stephan said beyond Tokyo she hoped to continue to 2024 Olympics. 

“I haven’t ruled out 2024, but I’m at the age where I could do other things. I’m determined to make it through the next 14 months to perform and hopefully win a gold medal,” she said.

Late start

Stephan did not discover rowing until her senior years at Ballarat Grammar. 

She said in years 11 and 12 she would travel once a week to Geelong to participate at one of the rowing clubs there. 

“When I was growing up in Nhill, there wasn’t enough water in the river, you couldn’t row on it,” she said. 

“I was given the opportunity to row because I went to boarding school. 

“But if I wanted to row it wasn’t even in Ballarat, there was no water in the lake. I had to hop on a bus and go to Geelong.” 

She said she believed her country upbringing in Nhill is what drove her to succeed in the sport. 

“Being a country kid, we’re bred tough. That definitely shows in our work ethic in how we train – it’s just something that’s bred into us so naturally,” she said. 

“There’s a lot to do with natural talent – but usually the one who trains the hardest and has that raw grit and mongrel in them will go far.” 

Stephan said it was a tough road getting to an elite level, but she owed her success to her family and friends. 

“It hasn’t just come from me working hard, I’ve had the support from my family and friends. Along the journey of life, you meet people who will help you to achieve,” she said.

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