And so Tokyo 2020 was over, a poignant and emotional regatta without friends and family there, yet soaked in a sense of relief that it could go ahead at all. The world had changed while we were all on hold for the pandemic, leaving some of the old guard behind to hang up their oars while new names took their places: the fifth year made all the difference. New Zealand's M8+ win helped them to the top of an unusually evenly spread medal table, with 18 countries on the podium and 11 different nations claiming gold, but former leaders Great Britain way down the list in 14th without any victories Forty-three medals doled out (don't forget Bruno Rossetti's) in six thrilling days of racing.
A legendary name who did manage to get to Tokyo but then couldn't quite fulfill the dream of leading his young Norwegian quad to the final was Olaf Tufte, now aged 45 and summing up the Olympic odyssey. "We missed out by just a little and that's the brutality of sport, that it's totally honest. If you nail it, it's awesome. If you miss it a little bit you're left behind and it's like nothing. But that's why we like sport." You said it, Olaf. He is retiring for good now — "I have to if I want to keep my family," he said — but the rest of the rowing world will meet again under the Olympic rings in three years’ time. Not long to go.