Jurgen Grobler receives honoray OBE from Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell
Olympic rowing coach Jurgen Grobler was today presented with an honorary Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell for his contribution to British sport. Mr Grobler has led the British men's rowing team to unprecedented success since becoming chief coach in 1992. He has coached gold medal crews in each of the last four Olympics, including the pair of Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent at the Barcelona (1992) and Atlanta (1996) games.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Olympic rowing coach Jurgen Grobler was today presented with an honorary Order of the British Empire ( OBE ) by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell for his contribution to British sport.
Mr Grobler has led the British men's rowing team to unprecedented success since becoming chief coach in 1992. He has coached gold medal crews in each of the last four Olympics, including the pair of Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent at the Barcelona ( 1992 ) and Atlanta ( 1996 ) games.
Mr Grobler was also at the helm at the Sydney Olympics of 2000, when Steve Redgrave won his historic fifth gold medal in the men's four event. He also coached the men's four to gold in Athens, four years later.
Tessa Jowell said:
"It gives me great pleasure to present Mr Grobler with this award. He has inspired a generation of British rowers to unprecedented success and helped to raise the profile of the sport immeasurably in this country."
Mr Grobler, who attended the presentation with his family, said:
"I am extremely honoured and am very grateful to receive the OBE. It is a proud moment for me and my family.
"I will continue to do my best for the British rowing team and to build on its successes to win more medals at major championships and Olympic Games."
Notes to editors
1. Jurgen Grobler was born in Magdeburg, Germany in 1946.
2. Mr Grobler came to the UK in 1991 to take up the position of chief coach for the Leander club.
3. The following year, Mr Grobler was appointed as chief coach for the British men's team.
4. Mr Grobler's record as coach has been outstanding; leading the men's pair to gold medals at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics, and the men's four to gold medals at the Sydney and Athens Olympics.
5. Mr Grobler won the BBC TV's coach of the year award in the year 2000
6. Mr Grobler currently lives with his wife in Henley-on-Thames.
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