Jul 24, 2024 - Olympics

Olympic spotlight: Rower Jessica Thoennes seeks first medal

Esteban L. Hernandez

Photo illustration of a kayaker rowing in abstract water. — Photo illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios; Photo: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Two seconds is all that separated Jessica Thoennes from Olympic glory three years ago.

Zoom in: Thoennes, a rower from Highlands Ranch, took fourth place in the U.S. women's eight-person rowing team in the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Games, missing out on a bronze by a pair of seconds.

Now, Thoennes joins Azja Czajkowski, who's making her Olympic debut in Paris, for another shot at a podium finish — this time for the U.S. women's pair team.

The intrigue: Thoennes, who attended Mountain Vista High School, hadn't rowed before walking on to the team at the University of Washington.

What they're saying: "I've always been scrappy. I've never been the No. 1 … I'm a bit of a stubborn creature and I just keep working at things," Thoennes told the Highlands Ranch Herald about her work ethic, which she credits with getting her to the Olympics.

What's next: Women's pair rowing begins Sunday.

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Olympic spotlight: Rower Jessica Thoennes seeks first medal

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