Newly-appointed Australian women’s head coach John Keogh hopes fellow Tasmanian Kerry Hore will stick around to help guide the next generation of elite rowers.
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Keogh said he was looking forward to talking with the former world champion who competed in her fourth Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I take a keen interest in how she is going because she is Tasmanian and I have nothing but respect for what she has done and can do,” said Launceston-born Keogh, who arrived in Canberra from Canada this week.
“When you have an athlete that has been to four Olympic Games, it’s a truly outstanding level of commitment. My hope is that she goes on to five.
“It would be great if we can have experienced people going on because that helps Australian rowing but obviously she will only be in if the situation suits her and that’s a conversation for a later time.”
Having made three successive Olympic quad four finals, Hore had a disappointing finish to her Rio campaign. She has since been training at the TIS gym in Hobart but has yet to make any career announcement.
With the retirements of multiple Olympians Scott Brennan, Kate Hornsey, Anthony Edwards and Sam Beltz since the 2012 Games in London, Tasmanian rowing has lost a vast pool of experience and sent just Hore and Meaghan Volker to Rio.
“Only having two is not a terrible situation,” said Keogh, a 47-year-old who rowed at North Esk and Tamar.
“I think Tasmanian rowing is in good shape. There are some fantastic athletes there and good support through the TIS and coaches down there.”