James McRae

James McRae (born 27 June 1987) [http://www.rowingaustralia.com.au/hp_athletes_profiles_mcrae-j.shtm] is an Australian Olympic rower who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the men's quad scull. [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24075624-5017051,00.html] McRae grew up in Murray Bridge South Australia where he rowed for the Murray Bridge Rowing Club. [http://murraybridge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/sport/rowing/on-course-for-beijing/760292.aspx] McRae is a South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Scholarship holder and is coached by Adrian David SASI head rowing coach and ex Romanian international oarsman. [http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/sasi/rowing.html#2]

McRae competed with Matt Bolt in the double scull at the 2005 Junior World Rowing Championships. [http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/world-jr-championships/2005-photos/pages/2005-MJ2x.html] McRae's siblings Jessica and Anna are Australian rowers who have held various SASI scholarships and Australian titles. [http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/interstate-championships/2005.html] [http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/sasi/rowing.html] Anna McRae has also competed internationally for Australia. [http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/world-u23-championships/2005-Amsterdam.php]

In McRae's first competition at the Beijing Olympics, the Australian quad scull broke the world record to finish first in their heat. McRae competed with Daniel Noonan, Brendan Long and Chris Morgan. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/rowing/aussie-scullers-break-world-record/2008/08/10/1218306659192.html] McRae and his crew subsequently finished second in the semi-final thus securing a place in the Olympic finals. [http://www.olympics.com.au/ScheduleAndResults/AustralianResults/tabid/367/Default.aspx?link=367&disccode=RO&]

At the finals of the men's quad sculls the Australian crew including McRae was unable to capitalise on their earlier world record form and finished 4th. [http://stats.cbc.ca/olympics_results.asp?id=rom_042100&sport=ROW]

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