The road to an Olympic gold medal: A conversation with Richard Schmidt, Germany's most successful rower
Richard Schmidt is recognized as one of the most successful rowers of all time - a true champion who has won medals at the Olympics, World- and European Championships with his tireless dedication and passion. In this interview, Richard takes us through the highlights of his extraordinary career, shares the intense experiences and nerves of the Olympic Games and gives an insight into the hard work behind the successes. But that's not all: Richard also talks to us about his post-career, his work at Wilo and the importance of hydrogen as the energy source of the future.
You are considered one of the most successful rowers of all time. Is that true?
It's difficult to answer that. I was part of the eight for twelve years and had a very successful time. But the successes are never an individual achievement, but those of the whole team. I had a great team around me and together we achieved these successes.
The list of your successes is impressive: three Olympic medals, six world championship titles, nine European championship titles. How much work goes into winning an Olympic title?
Most people only see the race itself and how exciting and exhausting it is. But the real work is the years of preparation. People talk about four-year cycles, but to really get to the Olympics, you start very early. I started rowing when I was eight or nine and then gradually got into competitive sport. At 15 or 16, it gets serious and you start training intensively. When I became an Olympic champion at 25, I had already put in at least 10 to 15 years of training.
"Most people only see the race itself and how exciting and exhausting it is. But the real work is the years of preparation."
How did you get into rowing and what motivates young talents to take up the sport?
I got into rowing through friends at school. It was a natural progression within the club. Originally I also played handball, but I quickly became successful at rowing. Of course, you don't become a millionaire in rowing, but the goal was always to be successful and maybe reach the Olympics. You set yourself new goals every year and they get higher and higher. If you really want to get rich, you should probably play football or basketball. But rowing is a great sport that I still enjoy today.
The German men's eight is considered a medal guarantee. How do you deal with the high expectations?
The Olympics are something very special, with the Olympic village and athletes from all over the world. It only takes place every four years, so the pressure is enormous. Especially in 2012, the pressure we put on ourselves was very intense. We had won everything and were determined to win the last race as well. Luckily it worked out, but the pressure is definitely there. You learn to deal with it, especially in a team where everyone supports each other.
Take us to the Olympic final. You're in the boat, the competition is fierce, the situation is tense. How does that feel?
Before the race, it feels like any other race. We have our routines, prepare the boat and the equipment, warm up. But as soon as we sit in the boat and set off, you can feel the special atmosphere. I was extremely nervous in 2012, in 2021 too. The nervousness helps to increase concentration and maximise performance.
Why were you particularly nervous at these two Olympic Games?
The high probability of winning increased the pressure. You don't want to make any mistakes and fulfil your dream. Nervousness leads to more concentration and performance, which ultimately helped us.
When do you realise in the race that victory is certain?
In the last 300-400 metres, it became clear that the English men's eight couldn't keep up. When we crossed the finish line, it was a load off my mind. The real realisation of the Olympic victory didn't come until three to four weeks later.
About the Olympics in general: how was the atmosphere in the Olympic village and did you have time to watch other competitions?
As the rowing competitions take place in the first week, we had time to visit other competitions in the second week in 2012. That was great because we had access to all the events. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible in Tokyo because of corona. The Olympic village is impressive with 10,000 to 11,000 athletes from different nations. People meet in the canteen and chat. The whole setting is simply fascinating.
You ended your active career in 2021. How did you manage the transition from active athlete to professional career?
For me, the combination of sport, family and university was a good balance. Training two or three times a day can be very monotonous, so the academic work was a welcome change. It was also important for me to prepare for life after my sporting career. I did a doctorate in energy technology and specialised in hydrogen. Now I'm working on sustainable energy solutions at Wilo.
Wilo is a pioneer in sustainability. What does your work there look like?
I am Head of research and development in the field of hydrogen. We have set up a pilot plant that converts surplus PV electricity into hydrogen and uses it to store energy. We sell these solutions worldwide. Sustainability and corporate responsibility are very important to me and I am proud to be part of a company that thinks and acts in this direction.
How do you see the future of hydrogen in the energy supply?
Hydrogen will play an important role in achieving the energy transition and producing CO2-neutral products. We offer solutions for efficiently storing and utilising surplus electricity. Demand is high and we are optimistic that this technology will continue to develop over the next few years.
"Hydrogen will play an important role in achieving the energy transition and producing CO2-neutral products."
What challenges do you see in the realisation of hydrogen projects and how is Wilo dealing with them?
One of the biggest challenges is the infrastructure. Hydrogen must be produced, stored and transported safely. In addition, costs must be reduced in order to be competitive. Wilo is investing heavily in research and development in order to develop more efficient and cost-effective solutions. We are also working closely with partners and governments to create the necessary framework conditions.
What role does innovation play in your work and how does Wilo promote it?
Innovation is the key to sustainable energy solutions. At Wilo, we promote a culture of innovation by bringing together interdisciplinary teams and facilitating an open exchange of ideas. We utilise state-of-the-art technologies and invest in new materials and processes to constantly improve the efficiency of our systems.
Wilo has been a sponsor of Team German Men's Eight for many years. How is your contact with the team today?
I am happy to be able to support the eight as a contact person at Wilo. I have close contact with the athletes and meet them regularly. I also train at the base to stay fit and keep in touch.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to continue working in the field of sustainable energy solutions and make my contribution to the energy transition. At the same time, I will stay involved in rowing and support young talent. It is important to promote young talent and teach them the values of the sport.
