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Aquil Abdullah became the first Black man to represent the United States at an Olympic rowing event when he qualified in the M2x in 2004. We paired him with Olympic hopeful John Olbrys (Potomac Boat Club) whose sights are set on the Tokyo Olympic trials. Both have deep roots in the Washington, D.C. region. 

Aquil’s path to the Olympics started at Woodrow Wilson high school and an offer of a rowing scholarship (and his mother’s influence) sealed his acceptance to George Washington University. He now lives with his family outside of Boston, and is working to make the sport more inclusive through several initiatives. In 2019, Aquil joined Hydrow as a featured athlete.

Olympic hopeful John Olbrys learned to row in high school, and crammed rowing into his schedule at the Coast Guard Academy. He is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and training for the Tokyo Olympic trials. He is an out and proud LGBT rower at Potomac Boat Club. 

Stick around after the interview for the Best Part of Your Rowing Week segment, with call-ins from:

• Coach Holly Davy - Halifax Rowing Club | Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Rita - Conibear Rowing Club | Seattle, WA

• Aaron - Vashon Island, WA

• Carin Wiggins - The Black Coxswain (IG @theblackcoxswain)

Episode 9 Mentions:

Baked and Wired
Booeymonger
Baltimore Community Rowing
Coach Barrett Weiser
Coach Gus McKay
DC Strokes Rowing Club
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Emily Schmieg
George Washington University

Jamie Koven
Ken Dreyfus
Model Congress
Model UN
National Day of Silence
Potomac Boat Club
Rowing in Color podcast
Social Distortion

Steve Tucker
Stonewall Regatta
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
U.S. National Team
USRowing Masters Nationals
USRowing Club Nationals
Wakefield High School
Woodrow Wilson High School

Created & Produced by: Rachel Freedman & Tara Morgan
Hosted by: Rachel Freedman & Tara Morgan
Edited by: Tara Morgan
Website & Social Media by: Rachel Freedman