Christopher Liwski
Encyclopedia
Christopher Liwski (born 21 April 1980 in Montreal
, Quebec
, Canada
) is an American rower, a double world championship medal winner, and a two-time member of the United States Olympic Rowing Team.
as an undergraduate. He then began his legal education at the Syracuse University College of Law
, before enrolling in St Catherine's College of Oxford University, where he undertook a Master of Science degree in Water Science, Policy and Management. Liwski then returned to the U.S. where he completed his law degree at Boston College Law School
.
Eight, which came fourth in the final World Cup event before the Athens Olympics
, but acted as the Olympic team spare by the time the crew went onto win Gold in Athens. A year later he competed internationally again, this time at the World Cup event at Dorney Lake, Eton. Liwski, and Oxford crewmate Michael Blomquist
, finished ninth there in the coxless pair
.
In 2006 Liwski competed at the World Championships rowing at the five seat in the United States
Eight, which won a bronze medal behind Germany and Italy. Competing again at the 2007 World Championships, Liwski stroked the four with coxswain to a gold medal.
In 2008 after a difficult year of team selection, Liwski was once again named as alternate on the men's sweep team for the Beijing Olympics
.
and took part in the Boat Race in 2005, marking the 151st racing of the prestigious annual event. Both universities had extremely strong intakes that year, with Cambridge
boasting several world champions and the Oxford crew including Olympic silver medallist Barney Williams
, and now famed British oarsmen Andrew Triggs-Hodge
and Peter Reed
. Oxford, with Liwski in the five seat, won the contest by two lengths in a time of 16 minutes 42 seconds. To date, the 2005 Oxford Blue Boat marks the heaviest crew weight of all time.
Also, just hours after competing in the 2005 World Cup event at Dorney Lake
, Eton
, Chris made a guest appearance in St Catherine's College
first VIII, which was competing in the Oxford University Summer Eights. He was joined in that crew by fellow international competitors Andrew Triggs-Hodge
and Colin Smith
. They easily defeated their opposition, Hertford College.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
) is an American rower, a double world championship medal winner, and a two-time member of the United States Olympic Rowing Team.
Education
Liwski attended Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
as an undergraduate. He then began his legal education at the Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse University College of Law , founded in 1895, is a Juris Doctor degree-granting law school of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. It is one of only four law schools in Upstate New York Syracuse University College of Law (SUCOL), founded in 1895, is a Juris Doctor degree-granting law...
, before enrolling in St Catherine's College of Oxford University, where he undertook a Master of Science degree in Water Science, Policy and Management. Liwski then returned to the U.S. where he completed his law degree at Boston College Law School
Boston College Law School
Boston College Law School is one of the six professional graduate schools at Boston College. Located approximately 1.5 miles from the main Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill, Boston College Law School is situated on a wooded campus in Newton, Massachusetts.With approximately 800 students and...
.
International rowing career
Liwski won his first international gold medal in 2002 at the three seat of the United States Eight in the Nations Cup World Championships. He then won gold again in the United States Eight at the 2003 Pan-American Games. Liwski sat in the five seat of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Eight, which came fourth in the final World Cup event before the Athens Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
, but acted as the Olympic team spare by the time the crew went onto win Gold in Athens. A year later he competed internationally again, this time at the World Cup event at Dorney Lake, Eton. Liwski, and Oxford crewmate Michael Blomquist
Michael Blomquist
Michael Blomquist is an American rower and a former World Champion.- Education :Mike was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University...
, finished ninth there in the coxless pair
Coxless pair
A Coxless pair is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for two rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars.The crew consists of a pair of rowers, each having one oar, one on the stroke side and one on the bow side...
.
In 2006 Liwski competed at the World Championships rowing at the five seat in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Eight, which won a bronze medal behind Germany and Italy. Competing again at the 2007 World Championships, Liwski stroked the four with coxswain to a gold medal.
In 2008 after a difficult year of team selection, Liwski was once again named as alternate on the men's sweep team for the Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
Olympics
- Beijing Olympics2008 Summer OlympicsThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
– Team Member (alternate) - Athens Olympics2004 Summer OlympicsThe 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
– Team Member (alternate)
World Championships
- 2007 MunichMunichMunich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
– Gold, US 4+ (Stroke) - 2006 EtonDorney LakeDorney Lake is a purpose-built rowing lake in the United Kingdom. It is located at grid reference near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, and near the towns of Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. The lake is privately owned and financed by Eton College, who have spent £17 million...
– Bronze, US 8+ (Five)
International competition
- 2003 Pan American GamesPan American GamesThe Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
– Gold, US 8+ (Five); 4th, US 2- (Bow) - 2002 Under-23 World Championships – Gold, US 8+ (Three)
The Boat Race
Whilst at Oxford University, Liwski was a member of Oxford University Boat ClubOxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
and took part in the Boat Race in 2005, marking the 151st racing of the prestigious annual event. Both universities had extremely strong intakes that year, with Cambridge
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
boasting several world champions and the Oxford crew including Olympic silver medallist Barney Williams
Barney Williams
Barney Guillermo Williams is a Canadian rower. He was educated at Upper Canada College, the University of Victoria and then at Jesus College, University of Oxford where he was President of the Oxford University Boat Club.He won a gold medal at the 2003 world championships in Milan, Italy and a...
, and now famed British oarsmen Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE is a British rower and an Olympic and double World Champion.- Education :...
and Peter Reed
Peter Reed
Peter Reed may refer to:* Peter Reed , British Olympic gold medallist rower.* Peter Reed , Australian criminal convicted for his part in the Russell Street BombingSee also:* Peter Reid, British football player and manager...
. Oxford, with Liwski in the five seat, won the contest by two lengths in a time of 16 minutes 42 seconds. To date, the 2005 Oxford Blue Boat marks the heaviest crew weight of all time.
Other rowing
Liwski rowed for the Syracuse University Crew for four years as an undergraduate and was the recipient of the David Godfrey Award in his senior year.Also, just hours after competing in the 2005 World Cup event at Dorney Lake
Dorney Lake
Dorney Lake is a purpose-built rowing lake in the United Kingdom. It is located at grid reference near the village of Dorney, Buckinghamshire, and near the towns of Windsor and Eton, close to the River Thames. The lake is privately owned and financed by Eton College, who have spent £17 million...
, Eton
Eton, Berkshire
Eton is a town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, lying on the opposite bank of the River Thames to Windsor and connected to it by Windsor Bridge. The parish also includes the large village of Eton Wick, 2 miles west of the town, and has a population of 4,980. Eton was in Buckinghamshire until...
, Chris made a guest appearance in St Catherine's College
St Catherine's College, Oxford
St Catherine's College, often called Catz, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its motto is Nova et Vetera...
first VIII, which was competing in the Oxford University Summer Eights. He was joined in that crew by fellow international competitors Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE is a British rower and an Olympic and double World Champion.- Education :...
and Colin Smith
Colin Smith (rower)
Colin Smith is a British rower, Olympic silver medallist and three times an Oxford Blue.-Education:...
. They easily defeated their opposition, Hertford College.