Retiring Rower Overwhelmed By Gratitude

Shortly before the Paris Paralympics, Jed Altschwager, in a video for Paralympics Australia’s ‘Imagine’ series, said that whatever the outcome in their big rowing race at the Games, he would say a heartfelt thank you to his crewmate Nikki Ayers.  

“Nikki made an amazing sacrifice to be able to move down here to Adelaide,” he said of Ayers’ move from Canberra so they could train together.  

“It’s been incredible and helped us a lot.” 

Ayers’ re-location to Adelaide, where Altschwager lived with his wife and two kids, Wolf and Aspen, occurred shortly after the selection trials in 2023, a few months after the friends started rowing together in the PR3 mixed double scull, a new boat class introduced for Paris 2024.  

It was a good move. Throughout 2023 and into the Paralympic year, the duo was unstoppable. 

“[It] was a big year as our first year together in the double, racing internationally, laying it all out there,” Altschwager said in the video.  

“It was an amazing year. From the World Cup to world’s best time, and then World Champs; to be able to show the world what we can do. Really, what we’ve been able to do is create an environment for ourselves to be open and free, feel safe, and the results are doing what they’re doing.” 

As he moves into retirement from competitive rowing, Altschwager can add a few more incredible achievements to his and Ayers’ honour roll: World Rowing’s Para-rowing Crew of the Year, Paralympic gold medallists (Australia’s first in rowing) and Paralympics Australia’s Team of the Year, to name the biggies.  

Yet, displaying an aspect of the qualities that have made him an Australian Paralympic Team favourite, Altschwager’s thoughts turned to those who helped him chase and realise his dream. 

“It’s hard to put all the words out on the table, all the emotions, all the feelings,” he told Rowing Australia.  

“I can’t express my gratitude enough to the people that have helped me along my journey, that have been along for the ride. 

“People close to me and people that I have connected with along the way… Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin offered Altschwager a similar sentiment.  

“Jed and Nikki brought so much to the team in Paris,” McLoughlin said.  

“Of course, they won Australia’s first rowing gold medal. It’s an achievement they’ll always have, and it’s been wonderful to see them receive so many deserved accolades since the Games. 

“But, beyond winning a gold medal, they were fantastic team members. They were a great example of positivity and team spirit, uplifting everyone around them and truly embodying the values of our Paralympic athletes.  

“On behalf of the team, thank you to Jed for your amazing contribution to Australia’s Paralympic story.”  

Watching that video now, four months since the Paris Paralympics, brings a smile to the face.  

“Win, lose or draw,” Altschwager says at one point. “At the end of that two k, I’m going to turn around with the tears in my eyes and give Nikki a hug and say thank you so much for the last two years…” 

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 6 December, 2024.