Malcolm's Story
1947 – 2014
Malcolm Shaw competed at the 1972 Munich Games in the Men’s Eight crew and rowed the heat in the same event four years later at Montreal, before injury forced him out of the final.
Shaw, competing for Mosman Rowing Club in Sydney, was part of the NSW crew that won the Kings Cup (Men’s Eight National title) in 1972 and the crew was selected to be the Olympic crew.
Shaw rowed in the Bow seat at the Games and the crew placed eighth, with New Zealand taking the gold. The Australians finished fourth in a tough heat, won their repechage and finished a close fourth in their semi-final. They eventually placed second in the B Final.
Four years later NSW again won the Kings Cup and Shaw selected in the Eight for his second Games. After trialling of seats and good pre-Olympic regattas the Australian crew won their heat to progress straight to the final, despite having steering problems in the strong winds.
However disaster struck. Shaw suffered a severe back injury in the heat. He was given 48 hours off before training again but was unable to take his place in the final. He was replaced by Peter Shakespeare. Despite the late crew change Australia finished a creditable fifth. The New Zealand crew who Australia defeated in their heat won bronze in the final. (With thanks http://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/)
