Top Rower's Divine Inspiration

Team GB’s rowing team have enjoyed another excellent Olympics- bagging 4 Golds, 2 Silvers and 3 bronzes, once again cementing their status as one the World’s best rowing nations.

Silver medallist Richard Chambers

Brothers Richard and Peter Chambers became the first brothers since Greg and Jonny Searle in 1996 to win an Olympic medal when they earned silver in the Men’s lightweight four alongside Chris Bartley and Rob Williams, being pipped to Gold by the South African four.

Elder brother Richard took up rowing at 14 because he wasn’t any good at Cricket, Rugby or running. It was love at first sight: “It's such an addictive sport, and I absolutely loved it from the start”.

The Belfast- born stars CV makes impressive reading: silver and gold in the Men’s U23 in the Lightweight men’s Quadruple Scull and the Lightweight men’s pairs respectively, followed by Gold medals in the Men's 2007 and 2010 Lightweight Four World Championships then a bronze in the 2011 World Championships.

The only real lowlight being a disappointing 5th place finish in Beijing in 2008.

Raised in a Christian home the 27 year-old came to faith when he was 8 years-old and since then has sought to follow his Saviour: “I cannot pinpoint a moment when I decided to follow Jesus- probably about eight years old. But, as I have grown older, I have learned more about what He wants me to do and what it takes to be a follower. I still follow Him and try to be the best I can for Him.”

Being known as a follower of Christ within his team is fundamental to him: “I’m a Christian in a rowing team and that’s how I want to be recognized. Being a Christian in Team GB has its difficulties, but knowing God is always there supporting and helping me is great.”

Richard Chambers- shining for Christ in London 2012.