VAIRES-SUR-MARNE, France − Michael Grady bent down, bowed his head with a folded American flag under his right arm, closed his eyes, and did his best to contain the emotion.

It had been 64 years since Team USA had won the Olympic men's four rowing event, after all, so forgive him if the moment got the better of him. Grady, Nick Mead, Justin Best and Liam Corrigan rowed to gold Thursday at the Paris Olympics in the men's four finals with an incredible clocking of 5:49.03, holding off New Zealand (silver) by less than a second (5:49.88), and Great Britain (bronze, 5:52.42). And Grady just needed a minute to take it all in.

"I was trying to get back on my feet. There have been a lot of emotions that've gone through my head already. A few tears almost came out," Grady said. "I can say I held them back − not toxic masculinity or anything − but it's really an emotional moment to be able to represent the USA on the highest stage and walk away in the most successful position. Not a lot of people can say that."

With Mead in the bow position and Corrigan at the stroke, the group broke out to an early lead and never relinquished it, holding the lead at every 500-meter check of the 2,000-meter race. It was a measure of redemption, as the Tokyo Games in 2021 had marked the first Olympics rowing history that Team USA failed to win any medals. The gold is the first for the USA in the men's fours since the Rome Games in 1960. That wasn't lost on Grady, who mentioned the 64-year men's four drought in his post-race remarks.

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Last September, Great Britain beat Team USA's foursome to win the gold medal at the 2023 Rowing World Championships, but with a medal at stake Thursday, the British favorites got off to a slow start and were rowing in last place after the first 500 meters. Great Britain recovered to reach third place with 500 meters remaining, but could make up no more ground than that against an American crew that was sharp from the start. It was New Zealand that provided the greater threat on Thursday, and Corrigan chose the right moment to stave it off.

"We have a call. Liam said the word 'red.' And when you make that call red, you see red," said Best. "You (row) with some of the bigger strokes that you take in the race. It's not necessarily the smartest race plan to do, but it's something psychology-wise … we all trusted each other to make that move together."

Rowers navigated relatively calm waters at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, roughly a 20-mile drive east of Paris, which was built for the Paris Games and is also hosting the canoe-kayak events. Team USA also competed in medal rows Thursday in the men's double sculls and women's four competitions, both finishing off the podium.

Rowing at the Paris Games consists of seven events each for men and women. Through preliminary heats, Team USA qualified for Thursday's Finals A competition, which determines medal winners, in three events: men's double sculls, women's four, and men's four. Remaining medal competition in rowing continues Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, Team USA's Jess Thoennes and Azja Czajkowski will aim for a medal in the women's pair event, while Molly Reckford and Michelle Sechser are in the medal race in the lightweight women's double sculls race.

Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at [email protected]. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.

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