Two-time Olympian John Collins announces retirement
After a career in rowing spanning 20 years, John Collins is retiring from the GB Rowing Team
John was encouraged to try rowing by his father, Philip, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. He continued in the sport and made his international debut in 2010 at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships in Brest, Belarus, racing in the Men’s quadruple sculls (M4x) with Jonny Walton, Nick Middleton and Jack Hockley.
He would go on to win a silver medal at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota, Florida, again in the Men’s quad, alongside Jack Beaumont, Jonny Walton and Graeme Thomas. A talented sculler, John also won several medals at World Cup events throughout his career.
John made his Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, finishing fifth in the Men’s double sculls (M2x) with Jonny Walton. During the Tokyo cycle he was paired with Graeme Thomas. This double combination won bronze at the 2021 European Championships in Varese and finished fourth in a tight race at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
After the Tokyo Olympics, John and his friend Dr Kevin Dutton became the first people to navigate the metro system of a major city on foot, in one go. After running all 320 miles to all stations on the London Underground and Docklands Light Railway, they then ran the London Marathon. This was in aid of a homeless charity, and so the pair ‘slept rough’ between the days of running. Now retired from international rowing, John and Kevin plan to do the New York Metro system and Marathon.
John is well respected amongst the GB Rowing Team and within the rowing community. In 2022 he was voted as an ‘athlete representative’ by his peers and was also Club Captain at Leander from 2021-2023. John began dating Rio silver medallist Karen Bennett, also a rower on the team, in 2016 and they are now proud parents to Jessie, a cocker spaniel puppy.
On his decision to retire, John said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of this team. I’ve spent my days hanging out with some of the most impressive people, chasing our dreams together. Some of the people I’ve met along the way I consider family now. I will be eternally grateful for both the good and bad times this sport has given me. It has been a wild ride.”
Paul Stannard, GB Rowing Team Men’s Olympic Head Coach said: “Having coached John since 2010 it has been a privilege to work with someone who is so motivated and passionate about his chosen sport. John is a fierce competitor with a strong moral code and I know he will be able to transfer many of the traits that have made him a successful international athlete into his ventures in the future.”
