Born: 1978 (Hastings, New Zealand)
Biography:
Caroline Evers-Swindell, born Caroline Frances Meyer, is a former New Zealand rower who gained recognition for her achievements in the sport. She was born on October 10, 1978, in Hastings, New Zealand. Caroline is best known for competing in the double sculls alongside her identical twin sister, Georgina Evers-Swindell.
Caroline and Georgina narrowly missed qualifying for the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney. In a crucial race in Lucerne, where they had to secure a second-place finish, they came in third. Undeterred by this setback, Caroline continued to train and improve her skills.
In 2001, Caroline won silver at the World Championships in both the double and quadruple sculls events. The following years proved to be groundbreaking for Caroline and her sister as they secured consecutive gold medals at the 2002 and 2003 World Rowing Championships in the double sculls category. These successes were a testament to their dedication and synchronized rowing abilities.
The pinnacle of Caroline’s career came in 2004 when she, alongside her sister, clinched the Olympic gold medal. Their exceptional teamwork and formidable rowing prowess made them formidable opponents on the international stage. Caroline was coached by Dick Tonks and represented the Hamilton Rowing Club throughout her career.
Caroline’s exceptional contributions to rowing were duly recognized when she was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year Honours. This accolade was a testament to her significant contributions to the sport.
Caroline’s success story continued at the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing. She and her sister once again showcased their exceptional skills by winning gold medals in the women’s double sculls event. Their victory was incredibly close, with a margin of only 1/100 of a second, defeating the German double. Additionally, their win marked the first time in history that the women’s double sculls title had been successfully defended.
Following their remarkable achievement, Caroline and Georgina decided to announce their retirement from rowing in October 2008. They left behind an extraordinary legacy and an indelible mark in New Zealand’s rowing history.
Caroline Evers-Swindell’s exceptional contribution to rowing was further honored when she and her sister were awarded the Lonsdale Cup by the New Zealand Olympic Committee. This prestigious award recognizes athletes who have made outstanding contributions to Olympic sports. In 2008, Caroline and Georgina won the cup for the second time, having previously received it in 2003.
Outside of her sporting career, Caroline Evers-Swindell married former Olympic rower Carl Meyer in December 2009. Since then, she has adopted the name Caroline Meyer.
Awards:
– Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2005)
– Lonsdale Cup recipient (2003, 2008)