Change Of Heart Why Eric's Calling It Quits

Our Olympic golden boy is leaving on a high.

Throughout his 17-year rowing career, Kiwi star Eric Murray has earned his place as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever sporting legends.

With partner Hamish Bond, “The Kiwi Pair” reached phenomenal success – bagging an astonishing 69 consecutive wins, two Olympic gold medals, eight world championship titles, two Supreme Halberg Awards and 16 world cup victories.

But it’s Eric’s inimitable charisma, sense of fun and down-to-earth charm that has made him one of our most-loved athletes – who could forget that trademark handlebar moustache and enormous smile as he crossed the line at the 2016 Olympic Games?

While the shelves in Eric’s Cambridge home are heaving with trophies, one of his biggest honours – a gold medal from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games – has made its way into five-year-old Zac’s toy box.

This casual attitude towards the treasured possession is perhaps symbolic, because today Eric is sitting down with Woman’s Day to tell us exclusively that the time has come to hang up his oar. Yes, the rowing legend, who turns 35 this weekend, has decided to retire.

With his devoted wife of 11 years, Jackie, by his side, an emotional Eric explains, “I always said as long as my mind, my body and my heart were in it, then I could do this for as long as I like. My mind’s been pretty good, my body’s been pretty good, but it was my heart that was on the fence. So it’s time to go.”

A strong desire to spend more time with his family, as well as the fact he’d lost “the buzz” from winning, contributed to this difficult decision, which was seven months in the making.

Whanau first