The heats for the men;s eight begin this Sunday, July 25, followed by the repechages on Wednesday, July 28 and then the final on Friday, July 30.
Simon is the son of Judy and Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan and grandson of Bernie and Blanch Keenan, and has many relatives in town, namely the well-known Keenan family as well as the Dowling’s and McNamara’s.
Although competing in many regattas around the world, Simon will be competing in his first men’s eight crew on the world stage with the team expectant to complete a podium finish.
Born in Melbourne, 28-year-old Simon relocated to Yale University USA to advance his rowing career in 2011.
During his four-year collegiate career, Simon competed in the top American collegiate regattas, whilst also earning selection to Australia’s 2014 Under 23 Junior World Championships in Varese, Italy, where he earned silver in the Men’s Eight event.
In 2017, he then joined Rowing Australia’s Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra, where he became immersed in the country’s top competitive environment.
Whilst training under some of Australia’s best rowers, Simon earned selection in the Australian Men’s Eights for the 2018 World Rowing Cup three and World Rowing Championships, where he earned himself silver in both.
Now living in Canberra and training with the AIS Simon is gearing up for the much-anticipated 2021 Olympics with all of Yarrawonga Mulwala and Australia behind him and his team.
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