Dara Alizadeh Shares Experiences In Podcast
Olympic rower Dara Alizadeh said the discipline and work behind elite sport – rather than the spotlight of Olympic competition – stand as the achievement he values most after retiring from a decorated career.
The two-time Olympian reflected on his proudest moments and his transition into life after rowing on the Athlete to Athlete: Lessons for Life Beyond the Game podcast.
Alizadeh represented Bermuda at the 2020 Tokyo Games and 2024 Paris Games.
He also served as president of the Cambridge Boat Race, winning the historic contest in 2018 and 2019, and competed at the Henley Royal Regatta.
“For me, people say, ‘You raced at the Olympics – you must be so proud,’” Alizadeh said.
“However, the thing I’m most proud of is the work itself. The racing is almost the cherry on top.
“I know that’s what it’s all about – it’s the end goal – and without it none of the rest happens.
“I also know it’s the ‘show’ and the only thing everyone sees. But it’s the training and effort that went into it that I’m most proud of.”
On his decision to retire, Alizadeh said he felt he had achieved everything he set out to do.
“You can’t do this forever, and I’d ticked all the boxes,” he said. “I’d done the things I wanted to achieve.
“I rowed Division I, Henley, the Boat Race and the Olympics – that’s a lot of checkpoints people in the rowing world would love to reach. I got to do all of them.
“I’d had a great Olympic run, and the only next step would have been an Olympic medal.
“I had to ask myself whether I had the time and the will to take it further.
“The reality was I wanted to get on with my life and quit while I was ahead.”
Alizadeh now works in London as an infrastructure transformation specialist with Accenture.
