James McRae

Who is James McRae?

James McRae is an Australian world-champion and Olympic medal winning rower.

McRae grew up in Murray Bridge South Australia where he rowed for the Murray Bridge Rowing Club. McRae is a South Australian Sports Institute Scholarship holder and was coached by Adrian David now former SASI head rowing coach and ex Romanian international oarsman.

McRae competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the men's quad scull. McRae began his international career by competing with Matt Bolt in the double scull at the 2005 Junior World Rowing Championships. McRae's siblings Jessica and Anna are Australian rowers who have held various SASI scholarships and Australian titles. Anna McRae has also competed internationally for Australia.

In McRae's first competition at the Beijing Olympics, the Australian quad scull broke the world record to win their heat. McRae competed with Daniel Noonan, Brendan Long and Chris Morgan. McRae and his crew subsequently finished second in the semi-final thus securing a place in the Olympic finals.

At the finals of the men's quad sculls the Australian crew including McRae was unable to capitalise on their earlier world record form and finished 4th.