Tokyo Calympian: Martin Mačković, Rowing, Serbia
The rowing partner of Cal alum Mačković tested positive for COVID after arriving in Japan
The last rower out of that 2016 national champion Varsity Eight boat to be a first-time Tokyo Olympian is Martin Mackovic, who will also race in men’s pair in Tokyo like his former teammates Joachim Sutton (Denmark) and Niki van Sprang (Netherlands).
Out of the three Cal alumni who are in the men’s pair for the Tokyo Olympics, Martin Mackovic and his Serbian partner Milos Vasic are arguably the favorites to win a medal (Silver behind the Croatians as favorites). Unfortunately, Vasic tested positive for COVID after arriving in Japan on July 4th which canceled their training plans.
Since they caught this quite early, one would think that Vasic, who was reportedly asymptomatic, should be able to recover in time. Cal alum Mackovic has been reported to have tested negative for COVID.
Martin Mačković
Sport: Rowing
Event: Men’s Pair
Nation: Serbia
Hometown: Subotica, Serbia
Olympic Appearance: 1st
Age: 25 (September 4, 1995)
Cal connection: Alumnus (‘18, Sociology)
Cal accomplishments: 2016 IRA National Champions
Five Tokyo “Calympians” are in the photos below.
Martin Makovic and partner Milos Vasic won the Rowing World Cup II earlier this year in a field that did not include the Tokyo Gold favorite Croatians. Nonetheless, that win was a solid indicator of their chances to medal in Tokyo, when they are at 100%.
Of course, the reality of the COVID pandemic might have already messed up the Serbian team’s plans for this delayed Olympic Games.
Mackovic and Vasic had rowed together since the 2019 World Rowing Cup in Bulgaria. Martin Mackovic briefly talked about this partnership in the short video below.
We will find out more in the coming 1.5 weeks about if the Serbian pair are able to go or if they will have to swap out Vasic for a reserve rower.
Best of luck to Martin and his partner in Tokyo!
Rowing Schedule:
The men's rowing event at the Tokyo Games is scheduled for July 23-30 on the Sea Forest Waterway.
Date and Time: Sat 24 July 2021, 8:30 - 12:30
Men's Pair Heats
Date and Time: Sun 25 July 2021, 9:00 - 11:40
Men's Pair Repechage
Date and Time: Tue 27 July 2021, 8:30 - 12:00
Men's Pair Semifinals A/B
Date and Time: Thu 29 July 2021, 8:30 - 11:50
Men's Pair Final A
Men's Pair Victory Ceremony
GO BEARS!