Harvard rower who took off time from school to train won’t be competing in the Olympics due to COVID-19

BOSTON — Harvard University rower Clark Dean took a year off from school to train for the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. Dean must now put his dreams on hold as the summer games have now been rescheduled to 2021.

“For me it’s definitely a disappointment,” said Clark Dean.

Dean helped the United States qualify a boat at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. He continued to train with the best at the U.S. National Team training center in California, until it all abruptly ended.

“In the past 12 months, this is a scenario that I never imagined,” said Dean.

He said the rowers had to end their training and return home. Now, the chance for Dean to make the Olympic team and compete in 2021 is uncertain.

“There’s so many variables and with school it’s definitely going to be tough to make the boat with training and being selected in California when I’m in school in Cambridge,” said Dean.

Dean said it’s been an anti-climactic way to end the season after having such high hopes for Tokyo.

“For me, it’s definitely a disappointment, getting my Olympic opportunities at least pushed back a year, potentially to the next,” said Dean.

But with the support of his Harvard coaches, Dean said his journey won’t stop here.

“At the end of the day, I’m going to do whatever I can to get there. It’s just going to be a bit tougher with more logistical concerns, said Dean.

Dean said he was hopeful he would return to school as an Olympian or be ready to give it another shot down the road. But as of now, he said he will stay in shape and prepare to row for Harvard in the fall.

Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts

>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW

- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV