Alexandria’s Christian Tabash rowed to a bronze medal in the men’s eight final in the Paris Olympics on Saturday (Aug.3).
The 25-year-old and his seven American teammates (and a coxswain) clocked in with a time of 5:25:28 in the 2,000-meter race along the Seine River, behind the Netherlands’ 5:23:92 and Great Britain’s gold medal-winning performance of 5:22:88.
In a previous interview with ALXnow, Tabash said that competing in the Olympics is the culmination of a lifelong dream. He said that he was first inspired after watching Usain Bolt’s gold medal-winning (and world record-breaking) sprinting performances in the 2008 games.
The last time that the U.S. medaled in the event was in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, when they earned a bronze medal.
The City of Alexandria saluted Tabash on social media.
“We are incredibly #proud of what you have accomplished,” the city tweeted.
Alexandria leaders posted congratulatory messages on Twitter after the win.
“Congratulations to Alexandria’s Christian Tabash and US men’s eight rowing on winning bronze!” tweeted U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th).
Tabash is one of two Alexandria athletes in the games, along with sprinter Noah Lyles, who won gold in the 100 meters on Saturday and faces the 200 meters this Thursday.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30th) said that it was a big weekend in Alexandria.
“It was a big weekend for @TeamUSA and our home town Olympians,” Ebbin tweeted. “Congrats to @LylesNoah who took home GOLD in the 100 meter sprint and Christian Tabash who took home bronze with the men’s eight rowing team.”
