Mike Altman American rower, 2008 Olympic participant Date of Birth: 21.08.1975 Country: USA

1. American rower, participant in the 2008 Olympics
2. Early Life and Introduction to Rowing
3. Education and Pursuit of Rowing
4. Return to Rowing and Olympic Success

American rower, participant in the 2008 Olympics

Mike Altman is an American athlete and a member of the United States national rowing team. He will represent his country in the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Altman competes in the sport of men's four rowing.

Early Life and Introduction to Rowing

Mike Altman was born on August 21, 1975, in Kentfield, California. It was his father who first suggested that he try rowing, around his second year of high school. Altman recalls his first practice session and initially doubting whether rowing was the right sport for him. However, when his father pulled him out of bed one day and told him that he would now be rowing, Altman agreed and never looked back.

Education and Pursuit of Rowing

In 1997, Altman obtained a bachelor's degree in diplomacy and later pursued further education at Princeton for a year. Although he had achieved significant success in rowing during this time, he did not participate in the 2000 Olympic Games. Altman then moved to California and started working for a major investment company. Despite his professional success, the desire to return to rowing never left him. This led Altman back to Princeton, where he began training actively again.

Return to Rowing and Olympic Success

In 2002, Altman joined the national team and a year later, he competed in the World Championships, winning a silver medal. This was a significant milestone for the United States in that category. However, in 2004, when it was time for the next Olympic Games, Altman was selected as a reserve for the team. This was a major setback for him, as he had hoped for more. He took a break from training and pursued further education at a business school.

Yet rowing continued to call Altman back. He eventually returned to the sport, competed in several prestigious competitions (including the 2008 World Championships in Lucerne), and finally earned a spot in the Olympic team - this time as a core member. Altman's dreams have now come true, and he hopes for a victory in the upcoming Olympics.