Erin Cafaro Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Erin Cafaro

Cafaro in London, 2012

Personal information

Full name

Erin Jane Cafaro

Born

June 9, 1983 (age 42)
Modesto, California, U.S.

Residence

Princeton, San Diego, Berkeley

Height

175 centimetres (5 ft 9 in)

Sport

Country

United States

Sport

Rowing

Event(s)

Women's Eight

Medal record

Women's rowing

Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Gold	2008 Beijing	Eight
Gold	2012 London	Eight
World Championships
Gold	2007 Munich	Coxless four
Gold	2009 Poznan	Eight
Gold	2009 Poznan	Pair
Bronze	2006 Eton	Coxless four
Bronze	2010 Karapiro	Pair

Erin Jane Cafaro (born June 9, 1983, in Modesto, California) is an American rower. She is famous for winning gold medals at the Olympic Games. Erin won her first gold medal in the women's eight event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She then won her second gold medal in the same event at the 2012 London Olympics.

Erin's Rowing Journey
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Erin's Rowing Journey

Starting Out in College

Erin Cafaro began rowing in 2001. She was a beginner, or "novice," at the University of California, Berkeley. She quickly became very good. She joined the main team, called the NCAA team, in her first year. Erin helped her college team win the Women's NCAA Rowing Championships in both 2005 and 2006.

In the summer of 2005, Erin joined the US Rowing U23 Team. This team is for rowers under 23 years old. She competed in the Women's 4- event at the FISA U23 World Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Her team won a gold medal there.

Joining the National Team

In 2006, Erin started training full-time with the US Rowing National Team. She won a bronze medal at the FISA World Rowing Championships in Eton, England, in 2006. The next year, in 2007, she won a gold medal at the World Championships in Munich, Germany. Both of these medals were in the Women's 4- event.

Olympic Gold Medals

Erin competed for the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. She was part of the Women's 8+ team. Her team won a gold medal! This was a big moment. It was the first time the U.S. Women's 8+ team had won gold in the full 2000-meter race at the Olympics.

She competed again at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. Once more, Erin and her teammates won the gold medal in the Women's 8+ event. This was her second Olympic gold medal in a row.

World Championship Success

In 2009, Erin had an amazing year. She won two gold medals at the 2009 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland. She won in both the Women's 2- (a boat with two rowers) and the Women's 8+ events.

It was the first time a U.S. Women's 2- pair had won gold at an international championship. Winning two gold medals in two different Olympic events in the same year was also a huge achievement. Erin and her rowing partner, Susan Francia, were named the 2009 FISA World Crew of the Year. They were also named USA Today's Athletes of the Month. Erin also received the Female Athlete of the Year award from her teammates and coaches.

Life After Rowing

After retiring from rowing in 2012, Erin continued to be involved in sports and wellness. She used her experience to help others. She coached people on rowing techniques and training. Later, she became a student studying clinical psychology. She now focuses on understanding how the brain works.

Erin Cafaro facts for kids

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