UC alum aims for summer Olympic debut

World Rowing champion Christopher Bak reflects on achievements and looks ahead

With the 2026 Winter Olympic Games coming to a close, attention now turns to the summer games coming up in Los Angeles. 

Beach sprint rowing is a relatively new sport that is surging in popularity due to its anticipated inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Spectrum News spoke with Lindner College of Business alum and World Rowing's most-decorated beach sprint rower, Christopher Bak, on his Olympic-sized goals. 

“It’s really a sport that has brought me to every corner of the Earth,” Bak told Spectrum News. “I’ve been able to represent not only the United States, but also our hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Bak’s coach, assistant professor of research at the UC College of Medicine Marc Oria, spoke about Bak’s dedication to rowing and beach sprints. 

“He still has dreams he wants to achieve and he continues the drive toward that goal,” Oria said. 

Watch the full story on Spectrum News

Read more about Bak’s journey.  

Featured image at top of Bak posing with an American flag. Photo/Row2k

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