View source for James Cracknell

{{short description|British rower}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = James Cracknell
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
| image = File:Jamescracknell.jpg
| imagesize = 
| caption = Cracknell in August 2009
| birth_name = 
| nationality = [[British nationality law|British]]
| education = [[Kingston Grammar School]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Reading]]<br/>[[UCL Institute of Education]]<br/>[[Brunel University London]]<br/>[[Peterhouse, Cambridge]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|05|5|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Sutton, London]], England
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Bev Turner]]|2002|2019|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Jordan Connell|27 August 2021}}
}}
| residence = London, England
| height = {{convert|1.93|m|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|98|kg|abbr=on}}
| website = 
| country = Great Britain
| sport = Men's [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]]
| event = Coxless fours
| collegeteam = 
| club = [[Leander Club]]
| coach = [[Jürgen Gröbler]]<br /> Mark Banks
| retired = 
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport   | Men's [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] }}
{{MedalCountry|{{GBR2}}}}
{{MedalOlympics}}
{{MedalGold    | [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] | [[Rowing at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Men's coxless four|Coxless four]]}}
{{MedalGold    | [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Athens]] | [[Rowing at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's coxless four|Coxless four]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Rowing Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold    | [[1997 World Rowing Championships|1997 Aiguebelette]] | Coxless four}}
{{MedalGold    | [[1998 World Rowing Championships|1998 Cologne]] | Coxless four}}
{{MedalGold    | [[1999 World Rowing Championships|1999 St. Catharines]] | Coxless four}}
{{MedalGold    | [[2001 World Rowing Championships|2001 Lucerne]] | Coxless pair}}
{{MedalGold    | [[2001 World Rowing Championships|2001 Lucerne]] | Coxed pair }}
{{MedalGold    | [[2002 World Rowing Championships|2002 Seville]] | Coxless pair}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[The Boat Race]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[The Boat Race 2019]] | Cambridge}}
}}

'''James Edward Cracknell''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}} (born 5 May 1972) is a British [[rowing (sport)|rowing]]  and endurance athlete, double [[Olympics|Olympic gold medalist]] and winner of six world championship titles.<ref name="Grdn202406">{{cite news |last1=Hattenstone |first1=Simon |title='The man who used to be James Cracknell': the Olympic rower on catastrophe, comas and comebacks: Fascinating Olympians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/jun/24/james-cracknell-olympic-rower-catastrophe-comas-comebacks-tories-partygate |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=24 June 2024}}</ref> Cracknell was appointed [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] for "services to sport" in the [[2005 New Year Honours]] List. 

==Biography==
Cracknell began rowing whilst attending the independent [[Kingston Grammar School]]<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Tozer|editor-first=Malcolm |title=Physical Education and Sport in Independent Schools |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVCvtcUo4Y0C |publisher=John Catt Educational Ltd |year=2012 |isbn=9781908095442 |pages=288}}</ref> and rowed at the [[World Rowing Junior Championships|Junior World Championships]] in 1989 and 1990, winning a gold medal in 1990. He graduated from the [[University of Reading]] as a [[Bachelor of Science]] (BSc) in [[Human Geography]] in 1993, followed by a PGCE at the [[Institute of Education]] and a [[Master of Science]] (MSc) from [[Brunel University]] in 1999.<ref>‘CRACKNELL, James Edward’, Who's Who 2014, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014</ref> Moving into the senior squad, Cracknell made numerous appearances in the [[World Rowing Championships]]; however, he did not win any medals prior to the [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. He qualified in the double scull for the 1996 Games, but fell ill with [[tonsillitis]] and was unable to race.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/dec/07/50-stunning-moments-steve-redgrave |title=50 stunning Olympic moments No4: Steve Redgrave's fifth gold medal |date=7 December 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |author=Rob Bagchi |location=London}}</ref><ref name="Grdn202406"/> In 1997, he won a seat in the men's coxless fours, with [[Steve Redgrave]], [[Matthew Pinsent]] and [[Tim Foster]]. With this crew, he won the [[World Rowing Championships]] in 1997, 1998 and 1999 (with [[Ed Coode]] replacing the injured Foster), and finally the gold medal at the [[2000 Summer Olympics]]. In August 2000, the month prior to winning gold in Sydney, he took part in a 3-part BBC documentary entitled [[Gold Fever (British TV series)|Gold Fever]]. This followed the coxless four team in the years leading up to the Olympics, including video diaries recording the highs and lows in their quest for gold.

With Redgrave then having retired, Cracknell swapped from rowing on strokeside to bowside to join Pinsent in the coxless pairs. The pair won the World Championships in 2001, when they also won the coxed pairs, and 2002. However, in 2003 a disappointing season was capped by a failure to win the World Championships, and Pinsent and Cracknell were shifted into the coxless four, with [[Steve Williams (rower)|Steve Williams]] and [[Alex Partridge]]. Ed Coode replaced the injured Partridge in time for the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] and this crew won the gold medal in Athens, beating world champions Canada by 0.08s.

He came second in the pairs division of the 2005–2006 [[Atlantic Rowing Race]] in "''Spirit of EDF Energy''", partnered by [[Ben Fogle]]. Although they took first place in the line honours of the pairs event (overall, they were third to finish the race behind the two men's fours), the use of ballast water during the race resulted in the pair being moved to second position of the pairs event in accordance with the race rules. The event helped raise money for [[Children in Need]].<ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=Official Biography|url=http://www.jamescracknell.com/biography.html|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708075046/http://www.jamescracknell.com/biography.html|archive-date=8 July 2009|access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref>

They made landfall in [[Antigua]] at 07.13 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] on 19 January 2006, a crossing time of 49 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes. In February 2006, he announced his decision to retire from competitive rowing. Shortly after, ''[[Through Hell and High Water]]'', a [[BBC]]/[[Twofour]] television programme of Cracknell and Fogle's experience of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] race, was aired. The pair wrote a book called ''The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Rowing Race'', about their trip.<ref name=bio />

On 4 March 2006, Cracknell's home was burgled: his Olympic gold medals were stolen, together with his wedding ring and a computer containing 20,000 words of a new book and family photographs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Steele |first=John |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1512026/Cracknells-gold-medals-and-wedding-ring-stolen.html |title=Cracknell's gold medals and wedding ring stolen |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=4 March 2006 |access-date=3 October 2009 |location=London}}</ref> The gold medals were subsequently recovered by a neighbour's dog where the thief had discarded them. The thief, Mark Murphy, 30, was caught and jailed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2006-07-27|title=Olympic gold medal burglar jailed|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/5221572.stm|access-date=2021-02-04}}</ref>

He ran the [[London Marathon]] on 23 April 2006, in a time of 3 hours, finishing over an hour ahead of his rowing teammate Matthew Pinsent.

In January 2008 Cracknell set up Threshold Sports with Julian Mack and Charlie Beauchamp.

In December 2008 he set off yet again with former teammate from the Atlantic Row, Ben Fogle, and Dr Ed Coats (the winner of a nationwide search),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3160941/James-Cracknells-race-to-the-South-Pole.html|title=James Cracknell's race to the South Pole|first=Bryony|last=Gordon|date=8 October 2008|access-date=31 October 2017|website=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> this time to take part in the inaugural Amundsen Omega3 South Pole Race. The team traversed the 473.6 miles suffering frostbite, infected blisters, dramatic weight-loss, pneumonia and exhaustion and came second<ref name="Grdn202406"/> only to a pair of [[Norway|Norwegians]] (over 20 hours<ref>[https://www.sparks.org.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=442]{{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>). The BBC aired a 5 x 1-hour, prime-time Sunday night series of the adventure, ''[[On Thin Ice (TV series)|On Thin Ice]]'' (Twofour), in June–July 2009. The series was accompanied by a self-penned book of the race, ''Race to the Pole'' (MacMillan).<ref name=bio />

In July 2008 Cracknell competed in the European Triathlon Championships for GBR for his age group and in November 2009 he took part in the [[New York City Marathon|New York Marathon]]. In April 2009, James completed the 125-mile non-stop [[Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon|Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon]] in a two-man racing K2 kayak with canoe partner Bernie Shosbree.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/7994645.stm|title=Non-stop canoeing race continues|date=11 April 2009|access-date=31 October 2017|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
[[File:JamesCracknell.jpg|thumb|right|250px|James Cracknell at the London Triathlon 2007]]
In August 2009 Cracknell attempted to break the non-stop Land's End to John O'Groats mixed tandem world record along with Olympic gold medallist [[Rebecca Romero]]. The pair got just past Johnstone Bridge in Scotland before being forced to stop due to problems with Romero's knees. They were on course to break the record by over three hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/record-attempt.aspx|title=Deloitte Ride Across Britain: End to End - UK Cycling Events|website=Deloitte Ride Across Britain|access-date=31 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804102747/http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/record-attempt.aspx|archive-date=4 August 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The attempt was to launch the 2010 Ride Across Britain that Cracknell's company organised

In April 2010 Cracknell became the highest placed Briton ever in the 25-year history of the [[Marathon des Sables]], finishing 12th. His exploits were filmed for a Discovery Channel documentary ''The Toughest Race on Earth'' to be aired in October 2010. This highest ever placing was beaten in 2013 by another Briton, Danny Kendall who finished 10th.<ref>[http://www.marathondessables.com/resultats/resultats.php?langue=en&epreuve_id=2013#]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414084403/http://www.marathondessables.com/resultats/resultats.php?langue=en&epreuve_id=2013|date=14 April 2014}}</ref>

Six months after his cycling accident which damaged his frontal lobe (see below), Cracknell competed in the [[Yukon Arctic Ultra]]. He finished second in the 430-mile race across the frozen Alaskan countryside, beaten only by British cyclist Alan Sheldon who beat Cracknell's 163:20 with his own 99:30.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcticultra.de/en.php?Race_Info:Past_Results:Results_2011 |title=Results 2011 |access-date=2011-08-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006155139/http://www.arcticultra.de/en.php?Race_Info:Past_Results:Results_2011 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Cracknell's participation in the race was filmed for the documentary The Coldest Race on Earth aired on the Discovery Channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoveryuk.com/the-loop/coldest-race-on-earth/|title=Homepage|website=Discoveryuk.com|access-date=31 October 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410121638/http://www.discoveryuk.com/the-loop/coldest-race-on-earth|archive-date=10 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Cracknell ran the 2012 London Marathon in just under three hours, one of the fastest celebrities, but behind [[Nell McAndrew]]. In 2017, he ran a time of 
2:43:12, making him one of the fastest notable [[List of non-professional marathon runners|non-professional marathon runners]].<ref>{{cite web|url=
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/motivation/g776170/celebrities-who-have-run-marathons/| title=50 celebrities you didn't know were marathon runners| date=24 April 2020|publisher=Runnersworld.com|accessdate=17 August 2023}}</ref>

In 2018, Cracknell enrolled at [[Peterhouse, Cambridge]]<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/olympic-rower-james-cracknell-to-marry-woman-he-met-as-mature-student-at-cambridge-university-kxf0w9hfm | title= Olympic rower James Cracknell to marry woman he met as mature student at Cambridge | work=The Times| date=25 January 2021|access-date=13 April 2021| last1= Ellery | first1= Ben }}</ref> to study for a [[MPhil]] degree in [[human evolution]].<ref name="masters">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/13/james-cracknell-oldest-boat-race-competitor-rowing-cambridge-oxford|title=James Cracknell set to become oldest Boat Race competitor at 46|date=13 March 2019|last=Bryant|first=Tom|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="Grdn202406"/> On 7 April 2019, Cracknell became the oldest competitor, and oldest winner, for [[Cambridge University Boat Club|Cambridge]] in the [[The Boat Race 2019|2019 Boat Race]]; at the age of 46 he became the oldest rower in the [[The Boat Race#Statistics|event's history]] by 10 years.<ref name="indep">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2019/03/14/46-year-old-james-cracknell-selected-cambridge-become-oldest/|title=James Cracknell selected by Cambridge at 46 to become oldest-ever Boat Race competitor|last=White|first=Jim|date=14 March 2019|access-date=19 March 2019|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>

In 2019, Cracknell participated in the [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 17)|seventeenth series]] of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', where he was partnered with professional dancer [[Luba Mushtuk]]. He was the first celebrity to be eliminated from the show after losing the dance off to [[David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James]] and [[Nadiya Bychkova]].
He competed in the third series of ''[[Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Star line-up revealed for third series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/all-star-line-revealed-third-series-celebrity-sas-who-dares-wins |website=www.channel4.com}}</ref> In 2021, Cracknell again ran the London Marathon with a time of 2:55:39.<ref>{{Cite web |title=James Cracknell {{!}} runbritain rankings |url=https://www.runbritainrankings.com/runners/profile.aspx?athleteid=44506 |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=www.runbritainrankings.com}}</ref>

==Presenting and journalism==
Cracknell has presented sport on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], [[Channel 4]] and BBC.<ref name="Grdn202406"/> He covered The Boat Race 2007 with [[Mark Durden-Smith]] for ITV and is the presenter of ITV's coverage of the [[British Superbike Championship]].  He is also the main presenter of Channel 4's [[Red Bull Air Race World Championship|Red Bull Air Race World Series]] coverage. He is a contracted columnist with ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' writing about various topics including sport, motoring, gardening, cookery and others.

== Charitable activities ==
From 27 February 2008, Cracknell covered over 1,400 miles from Britain to Africa in 10 days, rowing, cycling and swimming. He rowed from [[Dover]], England to [[Cap Gris Nez]], France, then cycled to [[Tarifa]], Spain, and finally swam across the [[Strait of Gibraltar]] from Tarifa to [[:es:Islote Punta Cires|Punta Cires]], Morocco. The comedian [[David Walliams]] joined him for the final part of his journey providing support from his previous experience of swimming the [[English Channel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=David Walliams and James Cracknell swim 12-mile Strait of Gibraltar in 4 hours 36 minutes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/08/david-walliams-and-james-cracknell-swim-12-mile-strait-of-gibraltar-in-4-hours-36-minutes-89520-20343807/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090416200059/http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/latest/2008/03/08/david-walliams-and-james-cracknell-swim-12-mile-strait-of-gibraltar-in-4-hours-36-minutes-89520-20343807/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2009 |website=Mirror.co.uk |date=8 March 2008 |access-date=13 March 2008 }}</ref> The money raised by the challenge went towards the BBC's [[Sport Relief]] charity, with highlights of the action broadcast on 14 March. He was the [[celebrity]] guest at The WiG GiG which raise over £10,000 for [[Macmillan Cancer Support]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ealingtimes.co.uk/news/1656082.hairraising_charity_bash/|title=Hair-raising charity bash|website=Ealing Times|date=31 August 2007 |access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref>

In January 2009, Cracknell took part in the Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race with his TV presenter friend [[Ben Fogle]] and Dr Ed Coats as members of ''Team QinetiQ'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Team QinetiQ Home Page |url=http://www.teamqinetiq.com/ |access-date=4 October 2009}}</ref> finishing in second, 20 hours behind the winning Norwegian team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Norway beats Britain in Pole race |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7846551.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=4 October 2009 |date=23 January 2009}}</ref> The race and the reasons behind was broadcast on BBC Television during summer 2009 in the series ''[[On Thin Ice (TV series)|On Thin Ice]]''. The trio raised funds for the [[children]]'s medical research charity Sparks, chosen as the charity partner in memory of Cracknell's niece, Eva, who died at six days old after suffering oxygen deprivation at birth.<ref>{{cite web|title=Race to Save Tiny Lives |url=http://www.sparks.org.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=442&srcid=191 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416195710/http://www.sparks.org.uk/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=442&srcid=191 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2009 |access-date=4 October 2009 }}</ref>

On Saturday 3 October 2009, Cracknell and Ben Fogle started a 60-hour (estimated) journey from [[Edinburgh]] to London riding a [[Cycle rickshaw|rickshaw]] in support of [[SSAFA]]. They aimed to arrive in time for the ''[[Pride of Britain Awards]]'' ceremony on Monday 5 October 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ride of Britain |url=http://rideofbritain.org.uk/ |access-date=5 October 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001200903/http://www.rideofbritain.org.uk/ |archive-date= 1 October 2009 }}</ref> They endured storm force gales in [[Scotland]] and [[Northumberland]] on their first day of the 450-mile ride.<ref name="mirror1">{{cite web |title=Ben Fogle and James Cracknell endure storm during charity rickshaw challenge |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/10/05/a-stormin-ride-115875-21723395/ |publisher=The Daily Mirror |date=5 October 2009}}</ref> Early on the last day they made a stop at [[Etonbury Academy|Etonbury Middle School]] in [[Arlesey]], off the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1 road]] to London, where about 100 children welcomed them and to wave them on their way.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ben Fogle and James Cracknell stop off at Arlesey school on their 450-mile charity rickshaw ride |url=http://www.thecomet.net/content/comet/news/story.aspx?brand=CMTOnline&category=News&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestCMT&itemid=WEED05%20Oct%202009%2015%3A18%3A10%3A170 |publisher=The Comet |date=5 October 2009}}</ref>

== Advocacy and legal work ==
Since 2024, Cracknell has served as an ambassador for Coulthursts, a UK law firm specialising exclusively in brain injury claims. Drawing on his own experience of traumatic brain injury (TBI), he has worked with the firm of brain injury solicitors to raise awareness of the need for early diagnosis and timely access to specialist rehabilitation.

As part of his role, Cracknell has appeared in a series of educational films and public awareness campaigns, highlighting the benefits of advanced brain imaging that has revealed damage previously undetected by standard scans. He has stated that earlier access to such diagnostic tools could have significantly improved his post-injury recovery and family life. His advocacy has aimed to promote the wider adoption of these technologies and reforms in the medical treatment of TBI patients.

References:

1) [https://coulthursts.co.uk/james-cracknell-joins-coulthursts-team-in-new-ambassadorial-role/ James Cracknell joins Coulthursts team in new ambassadorial role] 

2) [https://www.independent.co.uk/celebrity-news/james-cracknell-obe-american-america-sydney-b2718628.html James Cracknell: ‘If I’d had these scans 15 years ago, life would have been different’ – ''The Independent''] 

== Cycling accident, helmet advocacy ==
On 20 July 2010, Cracknell was hit from behind by a petrol tanker whilst cycling during an attempt to cycle, row, run and swim from [[Los Angeles]] to New York within 18 days.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |title=Cracknell's life was saved by his crash helmet, which took the full force of the impact from the tanker's wing mirror. |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7909473/James-Cracknells-wife-says-his-determination-will-aid-recovery-from-crash.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 July 2010 |location=London |first=Alastair |last=Jamieson}}</ref> The accident happened at around 5.30am on a quiet stretch of road outside [[Winslow, Arizona]]. He has attributed his survival to wearing a [[Bicycle helmet|cycle helmet]] at the time.<ref name="telegraph1" /> In the crash he suffered a [[Coup contrecoup injury|contrecoup injury]] to the frontal lobes of his brain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Merida UK news Latest from James Cracknell |url=http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/blog/618/3674/en_gb-news/en-blog-Latest_from_James_Cracknell |date=23 March 2011 |access-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422063907/http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb/blog/618/3674/en_gb-news/en-blog-Latest_from_James_Cracknell |archive-date=22 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alpina-helmets.co.uk/athletes.html |title=ALPINA - 2010 Helmet Range |access-date=2011-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010201521/http://www.alpina-helmets.co.uk/athletes.html |archive-date=10 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>  In 2012 Cracknell and his then-wife wrote ''Touching Distance'' about his life before and after his brain injury, which has left him with epilepsy, a lost sense of smell and taste, and a changed, more volatile, personality.<ref>{{cite news |title=James Cracknell: Hopefully, we'll get back to where we once were |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/jamescracknell/9620237/James-Cracknell-Hopefully-well-get-back-to-where-we-once-were.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Elizabeth |last=Grice |date=19 October 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="Grdn202406"/> Since the accident he has been conspicuous in advocating the use of bicycle helmets.<ref name="telegraph2">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8246206/James-Cracknell-on-the-bike-accident-that-nearly-killed-him.html|title=James Cracknell on the bike accident that nearly killed him.|last=Bloxham|first=Andy|date=8 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 August 2011|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamescracknell.com/news/2011/08/08/use_your_head-222 |title=Use Your Head |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007220141/http://www.jamescracknell.com/news/2011/08/08/use_your_head-222 |archive-date= 7 October 2011 }}</ref>

==Politics==

Having been a prominent supporter of the [[NOtoAV]] campaign in the [[2011 United Kingdom Alternative Vote referendum]], in June 2013 Cracknell revealed his intention to stand in the [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|European Parliament election of 2014]]. He commented "The European Union is going to have an effect on my children and grandchildren. I'd like to think I can have an effect - bring a fresh perspective. It's not something I have to do, it's something I want to do."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10093697/James-Cracknell-Why-Im-standing-as-an-MEP.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603021656/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10093697/James-Cracknell-Why-Im-standing-as-an-MEP.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 June 2013 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=James Cracknell: Why I'm standing as an MEP |date=2 June 2013}}</ref>

In October 2013, Cracknell was announced as a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] candidate in [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England and Gibraltar]], together with [[Ashley Fox]], [[Julie Girling]], [[Georgina Butler]], [[Sophia Swire]] and Melissa Maynard.<ref name=DC>[https://www.devizesconservatives.com/news/your-candidates-european-parliament-elections-2014 Your candidates for the European Parliament Elections 2014], 30 October 2013, devizesconservatives.com</ref> Although he was at number 3 on the Conservative [[Party-list proportional representation|party list]], Cracknell was unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/E15000009 South West VOTE 2014 Europe], bbc.co.uk, 26 May 2021</ref>

In May 2023, it was reported Cracknell was seeking to be the [[prospective parliamentary candidate]] for [[Henley (UK Parliament constituency)|Henley]] at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], following the announcement of the retirement of [[John Howell (politician)|John Howell]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympic champion seeks to be Tory candidate for MP |url=http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/home/179938/olympic-champion-seeks-to-be-tory-candidate-for-mp.html |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Henley Standard |date=3 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He was selected as the Conservative candidate for [[Colchester (UK Parliament constituency)|Colchester]] in September 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=James Cracknell to reportedly stand for election in Colchester |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/23810675.james-cracknell-reportedly-stand-election-colchester/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=Colchester Gazette |date=25 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Grdn202406"/> In the 2024 General Election, Cracknell lost to the Labour candidate by 8250 votes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001176 | title = BBC Election Results, Colchester Results| work = BBC News}}</ref>
Cracknell has stated he believes Britain could rejoin the EU in a generation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/09/26/james-cracknell-predicts-britain-will-rejoin-eu/ | title=UK could rejoin EU in a generation, says James Cracknell | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=26 September 2023 | last1=Gibbons | first1=Amy }}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2002, Cracknell married TV presenter [[Bev Turner]]. The couple had three children: a son and two daughters.
They announced their separation on 29 March 2019 after 17 years of marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/29/james-cracknell-wife-beverley-turner-split-17-years/|title=James Cracknell and his wife Beverley Turner split after 17 years|last=Ward|first=Victoria|date=29 March 2019|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2 April 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=James Cracknell and Beverley Turner on how James' accident changed their lives| date=22 October 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIWj8g88Zaw|language=en|access-date=2021-08-18}}</ref> They were granted a [[decree nisi]] in their divorce proceedings in July of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=Judge signals end of rower James Cracknell's marriage to Beverley Turner |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/national-news/17756037.judge-signals-end-rower-james-cracknells-marriage-beverley-turner/ |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2021, he announced his engagement to Jordan Connell;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ellery|first=Ben|title=Olympic rower James Cracknell to marry woman he met as mature student at Cambridge|work=[[The Times]]|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/olympic-rower-james-cracknell-to-marry-woman-he-met-as-mature-student-at-cambridge-university-kxf0w9hfm|access-date=2021-06-21|issn=0140-0460}}</ref> they married in August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web| title=A truly, truly special but also diverse weekend |url=https://twitter.com/jamescracknell/status/1432042462231605249 |access-date=2021-09-01 |website=Twitter.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Achievements==
* [[Rowing at the Summer Olympics|Olympic]] Medals: 2 Gold
* [[World Rowing Championships|World Championship]] Medals: 6 Gold
* [[World Rowing Junior Championships|Junior World Championship]] Medals: 1 Gold

===Olympic games===
* 2004 – Gold, Coxless Four (with [[Matthew Pinsent]], [[Steve Williams (rower)|Steve Williams]], [[Ed Coode]])
* 2000 – Gold, Coxless Four (with Matthew Pinsent, [[Tim Foster]], [[Steve Redgrave]])

===World championships===
* 2003 – 4th, Coxless Pair (with [[Matthew Pinsent]])
* 2002 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with [[Matthew Pinsent]])
* 2001 – Gold, Coxless Pair (with [[Matthew Pinsent]])
* 2001 – Gold, Coxed Pair (with [[Matthew Pinsent]], Neil Chugani<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=38837747&privcapId=881771&previousCapId=881771&previousTitle=BBC+Worldwide+Limited|title=Neil Chugani: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg|website=investing.businessweek.com|access-date=31 October 2017}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>)
* 1999 – Gold, Coxless Four (with [[Matthew Pinsent]], Ed Coode, [[Steve Redgrave]])
* 1998 – Gold, Coxless Four (with [[Matthew Pinsent]], Tim Foster, [[Steve Redgrave]])
* 1997 – Gold, Coxless Four (with [[Matthew Pinsent]], Tim Foster, [[Steve Redgrave]])
* 1995 – 10th, Double Sculls
* 1994 – 8th, Eight
* 1993 – 6th, Eight
* 1991 – 7th, Coxless Four (with John Garrett, Gavin Stewart, James Walker)

===Junior world championships===
* 1990 – Gold, Coxless Four
* 1989 – 10th, Coxed Pair

===Boat Race===
* 2019 - [[The Boat Race 2019|The Boat Race]], rowing for the [[University of Cambridge]]

===World Records===
* 2020 - British Indoor Rowing Marathon Record for Heavyweight 40-49 Men<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishrowing.org/2020/06/james-cracknell-to-attempt-british-record-indoor-rowing-marathon/|title=Watch LIVE: James Cracknell attempts British record indoor rowing marathon|date=13 June 2020}}</ref>

== Styles ==

* James Cracknell (1972–2001)
* James Cracknell, MBE (2001–2004)
* James Cracknell, OBE (2004-date)

=== National honour ===
* [[File:Order of the British Empire (Civil) Ribbon.png|45px]] [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] ('''OBE''')

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|James Cracknell}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130126234436/http://www.jamescracknell.com/ James Cracknell's personal website]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130130221625/http://www.atlanticrowingrace.co.uk/ Atlantic Rowing Race]
* [http://www.amundsenomega3southpolerace.com/ Amundsen Omega 3 South Pole Race]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071214125135/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?menuId=1087&menuItemId=7248&view=COLUMNIST&grid=F7&targetRule=10 James Cracknell's column archive][[Telegraph.co.uk]]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics2000/rowing_and_water_sports/936318.stm ''Gold Fever''] at [[bbc.co.uk]]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v71rc BBC Woman's Hour interview with James' wife, Beverley Turner][[bbc.co.uk]]
* [https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/if-boris-johnson-wants-to-give-me-the-mayor-of-london-job-that-would-be-brilliant-james-cracknell-on-his-political-ambitions-and-his-agenda-to-improve-the-lot-of-dads-9805300.html James Cracknell at www.standard.co.uk]

{{Olympic champions – Men's coxless four}}
{{World champions – Men's coxed pair}}
{{World champions – Men's coxless pair}}
{{World champions – Men's coxless four}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cracknell, James}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:English male rowers]]
[[Category:People educated at Kingston Grammar School]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Reading]]
[[Category:Alumni of the UCL Institute of Education]]
[[Category:Alumni of Brunel University London]]
[[Category:Alumni of Peterhouse, Cambridge]]
[[Category:English Olympic competitors]] 
[[Category:Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Olympic rowers for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Rowers at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Rowers at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Rowers at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Members of Leander Club]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in rowing]]
[[Category:People with traumatic brain injuries]]
[[Category:Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary candidates]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:British sportsperson-politicians]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Rowers from London]]
[[Category:World Rowing Championships medalists for Great Britain]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:People from Sutton, London]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from the London Borough of Sutton]]