Esther Lofgren

Esther Ruth Lofgren (born February 28, 1985) is an American rower and an Olympic gold medalist. She won the gold medal in the women's eight at the 2012 Summer Games in London. Lofgren is a graduate of Harvard College, where she rowed for Radcliffe and was a two-time All-American.

Early life

Lofgren attended Mariners Elementary School and Ensign Middle School in Newport Beach, California.

Lofgren continued rowing at Harvard University, where she was twice named a first-team DI All-American, as well as a winner of the Athletic Excellence Award her senior year. She also competed on the U.S. National Rowing Team, making the squad for the first time as a college sophomore, and won two Under-23 golds and a Senior World Championships silver and bronze while still an undergrad. (YH) After college, Lofgren decided to pursue rowing full-time and moved to Princeton, New Jersey to join the USRowing Training Center. Lofgren then stroked the W4- to a silver medal at the 2008 World Rowing Championships. She also stroked the W4- to a silver medal at the 2009 World Rowing Championships, this time with future Olympic teammate Elle Logan. In 2011, she became the first woman ever, and the first athlete since Sir Matthew Pinsent in 2001, to win two championship events at the Henley Royal Regatta, winning the Remenham Challenge Cup (women's eight) and the Princess Grace Challenge Cup (women's quadruple sculls). She then joined Whipple, Davies, Lind, Elle Logan, Musnicki, Ritzel, Francia, and Erin Cafaro to win gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

When she won a gold medal in women's eight at the 2012 London Games, Lofgren knew her perseverance had paid off. Regarding the win, she said, “It’s been a seven-year journey to make this team and all the hard work was worth it.“

Non-competition awards and accolades

In 2009, Lofgren received Radcliffe Crew's Athletic Excellence award and was named a D1 First-Team All-American in 2008 and 2009. As a high school student, she was awarded a National Merit Scholarship.

Personal life

Lofgren comes from a family of rowers. They have one child and currently live in Germany.

Lofgren currently works as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for The SPECTRUM Group. From 2012 to 2015, she served on the Board of Directors of USRowing, and as the peer-elected rowing representative to the United States Olympic Committee's Athlete Advisory Council. She is also involved with the Women's Sports Foundation. Lofgren works continually to expand girls' and women's access to sports and rowing through advocacy work, public appearances, speaking engagements, and various forms of social media.