Caroline Evers-Swindell

Caroline Evers-Swindell is a New Zealand former rower who, with identical twin sister Georgina, won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the double sculls, becoming the first pair in the event's history to defend the title.

A photo finish that contradicted the television commentary — which had called the 2008 Beijing double sculls for Germany — ultimately confirmed Caroline Evers-Swindell and her twin Georgina as Olympic champions by one-hundredth of a second, completing back-to-back golds that made them the first pair ever to defend an Olympic double sculls title. After narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the sisters began training under coach Dick Tonks, who had previously coached Rob Waddell to Olympic gold in the single sculls. The twins won silver in both the double and quadruple sculls at the 2001 World Championships before claiming back-to-back world titles in the double sculls in 2002 and 2003. Their dominance carried them to Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games, winning by almost a full second over Germany, and they were named FISA's Rowing Female Crew of the Year in 2005 after a third world title. After a quieter period with bronze and silver at the 2006 and 2007 World Championships, the twins produced a legendary performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning gold in a finish so tight that television commentators initially called them third, before a photo finish revealed victory by just one-hundredth of a second over the German and British crews. This made Caroline and Georgina the first double sculls pair ever to successfully defend an Olympic title. In 2016, the sisters became the first New Zealanders honoured with FISA's Thomas Keller Medal, the sport's highest individual accolade.

Powerful, technically synchronized double sculls partnership renowned for closing speed

One of the most dominant rowing partnerships of the 2000s and a defining figure in New Zealand women's rowing history

• 2x Olympic gold, double sculls (2004, 2008)
• 3x World Champion, double sculls (2002, 2003, 2005)
• First double sculls pair to defend an Olympic title
• FISA Thomas Keller Medal (2016)