YOUR VIEW: What makes Canada's rowing team so strong?

Last Updated: Sunday, August 17, 2008 | 7:09 AM ET

CBC Sports

Members of men's eight team throw coxswain Brian Price, centre, into the water after winning the gold medal in on Sunday in Beijing. (Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press)

The Canadian rowing team triumphed at the Beijing Olympics, winning four medals including a gold by the men's eight team.

Four years ago, this mighty squad was crushed following a fifth-place finish in Athens, when they entered as heavy gold-medal favourites. However, the Beijing Games would offer redemption for the proud crew.

Canada led wire-to-wire in the final race at Beijing's Shunyi Olympic rowing park to justify its gold-medal status prior to the event. The eight also remained unbeaten during the last two years.

The men's pair Scott Frandsen and Dave Calder earned Canada a silver and were the first Canadians to reach the medal podium in Beijing. Frandsen and Calder went up against a tough field, including Australian pair Duncan Free and Drew Ginn, who took the gold.

The team also received bronze medals from the women's lightweight double sculls pair Melanie Kok and Tracy Cameron, and the men's lightweight four crew.

Only Great Britain has won more medals, six, than Canada. With that said, what makes Canada's rowing teams so strong?