Pillow Talk with Olympic medallist Simon Niepmann

Ekaterina Ossipova Bolte for Pillow & Pepper: Simon, did you meet many other top athletes in your degree program?

Simon Niepmann: No, not at all! Over the past six years, there were really only a few.

What made you pick up rowing?

Simon Niepmann: I grew up next to the Rhine River, and there was a rowing club in the village. My brother, who is two years older, was the first who gave it a try. I followed in his footsteps. I was eleven years old when I started. During the first year, they used me only as coxswain because I was too short. But at twelve, there was nothing holding me back. I started out training twice a week, then I stepped things up ...

When did you realise there was no going back?

Simon Niepmann: I practised normal rowing for many years, but I did put a lot of energy into this sport from the start, which means I really never missed a training session. Step by step, I kept getting better until I reached the next level. When I enrolled for my degree program in 2007, I realised rather quickly that I had to take a break if I wanted to get ahead in high-performance rowing.

What would have been your career choice if it had not been for the rowing?

Simon Niepmann: It’s interesting, but I never focused on any sport except rowing. Some of my colleagues had tried other club sports earlier, like football or hockey, but for me it was rowing from the start. I would certainly have finished my studies faster if it had not been for the rowing, and could have started teaching sooner. I could be tempted to learn to fly a helicopter, except multi-tasking is probably not my long suit (laughs).

Winning Olympic gold – were you expecting it?

Simon Niepmann: It is in any case what I intended to do. It would have been a major disappointment if things had not worked out. Ultimately, we had spent four years working toward this goal, and the goal was very clearly defined: Go for gold! The objective at the previous Olympics had been to get as far as possible, and we did finish in fifth place. After that it was perfectly obvious to us that we would have to keep pushing.

But is this really something you can control?

Simon Niepmann: It is certainly easier to control in rowing than in many other sports. If you do your rowing regularly and competitively, you lay a sound foundation – and this is an investment no one can take from you. It also makes your success in rowing relatively predictable.

What was it like to be part of the Olympics?

Simon Niepmann: Great vibes, especially because our friends and relatives came with us to Rio to cheer us on. Overall, we were a group of around 40 people.

And now? What’s next after such an achievement?

Simon Niepmann: Right after winning Olympic Gold we decided to take a break and not to compete in any international race for a year. Next month, we will definitely have to decide who of us want to keep going. But we already know it won’t be the same constellation of athletes in the lightweight four.

What is your recipe for success?

Simon Niepmann: The most important driver for me is motivation: tackling new challenges, but also being prepared to forgo things. From the right kind of motivation come other things: first, discipline – to never ever skip a training session; secondly, the focus you need in your daily training to always keep your eye on the long-term goal; and thirdly, technique. Rowing is a team sport, which means no matter how good you are personally, it is even more important to know how to bring it out when working in a team.

Speaking of recipes – do you know how to cook?

Simon Niepmann: A little bit, I make a pretty decent Thai curry (laughs). Basically, I like dishes that are prepared in a wok – there is very little that can go wrong, unless you get it too spicy.

Rowing has already taken you across the world. What is your favourite destination?

Simon Niepmann: New Zealand. I went there twice for rowing: the first time to participate in the world championship and the second time as part of a 6-week training to prepare for the Olympics in Rio. But it’s also pretty nice here in the Ticino.

What do you like best about the Ticino?

Simon Niepmann: The combination of woods and lakes. It gives you the feeling that the mountains are close enough to topple into the water any minute.

Do you have a favourite hotel in Ticino?

Simon Niepmann: I do like the Giardino Lago. The view of Lake Maggiore and the mountains from the patio is simply breath-taking. And once I manage to tear myself loose from the roof terrace, I immediately head out onto the lake. For me, it’s a great place to breathe freely and recharge my batteries.