Richard Archibald represented Ireland in the men’s lightweight coxless four at two Olympic Games – finishing 6th at Athens 2004 and 10th at Beijing 2008, both confirmed results.

From Coleraine, Archibald began rowing aged 14 at Coleraine Academical Institution Boat Club under coach Bobby Platt MBE, winning the Ulster Championships with the Junior 16 eight. He went on to study architecture at Queen’s University Belfast before making the decision to give up his studies and pursue rowing full-time – a commitment that took him the length and breadth of Ireland by public transport to reach training sessions.

He rowed for Bann Rowing Club and Lady Victoria Boat Club, and trained under national coach Thor Nilsen and subsequently Harald Jahrling. His career achievements beyond the Olympics were considerable – he won World Championship silver in the lightweight coxless four at Gifu in 2005 and bronze at Eton in 2006, along with multiple World Cup golds.

Ireland’s 2006 crew was the first Irish crew ever to win a Rowing World Cup. After retiring from international rowing in 2008 he served as a Director of COBRA, the Coleraine Alumni Rowing Association, remaining involved in the development of rowing at Coleraine.