Q&A with Para Athlete Eli Margolin
USRowing has announced the roster that will represent the United States at the 2025 World Rowing Championships, taking place September 21–28 in Shanghai, China. Among the 49 athletes named is our own Eli Margolin, who will compete in the PR3 Mixed Four with Coxswain.
We are incredibly proud to see Eli competing on the world stage and wish the U.S. squad success as they take on the best rowers from around the globe in Shanghai.
Eli reflects on this milestone with gratitude:
“A few years ago when I got back into competitive rowing at Vesper, I never could have imagined this is where it would lead. Selection camp was one of the hardest things I’ve done, and I wouldn’t have gotten through it without the support of my partner and my friends here in Philly.”
Meet Eli Margolin
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
College: Undergrad: Stanford (Political Science); Graduate: Duke
Graduate School: Ph.D. Candidate in Computer Science, University of Pennsylvania
Years Rowing: 13
Club: Vesper Boat Club
Q&A with Eli
When you’re not on the water, you are...
Sleeping or working on my dissertation on Cryptography.
What’s a surprising talent you have?
I'm a pretty good baker. Last thing I baked was tahini chocolate brownies, but once I get back from camp I’m making a lemon ice box cake for a friend’s birthday.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received in rowing?
"Don't overestimate the change you can make in day, don't underestimate the change you can make in a month."
What’s one thing in your rowing bag you can’t live without?
I always get pretty bad blisters, so I make sure to always have climbing tape.
Favorite regatta snack or post-race meal?
Always ice cream!
Most memorable rowing moment so far?
Being invited to selection camp.
What motivates you on days when it’s tough to show up?
Living with MS, I remind myself not to take for granted that I can row at all. My body has had to deal with a lot since my diagnosis in 2014, but showing up and going to practice is a way to make myself stronger physically and mentally.
If you could row anywhere in the world, where would it be?
LA 2028.
Watch the World Rowing Championships on the official World Rowing YouTube Channel and on the World Rowing website, which offers live video streaming for all races, audio, and a live race tracker.