James Tomkins won Olympic Gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games, the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2004 Athens Games. On top of this James is a seven-time World Champion and Australia’s most awarded oarsman, having made appearances at six Olympic games (for three gold and one bronze medal); eleven World Championships (for seven world titles including one in each of the five sweep oar events); four Rowing World Cups (for two titles) and eighteen state representative King’s Cup appearances – the Australian blue riband men’s VIII event, (for fifteen victories, ten as stroke).  James is one of only five Australian athletes and four rowers worldwide to compete at six Olympics. From 1990 to 1998 he was the stroke of Australia’s prominent world class crew – the coxless four known as the ‘Oarsome Foursome’.

Competing in Beijing at his sixth Olympics, James was awarded the honour of carrying the Australian Flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Games. The same year, James was announced as the 2008 Victorian Father of the Year by the Father’s Day Council of Victoria Inc.

James’ achievements were further recognised in 2010 when he was awarded the International Rowing community’s most prestigious award ‘The Thomas Keller’ Medal.

In 2012, James was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and was elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission. He served as an IOC Member for eight years.