World Champion Rower Teal Cohen Shines as Role Model for LGBTQ+ Youth

World Champion Rower Teal Cohen Shines as Role Model for LGBTQ+ Youth

It’s been nearly a month since Teal Cohen stood triumphantly on the banks of Dianshan Lake in Shanghai, gold medal around her neck, as she and her U.S. teammates reveled in their World Rowing Championships victory.

However, Cohen isn’t one to dwell on past glories. “Honestly, I feel like it’s the opposite!” she laughingly admits. Fresh from a training session in Princeton, the 26-year-old reflects on her achievement with characteristic humility. “I feel like other people are reveling in it, while I came back down to earth after a week or so!”

Cohen’s modesty is her way of processing what is undoubtedly a remarkable accomplishment early in the Olympic cycle. Just last year, she was regrouping after the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the U.S. quad sculls team faced setbacks. Despite the challenges, Cohen was determined to leap forward.

“I definitely came away with a sense of disappointment, but also a clear understanding of what it takes to win,” she explains. “You get a sense of how fast that is, and it gave me something to work towards. Achieving top speeds was the goal, and we saw it all come together in Shanghai.”

In late September, Cohen, alongside her teammates Camille Vandermeer, Azja Czajkowski, and Kate Knifton, clinched the World Championship title, outpacing competitors from Romania and New Zealand. The victory was a testament to their resolve, especially after coming up short at the Paris regatta.

“We all had different experiences during the Olympic year, but we knew we had room to grow,” Cohen adds. “About six months ago, we started building towards the World Championships, which was thrilling because we felt like we had something to prove.”

For Cohen, a key part of her mission is inspiring younger queer athletes to believe they can thrive. Growing up gay in Dallas, she attended an all-girls school where she started rowing at 13, navigating her identity without a clear guide. “Back then, the area I grew up in wasn’t the most welcoming,” she recalls. “But when I went to the University of Washington in Seattle, it felt like a place where I could be my truest self.”

At college, the environment was inclusive, fostering her confidence. “On the rowing team, people were open about their identities, which was a huge part of why I feel I have this platform now,” Cohen notes.

She acknowledges U.S. Rowing’s efforts on inclusivity, especially around Pride Month, but sees room for improvement on a global scale. “I know younger rowers are watching and looking up to me. Showing that you can be your true self and be successful is important to me.”

Returning to her old school in Dallas, Cohen has found her visibility appreciated by current students. “It feels really good to be a role model because I didn’t have that growing up.”

As she looks toward L.A. 2028, Cohen’s ambition is not just to be on the team but to stand atop the podium. Yet she remains grounded, focusing first on the immediate task of making the team through upcoming domestic races.

“We’re looking ahead to those races to set us up for next year,” she says. “I know I need to perform at my best to be in the top women’s boat. Building strength and managing expectations are my priorities.”

Despite the pressure of defending her title, Cohen is not resting on her laurels. “We had a great performance in year one, but after a week, we were already saying, ‘let's start over and do it again next year.’”

Through hard work and determination, Teal Cohen continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation of LGBTQ+ athletes in rowing and beyond.