MD student’s oarsome switch
Studying to become a doctor requires years of hard work, training and discipline.
It’s a daunting task for most people, but for medical student Ria Thompson, it’s second nature after years of training as an elite athlete.
A stethoscope hangs around Ria’s neck nowadays, but last year it was a bronze medal after her team rowed into third place in the thrilling final of the women’s quadruple scull at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I was in the bow seat, so one of my jobs during the race was to make the calls and let everyone know what was going on,” Ria explains.
“Another crew in the race made a mistake with about 150 metres to go, which put us in a medal position.
"I couldn’t explain to my team what had happened because my lungs were burning so much. All I could do was scream at them to 'go, go, go!'.
“When we crossed the line, I kept thinking there’s no way we could have won a medal, but I kept looking at the display screen waiting to see where we had placed and when it popped up, that's when I knew it was real."
The Australian women’s quadruple sculls team, featuring UQ medical student Ria Thompson (far left), celebrate after claiming bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Image: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Australian women’s quadruple sculls team, featuring UQ medical student Ria Thompson (far left), celebrate after claiming bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Image: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Standing on the podium wearing an Olympic medal with the world watching was a dream come true for Ria, but now she has her sights set on achieving her next long-term goal – becoming a doctor.
Ria commenced her Doctor of Medicine at UQ in 2022 and chose to study at UQ after completing a Bachelor of Science honours year at the University in 2019.
“My family has always been sporty, which has made me very competitive, and I think that drive has helped me study and get to where I am today,” she says.
“I wanted to become a doctor because I believe everyone should be able to be as healthy as they can be.”
Originally from Victoria, Ria has rowed for Australia for the past five years, winning the World Championships in the U23 women’s single scull in 2019 before her Olympic bronze medal last year.
Ria Thompson
Ria Thompson
She admits she’s been surprised by the number of similarities between being an elite rower and a medical student.
“I’m only first year, but I’m enjoying the team aspect of learning,” Ria explains.
“It’s almost like they’re my sporting team – we push each other, help each other study, and pick each other up on the hard days.”
It’s difficult to say whether training for the Olympics or training to become a doctor will be harder, but both are on the cards for Ria, who has no immediate plans to put either on hold.
“I get up at 4 o’clock in the morning to train, then go to uni all day, and back to training in the afternoon,” she says.
“I’m actually enjoying the new challenge. It forces me to switch o from rowing during the day so I can concentrate on studying.
“I’m training to race the single scull in Amsterdam and at the Henley Royal Regatta in England this year.
“I also really want to go to an Olympic Games again, so hopefully I get to Paris in 2024.
“After that, I’d love to be at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics – not as an athlete, but as a doctor – that would be incredible and would combine two of my passions in life."
This story is featured in the Winter 2022 edition of UQmedicine Magazine. View the latest edition here. Or to listen, watch, or read more stories from UQ’s Faculty of Medicine, visit our blog, MayneStream.
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