Tokyo 2020: US rowers looks to extend Olympic dynasty in women's eight

For more than a decade and across three Olympics, there was no greater force in women's rowing than the American eight boat.

Three consecutive Olympic gold medals. Eleven years undefeated at major international meets.

But all dynasties eventually end. Once upon a time, East Germany dominated the event. Then it was the Romanians cruising the waters before the Americans took over.

And while the U.S. crew that lines up in Friday's Tokyo Olympics final still ranks among the medal favorites, its swagger and reputation as unbeatable were wobbled and broken since its Olympic title in 2016, as other countries started winning.

Romania won the world championship in 2017, a particularly galling defeat as the Americans didn't even medal. New Zealand stormed to the title in 2019.

"Yes, we were dominant for many years, but everyone forgets that each year is largely a new squad, and with that comes unknowns," said Meghan Musnicki, who won gold with the U.S. eight boat in 2012 and 2016 and is one