Thomas Elliott Barras (born 7 January 1994) is a British rower. He won a bronze medal in the single scull at the 2017 World Championships and a silver medal in the quadruple scull at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He is also a qualified physiotherapist, having graduated with a degree in Physiotherapy from Cardiff University.
Barras is from Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, and learned to row aged eleven at Burway Rowing Club. He attended Tiffin School and then completed A Levels in PE, Biology, and Politics at Esher Sixth Form College. During his time at Esher, he was selected for the 2012 World Rowing Junior Championships, marking his first Great Britain vest. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physiotherapy from Cardiff University in 2015.
After progressing through under-23 squads, Barras debuted at senior level in 2017 at Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, Florida, where his sprint secured bronze in the menâÂÂs single sculls behind Ondà Âej Synek and ÃÂngel Fournier.
For the postponed Tokyo Games Barras joined Harry Leask, Angus Groom and Jack Beaumont in a rebuilt menâÂÂs quadruple sculls. . In the final the crew finished second to the Netherlands, earning BritainâÂÂs first Olympic medal in menâÂÂs quads. Barras later reflected that the result came from âÂÂhead-down beliefâ in the closing strokes.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics he again stroked the quad, which finished fourth after a late charge for bronze.
Alongside full-time training Barras practises musculoskeletal physiotherapy in NHS and private clinics. He continues to support Burway Rowing Club, mentoring junior athletes whenever his schedule allows.