Alexander Mahé Owens Drysdale MNZM (born 19 November 1978)[3] is a New Zealand politician and retired rower.

He initially gave up rowing to concentrate on his studies, but resumed after watching fellow New Zealander Rob Waddell win gold at the 2000 Olympic Games.

[11] Unfortunately for Drysdale, a severe gastrointestinal infection in the week before his final saw him off form[12] and he was only able to win the bronze medal in the men's single scull.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics Drysdale won the gold medal in the men's single sculls, despite throwing up the morning of race day due to nervousness.

[13] He has since been dethroned, and had to settle with silver in the world championships leading up to the 2016 Olympics, each time bested by the Czech Ondřej Synek, who won the WC in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The race was decided by a photo finish, with Drysdale edging out Martin by half a bow ball.

[16] After losing out to Jordan Parry in selection for the single scull at the rearranged 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Drysdale announced his retirement from international rowing in June 2021.

[18] In 2011, he won the silver medal in single sculls at the New Zealand National Rowing Championships at Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel, losing to Nathan Cohen by two lengths.

The vote was in response to a directive by the Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, to fluoridate Tauranga's water supply.

[29] Drysdale married fellow rower and Olympic bronze medallist Juliette Haigh in September 2013.