Amber rows in Athens

University of Adelaide student and Australian rower Amber Halliday has finished fourth in her Olympics quest.

Competing in the lightweight double sculls with partner Sally Newmarch, Amber won both her heat (in world best time) and semi-final before finishing behind Romania, Germany and the Netherlands in the final on August 22.

"Amber made a phenomenal effort to even reach the final," said the Executive Officer of the University of Adelaide Sports Association, Ms Gloria Chester.

"I'm delighted for Amber, because I know how hard she worked to get there," Ms Chester said.

"About three months before the Games, Amber got knocked off her bike by a car while training and that took a real toll on her, both physically and mentally.

"The fact that she made the final after such a serious accident shows what sort of person she is."

Amber, who received a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) in 2000 and is currently partway through her Media degree, was also congratulated on her achievement by Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha.

"Amber is a world-class sportswoman and we applaud her effort in finishing fourth in the final," Professor McWha said.

"Amber is a fine example of the kind of student the University of Adelaide attracts - someone who is committed to excellence in their chosen field, and combines study with a range of interests, such as sport."