Drew Ginn burst onto the international rowing scene in 1996, winning Olympic gold as part of the Australia's Oarsome Foursome. He has since followed that up with two more Olympic gold medals in the men's pair in 2004 and 2008; as well as winning five world championships. Ginn missed the Sydney Olympics with a back injury and was almost knocked out of Beijing after rupturing a disc at the start of the regatta.

1. Much has been made about the back injury in during Beijing. When/how did that injury occur and how bad did it get during the Olympic Regatta?

Firstly I was not worried about hiding it from people in Beijing, but we even had team mates how had very little idea of what we were going through. Funny thing was we used the Canadians stationary bike during the race week, so I guess they figured something was up. Basically we raced the heat, tried to row two days later, but I could only take one lap. We then made the decision not to row again except for our races. So pretty much we have four rows for the week. Heat, one lap session two days later, semi and final. Read into that what you will, but it was about managing pain and not stuffing up by making things worse when we didn't need to. We figured that if in a race something happened then so be it, but why risk it further any other time.

To explain when it started, I have to say the our preparation was flawless from Luzern onwards. I had no issue in the training, so once I arrived in China, I noticed after three days that I was getting nerve pain in my right hip. Over the next few days with long bus trips and the usual bouncy water with heaps of crews training, slowly the nerve pain became worse. The day or two before the heat I started to worry, as I thought with treatment and changes to how we travelled I thought it would settle down. I am pretty sure the heat was not great for my back and know that I was very sore and feeling a bit broken the next day. It has been thought that this is when I sustained the rupture.

From then it got scary, as I initially thought "here we go again the 2000 experience all over again." The scan when I got home showed that I had ruptured my disc at L4/L5, and that a fragment of disc had actually broken off and lodged in the cavity behind the disc. After the heat it was action stations, with everyone on the case supporting us and helping me to get through. The semi race was the tipping point; because of the emotion and pain I just didn't know if I was going to get through. Everything was about avoiding pain because I knew that getting in the boat was going to hurt, and once your in there the adrenaline and emotions kick in - and to be honest once I pushed off from both the semi and final it was like disconnecting from the pain and focusing on the plan and process of racing our best race was all the mattered.

The relief at the end was extraordinary and I remember think I can't believe we made it. It proved to me how strong the mind is, how important it is to work with great people and how critical it is to have a very clear understanding of how you intend to row and perform.

2. You've since had surgery on your back, how did that go and how is the recovery going?

Surgery went well. It has been slow, as the nerve damage and deactivation of the muscles around my hip, back and right leg is the worry. The damage could be permanent but we won't know for another 6 months maybe. As far as pain goes I am much better, and even after this time I am now starting to get active again, with some riding on my bike and doing things like jumping on the trampoline with the kids. Lots of walking and some swimming have been great. The first 6 - 9 weeks was tough, with being laid up and only allowed to walk or lay down. It helped having many teammates dropping in to catch up after the Games to chat. I am glad I had the operation and at least feel that I am on the road to enjoying a normal life.

3. What are your future plans right now? Any thoughts on trying for London?

Enjoy life and spend some time with my family. Develop my businesses which include a bicycle retail business and the consulting work I have been doing with corporate clients. I love challenges and so I have a few plans to extend myself, but will build up slowly to this. Things like a few bike races and some adventure racing are of interest. Thoughts on London are there, but they are very vague at this stage. I would love to be in a position to consider going again and working with some great people as a project. This is some time off, though, as until I have tested my body and spent some more time reflecting on what it would mean and why I would go on, it really is not realistic. If thought I will get full function back then I will start planning and spark a few conversation to see what might be possible. No point doing it unless my family are supportive, I have the right motivation, and that it can work in and compliment my businesses.

4. You've now won three Olympic gold medals and multiple World Championships. Do any races stand out to you as your favorite, and why?

Simply put the three golds stand out, and in fact I don't think of myself as having achieved those things. In 1996 I was young kid in the Oarsome Foursome and that was a dream. In 2004 getting back after surgery and having battled the Brits, Matt & James was very enjoyable. They each hold special meaning, and I would include the 1999 race at the Worlds, and the 2007 race at the Worlds.

My measure of a great race is one that either involves a great battle or a sublime, magical experience of being in the zone/flow/groove where perfection feels possible. The 1999 race had that magical feeling about it, for just over 1500m and since then it has always been a measure of the feeling we have worked towards. 2007 was much the same and it is strange when it unfolds that way as the pain, fatigue and effort seems to drop away and harmony, connection and ease come into play. That has been the perfection we have aimed for. I must say that to battle against the Canadians and New Zealanders over the last two years has made the whole experience so rewarding to and to have been tested with a back injury, well it has made me realize just how good it is to have a great partner, coach and family supporting every step, each stroke and willing us on to achieve. In Beijing I felt like I was rowing for so much more then myself, that was amazing.

5. You're currently working against the building of a desalination plant in Australia. Can you give us the details on that?

It has been an issue that I was asked to engage in. It relates to the area where I grew up, and as a young kids surfing the coastline it is close to my heart. Before I waged in, I wanted to be well informed and so set out finding as much information I could. My role has been to speak out against the project and our decision makers, who conveniently spin doctor the message about how important it is to develop sustainable solutions. This project is in contrast to many commitments being made by leaders in Australia around climate change. The group I am involved in at a local level want to stop the project, make sure that cost cutting impacts are understood and effectively raise awareness about decisions that are being made that have huge consequences.

While I am on my high horse, it seems strange that in these times when there are better alternatives for our future, and ones that are less costly, have less negative impacts and deliver on promises of looking after our planet. Desalination is a last resort for areas with significant water shortages. Here in Melbourne, Victoria, our Government is ignoring expert advice and contradicting their own sustainable environment messages by forcing through projects that are quick fix solutions with significant long term consequences. We have better solutions available to us, but key decision makers appear motivated to deliver this project and others regardless. I am obviously passionate and am working with Locals and people in Melbourne to avert this disaster.

On another note great work on the row2k site. I know how good it is because my Dad has become a rowing fan because of my involvement and also because of a site like yours which he checks religiously. He keeps me up to date with all the news from our great sport.