See Eric Murray's original row2k Starting Five questions here!
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
Absolutely! This will be my 4th Olympics and each one has been different. 2004 was an ‘experience’. 2008 we had had some success the previous year but struggled to recreate form, so it was an ‘uncertainty’ how we were going to go. 2012 was redemption for the 208 disappointment. 2016 is an ‘expectation’. There is expectation not only from ourselves, but from everyone else. Prior to London 2012 we learnt how to do it hard, and it was a very difficult and almost unenjoyable training environment, but it produced results. This cycle has been about maintaining our standards, but mixing our training up, to make it enjoyable but also keep the high standards we expect of ourselves and our rowing.
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
Yeah, our coach Dick, lost the plot at us the year prior and it made for a rather ‘icey’ relationship. Probably the most unexpected thing that happened was being able to go through the whole cycle unbeaten. It was really just a product of going out each race to see how fast we could go and not worry about holding back or just doing enough to progress through the rounds.
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
It is an ‘experience’ and it will define what you want to do for the future. Enjoy the moment, but you have to remember that the medals tend to be won before turn up on the start line. The form crews who know how to do fast, have been going fast, are generally the ones which are taking home the medals. If you’re amongst them, then awesome!
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
“Cool….” It was great to be on the biggest stage of all and to get the opportunity to be an ‘Olympian’ for your country. We were a young crew, guys with a lot of enthusiasm, all first time Olympians and so we were just going out there to see what we are to produce.
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
Nothing is different. It’s just another race. That’s the way you have to approach it. There’s going to be 5 other crews that you’ve got to get across the finish line in front of if you want to win and so that’s all you have to do. The preparation is the same, making sure we are hitting the targets we want, which will I’ve us confidence to know what sort of speed we can produce for a 2km race. The only major thing will probably be hygiene and doing what’s possible to stay well.
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
I feel Older; better; not stronger; as fit, but better conditioned for racing.
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
It does after the first one because of the way you’ve approached them. As I said, the first is an experience and then you grow from there so it does change your perception of it. To us now, it’s the final regatta in a 4 year cycle.
8. As far as regattas go, comparing the Olympics to different races (Worlds, Lucerne), is it a better or different regatta, or just higher stakes?
It’s just a higher stake. As far as competition goes, the Olympics is relatively easy to progress through early rounds. Semis are “Brutal”…… Most events have a small number. The pair for example can have 24+ at a World Champs, but Olympic is 13. So early on it can be wide open, but the semis are the races to watch. You generally see some fantastic close racing there by people throwing everything to make the final and then often can’t back it up in the final which makes them wide open. The stake is high and that’s what beings the very best out of people.
Started Rowing: 1997
Coach: Noel Donaldson
Events: Men's Pair
Key Results: 2007 World Rowing Championships - gold, men's coxless four; 2009/10/11/13/14/15 World Rowing Championships - gold, men's coxless pair; 2012 London Olympic Games - gold, men's coxless pair; 2014 World Rowing Championships - gold, men's coxed pair; World Best Time: M2- 28 July 2012, London - 6:08.50
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