See Brennan's original row2k Starting Five questions here!
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
There has been a lot more focus this quadrennial on building each year toward the Games. For 2008, I had only started rowing at the end of 2005. Each year selection was a whole new ball game. 2006 I was in the 8+, 2007 in the 2- and the 8+ and then 2008 just the 2-. There wasn't a heap of continuity between seasons.
For 2012, there was also a lot of changing between boat classes. 2009 I rowed the 2-, 2010 I rowed the 2X and the 4X, 2011 just the 2X and then 2012 the 1X and the 2X.
This time round, I've spent 4 years preparing in the 1x!
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen at past Games, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
The most unusual thing I remember is a serious bus accident on the way to the course in Beijing. The local policeman tried to prevent our doctor helping at the scene, but he managed to fulfill his doctorly duties as best he could.
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
Try to stay off social media/ internet where possible. We're not used to people writing articles about us or fawning over us--this can all be an unhelpful distraction.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
Just like any other race- look after the first stroke!
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
I'm a bit older and wiser but will definitely use some of the lessons learned in previous cycles. The biggest thing is not to get overwhelmed by the occasion.
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
Hopefully all of the above!
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
I think the Olympics are always incredibly special to rowers and to Aussies- this time round is no different. I'll always be incredibly proud to be an Olympian.
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?
Every regatta is special in its own way. The Olympics brings lots of excitement, but at the end of the day, it's just another rowing race!
Date of Birth: 08/09/1985
Coach: Lyall McCarthy
Nickname: Kimmy
Height: 188cm
Weight: 75kgs
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Hobbies: Drinking coffee, eating and sleeping
Club: Melbourne University Boat Club
Personal: Kim Brennan (nee Crow) started rowing in 2005 throughout the University Games and Victorian Institute of Sport Talent Transfer program. Before rowing she had finished second to Jana Pittman in the 400m hurdles at the Australian Athletics Championships before injury halted her promising athletics career. She combined with Sarah Cook in the women’s pair in 2007 and they showed great potential, winning gold and bronze medals at the 2007 World Cups and finishing fourth at the World Championships. They were selected in the women’s pair at the Beijing Olympic Games and placed 10th. At the London 2012 Olympics, Brennan achieved a rare feat of competing in two separate events at the same Games - and winning medals in both. Alongside Brooke Pratley in the double sculls she won silver and then went on to take bronze in the single sculls. Outside of rowing, Brennan is a lawyer and is also Chair of the Australian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission. Brennan's father, Max Crow, played over 200 AFL/VFL Games for Essendon, St Kilda, and Footscray. In 2016, Brennan was once again named in the Women's Single Sculls.
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