See Alan Campbell's original row2k Starting Five here!
1. How have you prepared differently for this quadrennial than previous cycles?
I have to be honest and admit I've had a shocker in the last 4 years. I have a lot of external pressures from being a father and completing a business degree (which I got a 2:1 for). However, my performances were compounded by the fact that the sport and level of competition, not just in the world, but also domestically has improved. Coming off the back of a home Olympics was a massive hangover as the high was so great. Visiting Rio in 2013 was the tipping point to get me inspired again and to see how great the people and the city was that would be hosting 2016. From here I've really battled with form but I now feel a lot it falling in to pace in the final weeks.
2. Did anything completely unexpected happen, or do you have any memorable or unusual stories from your previous Olympiad?
Every Olympics has it's unforgettable memories. I think the one for me that sticks out in London as being unique was my wife breaking into our team hotel grounds the evening before my final. She knows I'm a huge Rocky fan, so she said "theres one thing I want you do for me, WIN!" (This is a reference to Rocky II), she then gave me a copy of Rocky IV, the greatest of the franchise, gave me a kiss, and jump in her convertible and hot-tailed it off before she was caught trespassing. As I skipped back to the hotel I could hear the Rocky montage music ringing in my ears.
3. Any/Most important advice for first time Olympians?
Remember you're there to do a job, first and foremost, everything thing else can wait until you've done your bit. There are plenty of distractions, but don't let them influence your performance.
4. What was your state of mind like sitting in the starting block of your first Olympic race?
It's just another day at the office. I was pretty relaxed. I knew I had to do what I had trained to do.
5. What's different this time around/what will you do differently at this Olympics?
I have more experience this time round, but my approach will be very much the same, it's another day, the sun will rise again tomorrow.
6. Do you feel older/better/wiser/stronger/other?
I definitely feel older. I have responsibilities that I've never had before, but I'm not so sure if that means I'm any better, wiser, stronger or other.
7. Does the phrase "the Olympics" ring differently the next time around?
Athens in some respects I was lucky to be part of the team, yes I worked hard and I proved myself to be worthy of being selected, but it was the last seat. Through Beijing and London it was about proving my value in the single. Rio feels very final and will be about doing a performance I can be proud of, one that will be part of my own personal legacy.
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 is still rowing on water, however this is as far as the comparisons go. The Olympics are very different, the venues look and feel unlike anything else. Rowing is only a small part of the Olympics and being part of a large team like Team GB, you are very aware of the other sports and events that are going on around you. Your performance fits into a much larger movement. The Olympics is also the time that true champions shine through, the specialness of the event enables certain athletes to rise beyond their potential and do something truly special. I think of Olaf Tufte in 2008 and the South African LM4- in London. The performance of Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent in Atlanta 1996 where they blew the field away under pressure to win Team GB's only gold of those games in the wake of the bomb in the village was the performance that inspired me to get into rowing. Despite so much going on and so much pressure, they were able to rise above it all and perform brilliantly. That is what makes them true Olympic heroes in my mind.
Date Of Birth: 9th May 1983 (33 Years Old) Club: Tideway Scullers' School Height: 191cm Hometown: Coleraine Coach: John West
Learnt to Row: Coleraine Academical Institution for Boys
Original Club(s): Tideway Scullers School
Original Coach(es): Bobbie Platt MBE, Bill Barry
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