UK Sport

The Road to Athens - Tim Brabants

Tim Brabants 08 March 2001

TIM BRABANTS paddled his way into history last September when he became the first Briton to win an Olympic canoe sprint medal with a bronze in the K1 1000 metres in Sydney.

"One of my rowing friends said that if you didn't feel like you were going to die as you crossed the line then you hadn't really given it all you've got," said Brabants shortly afterwards. "I felt like I was going to die," he confessed.

Since returning from Sydney Tim has had to adjust to the many pressures and expectations of being an Olympic medallist. In the first of his personal diaries, he reflects on life since Sydney and looks back over his winter training programme.

"AFTER THE fantastic experience of the Olympic Games, that culminated in a Bronze medal, there was a whirlwind of media interest, invites to speak and swanky functions to attend. What it would have been like if I were a "high profile" sports person I dread to think, except form the money point of view!

"Immediately after Sydney I took a long break from training, which gave my body and mind a chance to recover a bit, but I’m pleased to be back in the canoe now. It’s pretty unpleasant training for two hours twice a day in winter at 6:30am and 6pm, whilst trying to get through my fourth year studying medicine at the same time. I never seem to see daylight. If my training partner James Block wasn’t expecting to meet me at the club every morning, I’m sure I’d stay in bed for an extra few hours.

"Luckily a two-week training camp in South Africa was on the horizon which I’ve just returned from feeling much fitter, faster, stronger, motivated, browner… and now cold. I underwent some physiology testing today which confirmed the results of the training abroad and left me with sore blistered hands - great. Nothing but training and studying now until another training camp in Seville over Easter.

"Roll on warmer weather!"

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