Olympic rowing champion Katherine Copeland says she is well aware the long road to Rio is a marathon and not a sprint.
Copeland won gold in the lightweight double sculls with partner Sophie Hosking and wants more success on the water in Brazil’s iconic city.
Since her Olympic victory Copeland has won 2014 European bronze in Belgrade and will compete at this year’s World Championships in Aiguebelette, France.
However, while she says a medal at the championships would be nice, her main aim is securing a spot for her country at next year’s Olympic Games.
“The Rio Olympics certainly feel like they’re getting closer, and although nothing will be decided this year in terms of Olympic selection, my main aim for 2015 will be to end the year knowing I’m in a position where I can look ahead to Rio with a realistic hope of doing well," Copeland told the Northern Echo.
“The make-up of the boat is still to be decided, but hopefully I’ll be in it and attention will then switch towards the World Championships at the end of the summer. They’re really important because they’re the main event for qualification for the Olympics.
“We have to finish in the top nine in our event to make sure we qualify a place for Britain in Rio, but after missing out on the World Championships final last year, I’m really keen to at least make it to the final this time.
“It would obviously be great to win a medal, but the more important thing is knowing we’re in a good place at the start of Olympic year.”
© Sportsbeat 2015