Every athlete in Rio talks about their Olympic journey, William Fox-Pitt’s is more remarkable than most.
With two silvers and a bronze from his previous four Olympic Games appearances, Rio is nothing new for the 47-year old, who starts his three-day eventing campaign tomorrow.
But ten months ago he suffered a horror fall in France, which left him in an induced coma for two weeks.
He admits the accident left him wondering why - with four children at home - he was still challenging himself, especially when doctors told him that his recovery would take at least 12 months.
His eyesight was damaged, he couldn’t pick up his children, walk up the stairs, lost two stone and only started driving again four months ago - which puts his selections achievement into stark perspective.
“I always thought I’d be at the Olympics, I’m not sure anyone else did but I was confident about it,” he said.
“Being here was a big motivation during my recovery. It's been tough because I lost so much strength but I never lost my belief.
“My family and friends have been so supportive and I’ve had so much medical help and thankfully I can’t remember the accident at all, so I don’t have any fear about competing again.
“I think having this target, this incentive, really helped my recovery but there have been some darker moments when I’ve asked myself if it’s really worth it.”
Fox-Pitt and the British team - Kitty King, Gemma Tattersall and Pippa Funnell - have high hopes of success over the next five days, though Fox-Pitt is the only returning member of the team that won silver at London 2012.
Tattersall and Fox-Pitt will get the team off tomorrow followed by Funnell and King on Sunday after today's horse inspection.
“Personally a medal would probably be more of an achievement, when you consider what has happened in the last year," he added.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in this team and the horses have all travelled well, I’m predicting that we’ll be right up there but every year there are more nations in the mix.
“It helps that my horse (Chilli Morning) is such a cool customer and so confident. We’re a great partnership and I genuinely can’t think of anything that will unsettle him.”
Meanwhile, Funnell - a late replacement for Izzy Taylor, whose horse Allercombe Ellie was ruled out of Rio due to injury - is determined to seize her chance.
And she’s no stranger to the Olympic environment, winning team silver in 2004 and 2008 and individual bronze in Athens.
“I’ve learned that you need a plan and routine at the Olympics, with all the hype and excitement,” she said.
“It’s the Olympics and I can get hideous nerves, especially when you think of the responsibility of representing your country and everyone at home, cheering you on.
“The horse doesn’t know it’s the Olympics, so the important thing is not passing on that tension and giving them only positive vibes.”
Sportsbeat 2016