George Nash is hoping the experience of being a multiple world champion will help him cope with the pressures that lay ahead this summer.
Nash was only 22 when he won bronze at London 2012 but has since gone on to claim three consecutive World Championship titles.
[quote: We are looking to win at the Europeans and put down a marker:George Nash:left]
And he will take another step towards his second Olympic Games at this weekend’s European Championships in Brandenburg, Germany where he is competing in the men’s four alongside Moe Sbihi, Alex Gregory and Constantine Louloudis. The boats selected by GB Rowing for the European Championship are largely expected to line up in Brazil later this year, barring injury or drastic loss form, although Nash knows the importance of a good showing at the Europeans.
“We are looking to win at the Europeans and put down a marker,” said the 26-year-old. “The Italians are the world champions and will be there in force. They have an aggressive racing style and being able to match them would be a great test for us.
“After the Europeans we will know what we have to do because we will know have far ahead or how far behind we are ahead of Rio.
“If you ask anyone in this team then the expectation is to win every race – especially the Olympic races so we are there to win for sure.
“For me the last Olympics was seriously nerve-wracking and an experience unlike any other.
“All the way through the event I couldn’t sleep because my body was pumping with adrenaline the whole time so I am hoping that I will be a bit calmer this time with the experience and better with dealing with the pressure and the big occasion.
“It is certainly exciting and these extreme feelings – the pressure, the excitement and the anticipation – are the reason why we do it. It is great.”
Sportsbeat 2016