Olympic champion Katherine Grainger is refusing the rule out the possibility of rowing at a fifth Games at Rio 2016.
After three consecutive Olympic silver medals between 2000 and 2008, Grainger finally got her hands on gold at London 2012, storming to double sculls victory alongside Anna Watkins.
And, although Britain’s most decorated female rower will be 40 by the time Rio comes along, she isn’t prepared to say no to a fifth Olympic adventure just yet.
Grainger is currently completing her PhD in criminal law however, despite resuming training, she has admitted she definitely won’t compete at this year’s World Championships.
“I owe it to the PhD to see it through,” she said. “It’s fantastic having the pressure of the PhD deadline because that takes up my energies, but once that's out of the way I may be able to decide.
“I wouldn't have been comfortable missing those months and then coming back late into this year’s team [for the World Championships].
“But I didn't want the door to shut while I was taking that time out. I'm not saying I'm definitely coming back – I am genuinely undecided – but it is a very serious possibility.”
© Sportsbeat 2013