Paul Wycherley makes his top-level canoeing comeback this weekend - two years after temporarily quitting the sport after failing to make the Olympics.
The K1 1000m paddler had a well documented battle with 2008 Olympic champion Tim Brabants for Team GB's slot at London 2012.
But after some time away from the sport, Wycherley, who turns 28 this week, is back in British colours for sprint canoeing's World Cup in Racice.
“So after narrowly missing out on the Games I was ready to throttle back and emotionally recover a bit," he said.
“That year off was important but it was always my intention to come back.
It’s been a bit of a slow burn and it's really been a case of getting fitter again. At the start of the year I went away to South Africa for two months to get really fit, with lots of cross training as well, which was a real shift for me going from full-time employment back to being an athlete.
"Since I came back the focus has been on training. It's been a bit of a journey to get this far and I'm still on that journey.
“But I'm in good shape and the team’s first World Cup in Racice will be a good marker of where I am and an opportunity to track my progression.
“With Olympic qualification being the main thing next year, certainly for these World Cups I'm aiming for the top end of the B final, then hopefully by the time of the Worlds I expect to be making the A finals.”
© Sportsbeat 2014