Oar-some duo's Olympic dream
02 Mar 2012
Two students at The University of Manchester have been given the opportunity of a lifetime, to try out for the GB Rowing team, which will compete in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Zak Lee-Green, 21, and Graeme Thomas, 23, will battle it out against other world-class British rowers in a gruelling four-day event at Dorney Lake, the official London 2012 rowing venue, from March 8 -11.
The pair, who train with coach Hamish Burrell at Agecroft Rowing Club, make up the total five students that have been invited to take part in the final stages of the trials. This fantastic achievement highlights Manchester as a hot spot for student rowing talent in the UK.
They are both currently undertaking an intensive training schedule in preparation for the event as well as attending lectures and managing their academic timetable.
Graeme said: “We are currently training at least twice a day, seven days a week and covering on average 170km as well as attending weights, core and flexibility sessions. It is tough but you just need to be organised, keep a good diary and be realistic about what you can achieve in a set time frame. It is also important to account for the fatigue that comes from such an intensive schedule.”
Graeme, a 3rd year Bio-Medical student, had his sights set on becoming a professional Rugby Player until 2009 when he was encouraged to take part in a testing session organised by the GB Rowing Start Programme. He was identified as potential talent and with help and support from the Start Programme, Hamish Burrell and the Manchester Sport Scholarship Scheme, he has since gone on to reach the finals of the 2011 European Championships.
Both students are on the GB Rowing Team Start programme, which is sponsored by Siemens and supports new and emerging rowing talent in the UK. The scheme funds a full time coach, use of expensive rowing equipment and provides access to support services such as physiotherapy, nutrition advice and sport psychology.
Zak said: “It is not just about physical training, you also have to be mentally prepared and give your body enough time to recover between sessions. This means lots of early nights and healthy meals. You need to find a balance between being relaxed and going as fast as you can.”
Zak, a 3rd year Dentistry student, started rowing in high school and joined Llandaff Rowing Club close to his home town of Cardiff. Also a keen swimmer, Zak soon knew that his talents lay on the water and chose to focus on his rowing once he started A-level studies.
Although competitive in training, Zak and Graeme will not be going head to head for a place on the GB Team. Both men will be competing in separate categories with Zak looking to secure one of six places available in the men’s lightweight category and Graeme in the open weight men’s single scull.
Graeme comments; “Being part of the final stages of the London 2012 team selection process is my greatest achievement to date and represents 3 years of dedication to rowing and a lifetime of putting sport first, as my number one priority.”
Zak said: “It would be an honour to represent Great Britain in 2012 and it’s every athletes dream to compete at the Olympic Games. But we are both still very young for our sport so if it doesn’t happen in 2012 then roll on 2016!”