Drysdale keeps his options open

Mahe Drysdale says the single scull isn’t his only option as he sets off in pursuit of another Olympic gold.

Drysdale has been back training for three months after taking a break following his second successive gold medal in the men’s single scull at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and was named on Wednesday in the Rowing New Zealand elite summer training squad.

While a record-equalling third single scull gold is a big drawcard, the 38-year-old said being part of a crew boat was also an option as he looked towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

‘‘I was very open to where I go,’’ Drysdale said of his return to rowing.

‘‘I’m probably trying to find combinations that work and at this stage that’s probably looking more towards the single, but there’s still a few conversations to be had. I’d like to have that [sorted] at the start of the summer squad.’’

Drysdale said he didn’t really have a preference.

‘‘There’s advantages and disadvantages in both. I have motivation in both.

‘‘With the single, there’s some things that I’d love to do - to win the most world titles of anyone ever, to win three gold medals there’s only two people who have done it before in the single.

‘‘Alternatively, there’s also things in crew boats - I started my career in crew boats so it wouldn’t be a bad way to end and it’s possibly a bit easier on my body.’’

In Drysdale’s absence, Robbie Manson represented New Zealand in the single scull in 2017 and set a new world’s best time, erasing Drysdale from the record books. He won both World Cup events in style but was hampered by injury in the buildup to the recent world champs in the US and could only manage fifth in the final.

Drysdale says he’s happy with where he’s at physically and mentally heading into summer.

‘‘I really enjoyed watching the world champs - it was the first time I hadn’t been there since 2003. While I missed that competitiveness, there wasn’t any inkling of ‘I wish I was there racing’. Mentally I’m feeling really excited.’’