Ransley’s medal mission

Rowing

As he prepares to jet out to Rio tomorrow (Friday), Ashford rower Tom Ransley has been tipped to claim a medal at his second Olympic Games.

The 30-year-old from Woodchurch will again take to the water in the men’s eight – one of GB’s most prized boats – with his eyes firmly on taking home his second Olympic medal after having to settle for bronze at London four years ago.

His selection for Rio came after a stellar Olympiad in which he became a double world champion as well as picking up European bronze in Brandenburg earlier this year.

Now double silver medal-winning GB rower Debbie Flood admits while the British eight won’t be the favourites for gold in Rio, she sees no reason why they can’t prove the doubters wrong.

She said: “The boat will be up there as one of the favourites. They won’t be the absolute favourites because they have had some mixed results this year but they’ve come together.

“They have mixed the order around a bit and hopefully they have got that set combination now. The more experienced rowers will be massively motivating the debutants and will be absolutely wanting to go for that gold medal and they will be inspiring others around them.”

She added: “That boat has medalled at the last two Olympics so there is a

‘The boat will be up there as one of the favourites’

pressure to maintain that. It’s one of our top boats and there will be pressure from both the outside and the inside.

“They will be wanting to bring back that big medal and will be disappointed if they can’t do that.”

The heats of the men’s eight are on Monday, August 8 (6.50pm British time), with the repechage two days later and the final on Saturday night, August 13.

Ransley Rio exlusive next week.