Selection joy for Ransley

Rowing

Four years of hard work have proved worthwhile for Tom Ransley after it was confirmed last Thursday that he has been selected for his second Olympic Games.

British Rowing named the 43 athletes chosen to represent Teamgb at the Rio Games in a ceremony at Henley-onThames last Thursday afternoon.

Ransley, the 30-year-old former King’s School pupil, from Woodchurch, Ashford, was confirmed in his second Olympic squad having had to settle for bronze in the men’s eight at Eton Dorney four years ago.

Ransley was due to jet out to Poland yesterday (Wednesday) to take part in the final event before the Olympics, the third and final World Cup event of the season in Poznan, which starts tomorrow (Friday).

He said: “We are very focused on what we have to do in Poznan, though I have to admit the team announcement was good fun to be a part of.

“When you step back and think about it it’s obviously very satisfying and it has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point.

“I suppose you have to allow yourself a minute to reflect and celebrate what you have achieved. I went out for dinner and allowed myself one beer. Of course I am excited.”

Ransley claimed his home town of Ashford has played a pivotal role in his qualification for his second Games, revealing: “I have never been to Rio. GB had a camp there in 2014 but I had had some problems with tonsilitis and instead of going out there I was at the William Harvey Hospital having my tonsils taken out so really I have the staff there to thank for finally getting me to Rio.”

GB selectors named a group of 12 rowers who will form the men’s eight, the pair and two spares in Rio, with Ransley set to retain his place in the eight at least until after Poznan.

Ransley added: “We weren’t told the team would be named in this way, but I wouldn’t read anything into it. As far as I am concerned I want to help keep the eight progressing. I don’t think there’s any cause for change.” He added: “We have not been as consistent as we’d like and Poznan is more valuable to us than the final World Cup would normally be at this stage. “We will be giving it 100% but hopefully we will be putting on more speed as we get closer to Rio as that is our main event of the year.” After a six-week training block the heats of the men’s eight in Rio will take place on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon on Monday, August 8, with the medals decided on Saturday, August 13, and Ransley is hoping to be there.