London lights path to Tokyo

Canoeist Gibson on why making move south can help her to achieve Olympic dream...

winning gold at the European, World and U23 World Championships and also had her best individual result finishing fourth at the World Championships in Pau.

“2017 was a huge year of learning for me,” said Eilidh. “I decided to miss most of the World Cups to stay in London to get over injury issues I had been dealing with.

“This was a hard but necessary decision — and it actually put me in a much better place for the races at the end of the year.

“To defend our U23 World champion and senior European champion team titles was very special and such an incredible experience.

“I think the Senior World Championships was the highlight of the year. With GB having never won a Senior World Championship title in my class, my team and I managed to take the gold medal which was such an incredible moment to share with my team mates.

“At this race, I also achieved a personal best with fourth place individually. Although frustratingly close to a medal, this was a huge result for me against a big field and the achievement I am most proud of.

“Last year did not start out ideally as I had to miss races due to injury but for me it was my commitment to my plan that led to success.

“Although my season looked different to normal, I was fully committed to the plan that my team and I had made to make me the best paddler I could.

“This vision was focused on all the way through the year, knowing I was doing what was going to make me the best I could be.

“This year, I am again struggling with injury which is incredibly frustrating.

“However, I know I have an incredible team around me and that we are making decisions to make me better in the long run and most likely to achieve my Olympic dreams, which is what I will focus on through the hard times.”

Competing in a sport that you hold a true passion for makes the early starts and late nights in the gym worth it.

Eilidh concluded: “Both of my parents are paddlers, this is in fact how they met. Therefore I was dragged out onto the river from a young age.

“I used to be a competitive swimmer though and it was swimming that I wanted to achieve at.

“However, as I started to compete in canoeing, I fell in love with the sport and the people.

“It is one of those sports that has the most incredible culture. Almost everyone in this sport comes back for the sheer love of flying around the whitewater.

“There really is nothing better than being out on the river with your friends or family in the sun — although occasional in Scotland.

“At the end of the day this is what brings me back for more.”

Olympic selection is next April, so moving to London and being full-time gives me a chance