The Sunday Post (Inverness)

Liam’s gone from mixing cocktails to Olympic glory

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Liam Heath paddled his way to K1 200m gold yesterday. country’s most successful Olympic canoeist, ahead of Tim Brabants, who won a gold and two bronzes, and also marked the most successful Games ever for Britain’s canoeists. Their UK Sport medal target was three to five and they have won four: two golds and two silvers.

Heath, who continued Britain’s dominance in the event following Ed McKeever’s gold four years ago, said: “I’ve got the set now, bronze in London, silver and gold here, it’s incredible.

“I had an inkling I had won when I crossed the line, but you’re so focused on your lane and those white blocks at the finish point that you blank everything out.

“When they’ve looked at the photo finish and put your name up on the board, that’s when you know and it starts to sink in.”

Schofield watched his friend claim gold and declared himself “incredibly proud”, despite the “horrible” nerves.

“It was really nerve-racking, particular­ly after not a great start, but when I saw him coming through towards the end I started to relax a little bit,” he said.

“With about 20m to go I knew it was impossible for anyone to come back on him.”

Schofield admitted he has had to put his own celebratio­ns on hold while Heath geared up for his gold medal bid, going out of his way not to disrupt his preparatio­ns.

“I came back a little bit late the night before last and I got changed outside the bedroom, did my teeth elsewhere and snuck in like a ninja,” said Schofield, who explained that the key to his teammate’s success was his power to weight ratio, comparing him to an ant.

Now, though, the covertness can end. And being in Brazil there is of course only one way for a former cocktail maker, who can name and make over 150 different types, to celebrate.

“I might have one or two caipirinha­s tonight,” Heath said.

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