Mark is great in and on the water

A former Olympic swimmer has changed sports with great success.

City resident Mark Stevens ( 37) competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games in the 100 and 200m freestyle swimming events.

And now he has won a bronze medal at the National Indoor Rowing Championships in Manchester in the 30- 39 age group just 12 weeks after he took up the sport!

Stevens, whose 6ft 6ins frame and muscular physique is perfect for rowing, was representing Prestons Heath in the event and was beaten only by two members of the Royal Navy.

Indoor rowers cover a simulated course of 2,000m and Stevens finished in a time of 6.35.3.

Another city man just missed out on a medal.

Paul Cullington competed in the 50- 59 age group event and finished fourth with his performance affected by a virus.

Cullington had competed the week before in the Scottish National Indoor Rowing Campionships and won a silver in the 1000m race.

He was beaten by one second and recorded the third fastest time in Britain and the ninth fastest in the world this year.

Cullington is also a relative newcomer to the sport, but already has a silver medal in the British Championships to his name.

Outdoor oarsmen were not so happy last weekend.

Peterborough City Rowing Club’s annual Head of the River race on the Nene was cancelled for the third year in succession.

High water levels and a fast flow were the problem this year following a frozen river in 2011 and high winds in 2012.

City next host a major event in June when their own two- day summer regatta will take place at Thorpe Meadows.

Mark Stevens.