The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rio Olympics:
Aberdeen canoeist David Florence feels relaxed as prepares for a third Olympics
Florence on the gold trail once again.
The pressure is off for Aberdeen canoeist David Florence.
But now the hard work is set to start as he prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Next year’s Games will be 33-year-old Florence’s third, having returned with silver medals to show for his efforts in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
Florence, who will race in the C1 class and pair with Richard Hounslow in the C2 class, secured his place in Brazil at the Olympic Trials in Lee Valley last month.
The Scot, who is sponsored by Lloyd’s Register Energy, is in relaxed and confident mood as he begins his preparation for another tilt at gold.
He said: “In a funny way it does feel as if the pressure is off for now.
“We spend so much time training for a race we don’t know if we are going to be in and now I know I’ll be there I can look forward to it.
“Three years is a long time to spend looking forward, but now we’re less than a year out and I know I’ll be in Rio.
“Experience counts for something, but I can’t say there are too many younger athletes in the water these days.
“In C1 and C2 I’m one of the older at 33, but by no means the eldest as canoeing is not a sport where age is that big a factor.
“I’ve won three world titles, two in C1 and one in C2 in the post-Olympic cycle and that success has given me confidence for Rio.
“I know I’m paddling well at the moment and I’ve had good results since London, but come Rio it counts for nothing.”
Florence flies out for his first training session on the course this week and plans on being a regular visitor to South America in the next eight months.
He said: “I had a couple of days off after the trials, but I’m straight back into it and the focus is now firmly on Rio.
“We spent last week going through our coaching programme and we head out to Rio on Thursday for our first look at the course.
“It’s really important as every venue is different and a big part of performing well is knowing the water, the gates and adapting when it’s time to race.
“We’ll be there for three weeks and then we will be back out in March working for two weeks every month right up to the Games.
“We’re allocated 55 training days on the course which is why the trials were held so early. The thinking was it would be better for everyone to spend as much time as possible preparing for the Games in Rio and I hope the decision pays off.”
Florence will have two chances of gold in Rio, but the painful lessons learned from the world championships in London in September have been heeded for the Scot and his English partner Hounslow. He said: “Richard and I were disappointed with our performance at the world championships this year.
“We were a long way off due to two minor penalties, but if you take those penalties out we would have won the race with the quickest time.
“Those are the fine margins involved in this sport.
“We’re paddling pretty well and believe we will be a strong contender next year, but we’re one of many teams who will be feeling exactly the same way.”
As his first sight of Rio looms on the horizon this week the familiar feeling of butterflies in the stomach have begun rumbling for Florence.
Like rower Katherine Grainger, Florence had been cast in the role of bridesmaid in his previous Olympic events.
Grainger ended her years of frustration by memorably claiming gold in London and Florence would love to emulate her success.
But if he does not he will not regard his Olympic career as a failure.
He said: “I’m very excited now. Winning world championships is fantastic, but to win an Olympic gold is the Holy Grail.
“Every race I’ve won in the last three years has been part of the build-up to Rio but I don’t feel extra motivation to do well after claiming silver in London in 2012 and Beijing in 2008.
“I’m very proud to have two silver Olympic medals, but I don’t want to sound unambitious and say I wouldn’t like a gold medal.
“The two Games I’ve been at so far, I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a feeling of disappointment at not winning gold.
“But on both occasions I did the best I could. I prepared as best as I could but couldn’t quite do it.
“I would feel arrogant saying those silver medals don’t matter because they do.
“But would I like a gold? Of course I would.”
“I’ve had good results since London, but come Rio it counts for nothing”