Olympic medallists return to rowing

British Rowing has announced the return of five of their top athletes to elite rowing. Olympic Champions Mark Hunter, Zac Purchase and Tom James have returned to the team as well as Olympic silver medallists Debbie Flood and Frances Houghton.

Olympic silver medal coxswain of the British men’s eight, Acer Nethercott has also indicated that he plans to return to the squad later this season.

The GB Rowing Team News stated:

“Hunter, winner of the lightweight men's double scull gold with Purchase in Beijing, has been coaching in California during his year out whilst Tom James has undertaken a variety of charity, coaching and work-related activities and ran the London Marathon. Purchase was ruled out of the competitive season after the aftermath of a virus in February prevented him from coming back to full fitness in time for the World Cups and World Championships.

Hunter said:  "My year away coaching at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) has totally refreshed me and watching my athletes train and compete with such a buzz and excitement reminded me why I love training and racing so much. Also with 2012 being in London how could the East End boy miss his home Olympics!".

Houghton followed her passion for cookery to Ireland, Italy and beyond whilst Flood has been completing her probationary year with the Prison Service.

"I am very excited and really looking forward to being back", said Houghton for whom Beijing was her third Olympic Games in succession after a successful career as a junior.  "It’s amazing what a break can do and, after an incredible year, I couldn’t be more motivated to get there again".

Houghton and Flood were part of the British women’s quad, along with Katherine Grainger and Annie Vernon, that won silver in Beijing. Grainger raced in the single this season while Vernon moved into the double.

The British lightweight men's squad will be strengthened by the news that Richard Chambers, World Champion in the lightweight men's four in 2007, has recovered from a back injury to come back to full training.

Copy thanks to British Rowing.

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