Roeipraet 4-2019

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Mahe Drysdale: the trek to Tokyo – the older, wiser and just as determined Kotsend en doodziek kwam de drievoudig wereldkampioen in 2008 over de finish van de olympische finale in China, maar won wel brons. Sindsdien ben ik groot bewonderaar van skiffeur Mahe Drysdale uit Nieuw-Zeeland, die in Londen en Rio wél het goud pakte en in 2020 als 41-jarige (!) opgaat voor zijn derde olympische titel, maar dan in de Kiwi-acht. Via www.nlroei.nl kwam ik een mooi artikel over hem op het spoor, dat ik ter inspiratie graag deel met onze Roeipraetlezers. Robin Sterk It’s a brisk, overcast winter’s afternoon. Lake Karapiro is still. The trees reflecting off the glassy water. It’s quiet. It’s not often it is. Then, all six-foot-six of Mahe Drysdale emerges. He breaks into a hurried walk, and makes his way down.

If you ever needed further proof that Drysdale is the ever-consummate professional, this is it. The two-time Olympic gold medalist has managed to squeeze in half an hour to chat. “Sorry mate, we have another trai- ning,” he explains as he sits down.

Another training. How many of them have there been? At least one already today, but how many over the last couple of decades. How many times has he sat in a boat or on a rowing machine? The hair is certainly thinner and greyer and there are a few more wrinkles, but the determination seems as prominent as ever. Suffering from dehydration and exhaustion, 2008

The 40-year-old is measured. It’s almost like every move is part of a precise schedule which has him on the path to Olympic glory. Emotion is carefully con- veyed. Even when handed a pair of headphones to listen to Radio Sport’s com- mentary of him narrowly winning gold in Rio, Drysdale hardly hesitates.

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