Coach tips NI rowers for Olympic gold

Published Tuesday, 31 July 2012
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Coleraine's trio of Olympic rowers are being hotly tipped for medal success in London after a great day at the Games.

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Alan Campbell and brothers Peter and Richard Chambers all comfortably progressed at Eton Dorney on Tuesday morning.

Campbell made it through to the semi-finals of the single sculls, winning his heat ahead of Germany's Marcel Hacker.

The 29-year-old led from the start and finished with a time of 6:52.10.

"I'm really, really pleased with that after events in the the last world cup. I feel that I've laid a few ghosts to rest today," he said.

"It's been disappointing in the past to come to major events and not be able to give of my best because of injury or illness. I'm really enjoying the racing but you have to keep a lid on things a bit and take it one step at a time."

Meanwhile the Chambers, also of Coleraine, are safely through to the final of the lightweight fours after winning their semi-final with a time of 5:59.68.

They were part of the British crew which eased into the lead after cruising behind Switzerland, they moved up through the gears to become the fastest qualifiers and were cheered by crowds all the way down the course.

Local rowing coach Simon Hamilton says there is a growing buzz around the trio and hopes they can bring medals home to Northern Ireland.

He said: "I've had the pleasure of sitting in a boat with Alan in the past and I know he is a very inspired man and very determined, and he's shown so much grit over the years.

"There's an excitement and a buzz, you can detect that when you listen to the commentary and an expectation is growing for Alan that maybe wasn't there a while ago.

"The Olympic sculls is a very tough event - these are gladiators and Alan is one of those guys and it's marvellous to see him producing at the right time.

"I believe he'll get a medal - and I would love to say it's gold."

Meanwhile Richard and his younger brother Peter are Britain's first brothers to row together at the Olympics since 1992.

Back in Barcelona the Searle brothers won gold and Mr Hamilton, who coached Richard, is hopeful that the Chambers can do the same.

He continued: "We're all hoping to see a gold medal from Richard and Peter!"

Campbell will race in the sculls semi-final on Wednesday, while the lightweight fours final will take place on Thursday.

© UTV News
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1 Comments
John in Belfast in Belfast wrote (296 days ago):
Good luck to all the Irish/ Northern Irish Olympians represneting Team Ireland and Team GB.
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