If you haven’t yet discovered and followed Alex’s blog – we recommend subscribing.  His latest post is about the British sporting “slump” being reported in the media.

Alex Gregory [photo credit GB Rowing]

But what’s happening now? Performance is dropping, the standards are slipping. We became blasè about the incredible results we were seeing but now it seems a dark cloud of depression has crept over the country.

Consistency of performance is hard – but Alex credits British Rowing for having cracked this knotty issue as they continue to deliver results year on year on year.

I believe much of this is down to the coaches who write the programmes. Time aged and tested training regimes that relentlessly put the athletes through their paces 7 days a week, 350 days a year. It’s also down to the athletes who strive every day to perform in the cauldron of competitiveness that is a fight for a seat. What we do is in no way motivated by money. There’s no chance to let up, go on holiday and relax. Weekends are non existent it’s all about the boat.

We commented

Great article. It was so frustrating 2 weeks ago when the media were covering F1 and Wimbledon and failing to see success writ large at Henley Royal Regatta. Only Rachel Quarrell in the Telegraph got a decent piece printed. That’s why blogs are needed to redress the balance.

And Alex Replied

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks very much for the comment, it’s really good to hear your view on this. It is frustrating when our sport produces consistently good performances time and time again, but the more we discuss, promote and generate conversation around Rowing, the more people will take notice and start to enjoy it themselves. It’s a great sport after all!

Many thanks,

Alex