On a recent thread there was discussion about the best ever athlete…Sir Steve Redgrave (Brirish rower) was mentioned (with good reason)…But here is a quote from Redgrave about Australia’s James Tomkins in this mornings newspaper
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(http://www.theage.com.au/olympics/articles/2004/08/18/1092765018107.html):
Prior to the race, Tomkins, a dual gold medallist with the Oarsome Foursome, received the ultimate praise from the ultimate source - Britain’s iconic oarsman Sir Steve Redgrave. The winner of gold medals at five successive Olympics labelled Tomkins’s achievements superior to his own, given the logistical problems that beset all Australian rowers competing internationally.
“I think he’s done so much more than I have, even though I had been going longer,” said Redgrave. “Doing it from Australia is extremely tough.”
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Here is a backgrounder on Tomkins: http://www.elitesports.com.au/esp_site/main/talent/athlete_profiles/006.html
Tomkins won a World Championship in the men’s 8 in 1986 and might just win gold in Athens to add to his ‘92 and 96’ gold medals…
As big a fan of Tomkins as I am (I was a schoolboy rowing coach when the awesome foursome were at their peak in the early 90’s), think Sir Steve is just being very humble…Tomkins probably the second best oarsmen we have seen, Redgrave still #1…