ROWING hero Tom James is preparing to say goodbye to the sport that brought him two Olympic gold medals.
The 29-year-old has given the strongest indication yet that he will not be competing at the next Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
James, a former King’s School Chester student who began his rowing career on the River Dee, won Olympic gold in the men’s coxless fours at Beijing in 2008 and in London last year.
But he has taken the last year off and is ‘pretty sure’ he will not be rowing in Brazil in four years’ time.
Speaking as he became an honorary fellow of Bangor University, James said he was now ‘adjusting to real life and planning what I do next’.
He added: “I am pretty sure I am not going to be competing in Rio. I will be keeping fit and seeing what I will be doing later on. There is no reason to suggest it is definitely the end but I know the next stage is going to be away from rowing.
“Injuries is something that is part of being a sportsman but that would have no affect on my decision.”
James reflected on his incredibly successful career and the period after London 2012.
He said: “Initially, it was great fun because we were invited to a lot of special occasions and it did not wind down until the Sports Personality of the Year Awards in December.
“Since then it has been about adjusting to real life and planning what I am going to do next.
“I have done a lot of travelling and seen more of the world rather than just 2km lakes.”
James grew up in Coedpoeth, near Wrexham. His rowing ability was spotted while he was at The King’s School and he continued to row while he studied at Cambridge University, winning the Boat Race in 2007 – the year he graduated with an engineering degree.
He said it had been ‘fantastic’ to have received his honorary fellowship from Bangor University.
