Retired Gregory heaps praise on former coach Grobler

Gregory, who won gold in the coxless four in each of the last two Olympic Games, announced last week that he is retiring from the sport at the age of 32, with five world championship titles to his name.

The 6ft 6in Leander Club rower also won two European gold medals in his career, as well as a silver from 2015 in the eight.

He hung up his oar last week but posted a blog article this week to thank those who helped him through his career.

With sections dedicated to Alex Cook, Keith Rafter, Dave Perry, Mark Earnshaw, crew mates and British Rowing, his most heartfelt thanks were reserved for his coach, and the mastermind of the nation's rowing success since Grobler began his coaching journey with Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent in 1992.

"You could write a book about Jurgen and still not get anywhere close to what this man is really like," said Gregory.

"It was daunting turning up and rowing in front of Jurgen for the first time way back in 2004 but he quickly put me at ease. He has this clever way of making everyone feel equal even when quite clearly you are not; I certainly wasn't when I first turned up!

"I've learnt so much from this great man whose reputation will live forever more in the world of sport. It's brought an enormous sense of pride calling Jurgen my coach for so long, perhaps that's all part of his secret to success.

"Trust, belief and respect lies at the bottom of it all and I've always believed he's trusted, believed in and respected me. How or why I don't know but thankfully he has, and that's a significant part of why I now have two Olympic gold medals on a shelf at home.

"In 2008 he threw me a lifeline which stopped me from falling over the brink and walking away from rowing forever having never won a race. That was a turning point right there."

Sportsbeat 2017