Lucy licking his lips (From Free Press Series)

Lucy licking his lips

4:29pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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MONMOUTH'S Tom Lucy finally got the news he has waited his whole life for last week - he has been selected for the Olympics.

The 20-year-old rower, from Llangovan, is the youngest in the Great Britain men's eight heading to China to compete next month though is joined by fellow Welshman Tom James in the squad.

Alongside Lucy in the eight will be Alex Partridge, Tom Stallard, Richard Egington, Josh West, Alastair Heathcote, Matt Langridge and Colin Smith with cox Acer Nethercott.

Commenting on his selection, Lucy said: "I'm cuffed to bits. To get the nod in the eight is brilliant.

"It's the boat I wanted to be in and to finally get your name nailed on that seat feels brilliant."

David Tanner, Team GB's rowing team leader, said: "The Olympic Games bring out the best in every athlete whatever the sport. Everyone will be trying to peak at the right time on the right day, including the Chinese hosts who have emerged in the last four years to be a formidable force in our sport.

"We go to Beijing confident but aware of the size of the task ahead."

Lucy is a former pupil of Monmouth School and learned to row at the school where he showed remarkable promise.

He made his senior GB debut the year after he left Monmouth, aged just 19, when he won a bronze medal in the World Championships in Munich. At the first World Cup of 2008, he raced in the men's four, substituting for the injured James and his crew went on to win gold.

Dr Steven Connors, the school's headmaster, said: "We are immensely proud of Tom Lucy and all that he has achieved as a rower. We know that he has trained hard and put a career in the Marines on hold to pursue his Olympic dream.

"We shall be glued to the screen in August willing him, and the rest of the eight, to win their ultimate goal - an Olympic gold medal."

He added that Lucy will be one of four past pupils of Monmouth School at this summer's Olympics. Robin Williams will be in Beijing as the men's lightweight coach; former Wales rugby star Eddie Butler is now a BBC commentator and Lord Colin Moynihan, who won silver in the GB rowing eight in 1980, will be in Beijing as co-chair of the British Olympic Committee.

The British Olympic Association are still to decide on the line-up for some rowing events but said the final number of competitors would be 43 - including the men's pair and women's eight - in 12 boats.

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008's chef de mission, said: "I am delighted that the BOA will take 43 rowers in 12 boats to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - the largest Team GB contingent since 1992 and reflective of the nation's recent increased strength in depth in this traditionally strong sport for us at the Olympic Games.

"I am sure the athletes - a mix of first time athletes like Tom and experienced rowers - will be looking to continue their recent World Cup medal winning performances out in Beijing.

"I wish them all the best in their final preparations and in competition at the Olympic Games."

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