Ben Fouhy World Champion K1 1000m Kayaking New Zealand

I am still coming down from the whole experience of the last four years. So I thought I would just do a quick update to say thanks to all those people who have supported me. Hopefully I will get a more comprehensive update out around the middle of the coming week.

I am really happy with my race. I didn’t achieve my goal of becoming Olympic champion but personally I am very satisfied with what I have been able to achieve with how I have been going. In a funny way fourth feels like Gold to me.

I am not bothered that I was fourth as I missed bronze by a bit. Given where I am physically at I feel I have had the psychological race of my career.

Now I will enjoy watching the rest of the racing and sit back and relax.

I have had a great start to my time in Beijing. At this stage training has been conservative just allowing time to settle in and adjust to the climate and the different lifestyle that the village brings.

When we first arrived we were welcomed into the village with a Haka led by Dallas Seymour. Inspiring stuff.

On the flight from Sydney to China I felt privileged to be seated beside none other than Olympic 800m champ Steve Ovett who was on his way to the games for a commentating role. Interesting guy and very humble.
Speaking of humble as we walked in we ran into Julian Dean. Top Kiwi Tour de France rider. Last time I spoke to Julian was in Athens and I was impressed with what a down to earth guy he was. Still the same it was a reminder of just how special it is to be in the Olympic Village. Around world class Athletes without the try hard attitudes.

Today to avoid driving out to the course twice or having a long day out there ( as its 40mins to 1hr away) I decided to do a light aerobic session on the treadmill and ergs in the gym based inside the village, then after lunch travel out to the course for one paddle session. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the gym. I had to constantly remind myself it was just a light wake up session as it was easy to find yourself wanting to get stuck into a serious work out which wasn’t the objective. It was motivating working out in the company of over 100 other world class athletes. The lay and equipment was top of the line.

On the way back from the gym I saw World Time trial champion and multiple Tour de France stage winner Fabian Cancellara – the swiss rider who took the bronze in the mens road race who was being interviewed outside their apartments which are right next door to us. He was kind enough to chat for a bit and have a photo taken with me.

Just before I go I thought I would show you a cool little surprise I received the other day from Red Beach school.

Inside the posters are lots and lots of heartfelt hand written messages. Really cool so thanks kids. I hope you will enjoy following the Olympics as much as I will enjoying taking part in them.

Only one more day to go and I am on the plane to Beijing. Yesterday I had my last chance gym work out before the big “weigh in” two weeks away.

I am really pleased with how I have been able to hold onto strength while leaning up a bit on the body fat. I am now down to 84kgs which is 3kg less than when I raced in Europe. On the dumbbell rows which is my favorite exercise I have maintained strength despite dropping off the excess weight which is good.

It has been so good to come back to New Zealand – home.

The amount of support and energy that I have received since Ive been back has been overwhelming! As my lead up to Athens in 2004 was all based in Europe I didnt really understand how much support there was.

To all the people that have emailed, come up to me in the street or over to me when Ive been out for dinner thank you very much! It really means a lot.

I have worked really really hard this year and havnt quite been able to express the level of paddling that I have worked so hard to attain.

I know its in there somewhere and although Ive had some doubt I am not giving in! I am really looking forward to the Olympic experience now that Ive had the opportunity to come home and catch my breath. It has been an unexpected bonus to be home so close to the games. It has allowed me to reconnect with what it means to represent your country at the highest level rather than just oneself.