Comments on: Going for gold: the Olympic diary of rower James Chapman

By: Sydney Simon

Sydney Simon — Sat, 24 May 2008 06:45:12 +0000

Obviously “Dr. Mac” does not understand what rowing does the the physiology of the body.Unlike running, rowing is a power event in that you have to haul yourseld and your boat through water which presents magnatudes of resistance great than air, or the footfall of a runner.

Furthermore, rowers hit maximum heartrate soon after the race begins and must hold that level for the entire race.If there was one athletic event that was close to rowing it would be 400 metre hurdles.Only that rowers do it for 5 minutes, not 1 minute.

There are plenty of events in history to display just how hard rowing is, it is one of the few events along with cycling, where rowers have had seizures or even died after races.Also, in rowing, you cant stop if you feel tired.The only thing that would let you out of the trouble Sally Robins got into, would be if you went on to have a heart attack.That being said,as a former grade rower for Sydney Rowing Club, those girls in the boat that criticised Sally sure seemed to have plenty of energy to have a go at her when she fell.I question how in the hell any Olympic rower could have enough energy to muster that level of agression after an event, unless they were bludging.That is what I charge Sally Robin’s former crew mates of, bludging.

Great article James, keep it up.Rowing is in my view the absolute elite sport of discipline,power, endurance and overcoming the pain barrier.

By: Adam

Adam — Sat, 24 May 2008 01:56:56 +0000

D.Mac The funny thing is i would be willing to make a bet on the fact that an athlete like James could out swim, out run, out ride and out lift you not to mention out row you. jump on an ergo old mate and smash out a 2k max and see if you feel like smashing out another soon after. Brilliant results at the world cup James keep up the good work.

By: Ed Sullivan

Ed Sullivan — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:24:09 +0000

Well D. Mac it looks like you got out of the wrong side of bed. I’m sure with comments like that you must be worthy of an oil painting. Tax payers dollars? my bet is it ain’t half what the government is paying in your medical bills, get of the couch and stop complaining… no one is interested.

By: D. Mac

D. Mac — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:05:25 +0000

Um James… With a head like that, maybe don’t include any more photo’s… Unless you have a hat and sunnies on.
And how about less whinging about the cold and more training? Surely rowing being such a hard sport that you can only compete in 1 event (track runners and swimmers do heaps – maybe that’s why they’re popular) it must keep you pretty warm.
But seriously… sounds like a hoot, keep up the good work while my tax dollars are paying for you to be overseas… You’d better win bucko!

By: Sam Cooper

Sam Cooper — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:40:49 +0000

Top stuff chappo. Great reading. Keep the updates coming.

By: Gambler

Gambler — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:22:44 +0000

Fantastic article – I am greatly looking forward to the next installment! Good luck at the World Champs and all the rest of your Beijing preparations!!!!

By: Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:59:28 +0000

im likin what im reading here..i will come back to this regulary. I hear things such as the olympic team having there own chef to avoid contamination. This in theory is a good idea, personally you should stick to a winning formulae which is me..bring me over there and ill lead the charge in the culinary department..On a serious note, bloody good hustle and good luck..

By: Miss Fromagerie

Miss Fromagerie — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:54:37 +0000

Fab words, looking forward to the updates, but most importantly the unveiling of what actually goes on in the athletes villiage.
Finally an inside scoop!
Keep travelling fit, and representing the green and gold with fair dinkham spirit.

By: Running Bear

Running Bear — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:35:09 +0000

This bloke can row and write! Its great to be able to get some ‘behind the scenes’ from our gold medal definates. Keep up the good work and keep putting oar to paper!

P.S. It looks like de Castella has hold of your gluteus maximus in that top photo.

By: Dozza

Dozza — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:37:19 +0000

Good one Chappo!!! Very informative, can’t wait for the next “Roar”. It will be interesting to see who will cox the chinese 8 after their strange selection of same & how good will they be!! Luv ya work.

By: Trudy

Trudy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:48:48 +0000

Well ,it is count down to Beijing and what an achievement that you have come this far. Your tenacity and determination have paid off for you to achieve a dream.You’re on the way! Good luck – you have a great team with you in the boat and a great team behind you all the way, your country, your family and friends. Look forward to all the updates on the progress of the campaign.

By: Jasmine

Jasmine — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:35:54 +0000

This sounds like an amazing experience!! Hope you are enjoying Canberra! Good luck for 3 May in China!!!

By: Madame Goulash

Madame Goulash — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:59:10 +0000

More importantly… about that lycra situation. Does that mean because it will be 40 degrees in Beijing, there will be less lycra?? More photos please! Seriously though, congratulations on a fine achievement after many many years of hard work and dedication. All the best with the preparations and feeding sessions!

By: Jolly Frog

Jolly Frog — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:19:16 +0000

An Aussie IV went to China in 2005 on the way to the World Champs in Japan . They were only there 10 minutes when 3 of 4 of them ended up in hospital on drips with the chromic shits etc from food poisoning . This is no way to treat international athletes visiting your country . Clearly the Chiese don’t care and it gives their athletes a better chance if they can make all the visiting competitors sick before they compete . What are the plans to prevent this happening this time to our boys and girls competing ; do you want me to arrange a coupla pallets of VB and a bag of ice and the Aussies just stick to a liquid diet of good Aussie brew until the racing is over ? Hopefully the Aussie rowing squad , the whole Olympic Aussie team going to China , has a plan to manage this serious risk . Any way , good luck ~ kick arse , no prisoners !

By: Fridge

Fridge — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:35:08 +0000

Great article, i can’t wait for the next installment…

By: Spiro Zavos

Spiro Zavos — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:36:53 +0000

This is a fantastic post which takes us right inside the rigorous, Spartan life of an Olympic athlete. It gets to the heart of what the Olympics are really about – young people, in the prime of their lives, dedicating themselves to become the best in the world at their particular sports. The rowing eights is a glamour event and I’ll be following the James Chapman Olymoic diary with great interest, all the way – hopefully – to the winning finishing line.