For a man who has a chance to become Australia’s most decorated Olympic oarsman in London later this year, Drew Ginn is surprisingly dismissive of the importance of pedigree in achieving success at the Games. Ginn is heading to London in search of his fourth Olympic gold in his fourth Games and is determined to upset the hosts by reclaiming the coxless fours title he won as part of Australia’s “Oarsome Foursome” in Atlanta 16 years ago.
After winning more golds in the coxless pairs in Athens and Beijing, the 37-year-old has returned to the four-man boat for London, where he could better the Olympic record of compatriot James Tomkins and draw within a single title of Briton Steve Redgrave’s historic haul. “It’s something I don’t think about until someone mentions it,” Ginn told Reuters in an interview at Australia’s final team workout before they head off to Europe.