Olympic hopeful Alistair Heathcote says his professional military training and tours of duty in Iraq have had a real impact on his rowing career.

The Wandsworth rower told BBC London 94.9: "When I'm tired, hungry, cold and wet out on the lake it's not a new experience for me to deal with."

Heathcote has been selected for the first World Cup event of the season and is likely to be in the Olympic eight.

He added: "It's a different type of nerves, but something I can draw on."