Tewkesbury's Zac Purchase is not underestimating his rivals for lightweight double sculls Olympic gold.
Purchase, 22, and partner Mark Hunter are favourites for gold in Beijing after this year claiming World Cup wins in Munich, Lucerne and Poznan.
Purchase told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "In our event we have 10 boats good enough for a medal.
"To even qualify for a spot at the Olympic Games you've got to be good, especially in the lightweight double."
He added: "Being the lead crew this season, everybody's going to be trying to beat us. The aim is not to feel they're putting pressure on us but make sure the pressure we feel is from within our boat to really improve what we're doing."
Purchase says the key to his successful partnership with Hunter is that they are able to switch off when not in the boat.
"It's a combination between our psychological and mental determination and our ability to relax and take time out," he said. "We maximise what training time we do have together."
His rivals are warned, however, that his relaxed attitude hides a fierce determination.
"I do this sport purely for winning. The best thing in the world is to cross that finishing line in a gold medal position."
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