If the high point in James Cracknell's career was his marvellous gold in Sydney, then the undoubted low point was missing the Atlanta Games in 1996.

He was to compete in the double scull competition after finishing tenth in the World Championships, putting in a tremendous amount of preparation for the Olympics.

Upon his arrival in Atlanta, however, he was laid low by a virus that ruled him out of the competition.

It is a testament to his character, and his love of the sport, that he came through such a disappointing experience stronger and more determined to fulfil his obvious potential.

Talent

His talent had showed itself in 1990 when, aged 18, he won gold at the World Junior Championships as part of Britain's coxless fours, the event in which he would win Olympic gold ten years later.

In 1991 he was selected for the coxless four who finished seventh in the 1991 World Championships, and in the next year he won a silver medal in the eight at the World Student Games.

A change in direction followed in 1995 when he switched to sculling, starting a process that ended with that awful virus.

But he recovered well and returned to sweep rowing and the coxless fours, walking straight back into the national team.

Invaluable

Since that point he has been a mainstay of the four, adding to the muscle provided by Redgrave and Pinsent, proving himself invaluable.

What next? He has yet to decide on whether to go for Athens 2004 - and who can blame him? - but has said that he intends to go to law school.

He is already qualified as Geography teacher, and is studying for an MSc in Sports Science, but who knows what he will decide when he returns to his rowing club, Leander, to a hero's welcome?