Colleague backs golden boy Hodge to shine at Olympics (From Craven Herald)

Colleague backs golden boy Hodge to shine at Olympics

10:25am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Sport

Olympic coxless four gold medallist Ed Coode has backed Hebden’s Andy Hodge to be a London 2012 star turn – whatever boat he ends up in.

Hodge, alongside team-mates Pete Reed, Tom James and Steve Williams, continued Great Britain’s coxless four dynasty at Beijing in 2008, claiming the nation’s third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event in China.

Despite joining a list of former winners that included Sir Steve Redgrave, Hodge was promptly selected for the men’s double alongside Reed.

While on paper three consecutive World Championship silver medals would appear to be a smooth transition, in the dog-eat-dog world of British rowing their displays have led to calls for their return to the four for London 2012.

To some such a late u-turn would be a cause for concern however Coode – who took gold in Athens in 2004 – believes Hodge, and partner Reed, have the temperament to deal with it.

“There are no set rules on how things work in terms of people moving across or changing boats,” said Coode – who knows only too well British Rowing’s penchant for late switches having been ‘demoted’ from the four to the pair in the run up to Sydney in 2000.

“It would be up to their strength of character to see how they would react if they were moved back into the four.

“I know they would be able to do it easily but you can see how it could potentially be a negative influence on the boat.

“If they feel like they haven’t achieved the results that they think they are capable of in the double and they are put into the four that could be devastating.

“I don’t think it would be a worry with those two.”

To Reed and Hodge’s doubters the manner with which they have had to settle for second best on the world stage points to their powers being on the wane.

Their brilliant Kiwi rivals Hamish Bond and Eric Murray secured their 14th consecutive win over the British pair in taking gold at the World Champion-ships in Slovenia last September.

Coode is not convinced by the negativity surrounding the British duo Instead he is suggesting the manner with which they have taken the fight to their rivals proves their London 2012 credentials.

“They have got the confidence from a gold medal in Beijing and the never say die attitude that they have shown in their battle with the New Zealanders would undoubtedly be an asset,” added Coode – speaking at a P&G road show in Exeter. “Both them and the Kiwis have got better and it shows how much improvement they have made and how much talent they have.”

l Ed Coode was speaking at the Exeter leg of the ‘nearest & dearest’ roadshow in partnership with P&G – supporting family and friends of all Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes in the lead up to London 2012. For more information visit www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk