Waddell's thanks go to everyone

By PETER JESSUP

Rob Waddell's priorities after winning his gold medal in the single sculls were a shower, a feed ... and a big thank-you to everyone who helped lift him to be the best in the world.

Hours later, he was still looking for the first two as relatives, friends, rowers and supporters kept turning up at the rowing team's Penrith house to offer congratulations.

"I went into town to do a television interview, starving and smelly,"Waddell said.

"Back at the house everyone was into a bit of a celebration. The good thing was I got to catch up with heaps of people I haven't seen much of lately."

Around 80 people were invited and double that number dropped in, so only a couple of sausages and some coleslaw were left by the time the star got to eat.

It wasn't a late night and Waddell drank "not too many" beers.

Yesterday, the team was de-rigging its boats in preparation for shipping home and packing gear for a shift back to the athletes' village. Waddell and his wife, fellow-rower Sonia, were off to the athletics last night and wanted to see as many other events as they could in the coming week.

But yesterday, he was still giving thanks to the people who helped him along the way - and there were quite a few.

Offering to list them all, he started with Mum and Dad, Jim and Susan Waddell, who have travelled all over the world to support him.

Rob shared an emotional moment with his father in Cologne, Germany, when he sprang a big surprise and won his first world championship.

"That's where it all started."

Then there was Sonia - "Thanks for your rock-solid support, guidance and friendship."

Next a bunch of relatives - "The Waddells and Scowns, the Ronaldsons, the Sharp families, the Bartleys and the Scotts - thank you for your overwhelming love and support.

"They're all great supporters and many of them are here.

"The trouble they go to get messages of support to me all around the world is amazing."

Next were the coaches, with incumbent Dick Tonks first. Tonks has taken him to the two world titles and won the Halberg Coach of the Year title along the way.

There was also team coach Steve Gunn to thank as well as Gordon Trevett and Harry Mahon.

The Waikato farming territory Waddell comes from got a big thank-you, as did his old primary school at Pio Pio.

"They've sent heaps of messages, great faxes. And there's the Burgesses and Munroes [hometown Cambridge pharmacy], the Cambridge Fitness Centre, St Andrew's Parish [where he and Sonia were married], thanks for the fantastic backing, all of you."

The Waikato Rowing Club had been a source of inspiration, in particular competition rowers Ian Wright, Rob Hamill, Mike Roger and Chris White.

Cambridge boat-builder Bob Rout had been a big help. He made Waddell's single scull craft, and before the race was helping make last-minute adjustments to ensure nothing went wrong.

A big medical team was involved, giving physiotherapy and massage to repair muscle strains, and treatment for a problem with an irregular heart beat.

Waddell thanked Dr Steven Lillis, Duncan Reid, Professor Norman Sharp, Drs Tony Edwards and Hugh McAlister, Dale McClunie, Dave Slyfield and Brett Smith.

NZ Rowing and its sponsor, Mighty River Power, were on the list, with individual sponsors the Sports Foundation, Telecom, adidas, Oakley sunglasses and Chrysler Jeep.

So was his publicity and media support squad of former athletes Glenda Hughes, Susan Devoy, John Parker and Murray Gutrie.

"And a big thank you to all the people in New Zealand," Waddell said.

"There are so many people who have helped me achieve my dream."

Geoff Crawshaw, the vicar of St Andrew's Anglican Church in Cambridge, where Rob and Sonia Waddell were married in 1998, said he blessed Waddell's boat shortly before he left for the Olympics.

Unbeknown to Waddell, he also put two small wooden crosses inside the craft, and a letter of support.

But the vicar, himself a former rower, does not believe divine intervention had anything to do with Waddell's success. He attributes it to a lot of hard work in training.

"He's put the hours in and this is the result. What I like about Rob is ... he has balanced material and spiritual attitudes and has reached his full potential."

Neil Brooks, principal of Piopio Primary School, said everyone from the school was overwhelmed by Waddell's achievement.

"The school has supported Rob throughout all his World Cup rowing. We've sent him faxes over the years wherever he's competed in the world. The Olympics was the culmination of that and we shared a little bit of his joy."

Mr Brooks said Waddell had visited the school several times and the pupils loved him.

"He's a very modest young man ... he's very unassuming.

"He can talk to adults and 5-year-olds equally well. He just seems to be a man of the people."

Mr Brooks hoped Waddell would bring his gold medal to the school to show the children.

Dr Steven Lillis, the New Zealand rowing team's doctor, was full of praise for Waddell, especially for overcoming problems with an irregular heartbeat.



"It wasn't a minor thing, it was serious for an athlete," he said.

"I think it is quite remarkable.

"It's the toughest type of rowing race there is and for him to be top in the world for more than two years is an extraordinary performance."

Dr Lillis said Waddell had the focus and determination to arrive at his goals.

And he was an inspiration to others.

"I've had people contacting me with their own heart problems saying that if Rob can do what he's done, then I should be able to achieve highly as well."

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