Ian Ferguson will be "a bundle of nerves" today when his son Steven tries to emulate his K1 500m gold medal win of 24 years ago.
Steven Ferguson is through to what promises to be a flying final, after winning his semifinal on Thursday.
And he if does
get on the podium at the Shunyi course today, Ian Ferguson might just have a glistening in the eyes as befitting a proud father.
In 1984, Ian Ferguson won gold in the K1 500m, the K2 500m with Paul MacDonald and the K4 1000m with Grant Bramwell, Alan Thompson and MacDonald.
But Steven played down any emotional aspect from his perspective about today.
"I set it aside, don't even think about it," he said of the prospect of another Olympic medal to put in the family collection.
"I like to focus on myself. What Dad has done was a phenomenal effort and if I get anything close to him it would be great for me."
Ian Ferguson rated Steven's semifinal win as "the best race he has ever done".
"Under pressure, a big race, six top guys in there," he said. "He's got a habit of looking sideways. He didn't look, I've said `don't worry about them, you can't slow them down, all you can do is go past them,' and he did."
Ian Ferguson admitted he'll do it tough watching his son in the final, his second after yesterday's K2 1000m final with Mike Walker.
"It's going to be damned hard, but I can't get out and start warming up myself," he said. "I've just got to relax, watch, wait and hope."
But he maintained the hard part is done, in that he has made the final.
"I'm happy now. Whatever happens, happens. He's there, he can't disgrace himself and whatever he does now is just a bonus."
For Steven Ferguson he'll leave Beijing content. "Two races, two finals at the Olympics; you can't ask much more than that."
