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Rheinisch in action in London last summer. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
New Year

Rheinisch not looking too far into the future

Three-time Olympian Eoin Rheinisch plans to compete again this year but hasn’t made any decisions on whether he’ll still be around for Rio 2016.

EOIN RHEINISCH IS getting back into the water but the three-time Olympian insists Rio 2016 isn’t on his radar yet.

Rheinisch, 32, revealed yesterday that he has taken up a coaching role with Ireland’s junior and developmental canoe squads this season.

But with the disappointment of the London Games still lingering, the Kildare athlete has also decided to continue his own training for one more year.

“I’ve decided to keep my training going for the time being, for this year, to see where that brings me but I’ve taken on a coaching role as well,” he said. “At this stage I’m really dipping my toe in the water and seeing what’s out there for me.

“I’ve been a full-time athlete for 12 years now so it has been quite difficult for me to make that change, but it know it’s coming. Really, Rio isn’t on my radar at all at the moment.”

An agonising fourth in the K1 slalom final in Beijing five years ago, Rheinisch saw his medal chances swept away last summer when his canoe touched the bottom and he missed a gate in the Olympic semi.

Although he was in good form in the lead up to the Olympics, the season was overshadowed by that one unlucky error in Lee Valley, he says. This year the focus will be on the World Canoe Slalom Championships which take place in the Czech Republic in September.

“I think last year, although I had a poor result at the Games and was disappointed not to make the final, I had a great run of form during the season and the manner I qualified in.

“That’s part of the reason why I’ve decided to do one more year competing myself.

Last year was a great year but that mistake defines it because that’s when the media limelight is on it. But really, in terms of form and how I felt, I felt better prepared going in to London than I did in Beijing.

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