ETON DORNEY,  June 16, 2012 - Olympic K1 Canoeing Champion Tim Brabants has put his medical career on hold as he bids to retain his title in London but he has admitted he still relishes  the day to day drama of life as a doctor.

“I do miss  the medical career.  It is frustrating that I am an older doctor with younger seniors. I am a lot further down than colleagues who I started with, but they have not been to the Olympics. I would not change what I have done for anything.”he said.

These will be Brabant’s fourth Olympic Games. With a gold and two bronze medals, he is Britain’s most decorated canoeist. Each time he’s competed, he’s taken a break from the sport to resume his medical career.For the road to London, he decided to put medicine on hold again back in 2010.

“I have gained a lot in terms of experience through sport that is useful in the medical environment , you learn how to deal with pressure and stress , being part of the team communicating  - all useful skills, it is not time lost”.

Jessica Walker was only 18 when made her Olympic debut in Beijing. She had the unusual experience of competing in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival as an Olympian where she won silver and bronze.

“In Beijing I was a very small fish in a big pond but at the Youth Games I went to being a bigger fish.” She said.

At 21 she is still the youngest of the  Olympic squad but her experience makes her a senior member of the Quadruple Kayak crew.

“Jess sets out a really good rhythm , she can feel if we are early or late.”said crew mate Louisa Sawers. Rachel Cawthorn and Angela Hannah complete the K4.

Walker will also compete in the new 200m events. World Champion Ed McKeever also takes his place  in the kayak whilst and Richard Jefferies races  the shorter distance in the C1. Britain are also represented by 2010 European Champions Liam Heath and Jon Schofield.