One year ago, Britain's once again performed excellently in Rio. Three golds and two silvers was slightly down on London 2012, but was by no means sniffed at.
One of those gold medallists for Team GB was Alex Gregory, who took gold in the men's sculls twice in 2012 and 2016.
However, the Olympics are only once every four years, and away from the traditional world championships, what else do they get up to in their spare time?
The answer: row from Norway to Iceland.
Gregory, far left. Credit: PA
They are currently stuck on the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen, one month after setting off.
Being on dry land, though, has given Gregory a chance to share a photo of his hands.
He wrote: My hands after spending so long in wet gloves. The blisters were never bad on his Polar row, but now wet and damp seeped into the skin."
In the first nine days, they had completed an incredible 965km, breaking eight world records in the process; but after five days of no visible sun, their solar-powered batteries had drained.
It meant their electronic devices no longer worked, and they have since manually rowed towards the island, which is 600km away from Icelandic mainland.
They now share this remote island with members of the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
Credit: Polar Row
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On a post, dated August 18, Gregory wrote: "I've never been so wet and cold. It's seeping into my bones, there is absolutely no escape from it. Two degrees, 99 percent humidity [so] nothing will dry. I have to wait for land. It's getting worse though, the colder I get, the more I have to work during my shift, the sweatier I get, the wetter I get, the colder I get."
Now on dry land, the photo of his hands, has shocked many.
It's not a 'waiting game' for Gregory and his fellow rowers. In an update posted four days ago, Gregory added that he had missed his daughter's fourth birthday and promised to be home soon.
Records Broken
- 1)First tor row the open waters Arctic Ocean from south to north.
- 2)Fastest row in the Arctic.
- 3)Northernmost latitude reached by a rowing vessel.
- 4)First to row the open waters Arctic Ocean both directions.
- 5)Largest team to row in the Arctic.
He also explained their best hope of getting off the island. He wrote: "Our skipper, Fiann, is still trying to bring replacement rowers onto the island to replace those of us who do not wish to continue for whatever reason.
"As I mentioned, it's tough to get people here. We support him in his decisions and project. We are all part of the Polar Row together.
"There is news that a boat may be coming past next week that may have space on board for us. Hopefully they will be willing to allow us to jump aboard and begin the journey home."
They were due to complete their journey, arriving in Saudarkrokur, Iceland on September 1.
The aim of the project is to raise enough money to help to build a school in the Himalayas.
Featured Image Credit: TwitterTopics: Norway
