HeroeS oF THe PAST
Good crewmates, good coaches too,
especially. Fantastic minds that shaped the
way McKay thought about rowing.
Mike thinks rowing highlighted perseverance,
focus and strategy in his personality: aiming
for quality training, defining a particular
purpose for a training session, working out
what to do and why and how it affects the
outcome - traits he can now apply to other
areas of life.
8
But McKay also describes rowing as a social
world on its own, and a fun one at that:
”The overwhelming process and journey
of being involved in rowing is particularly
enjoyable and great fun,“ says Mike. ”It has
a great international circuit and community.
I don’t know anyone who’s been on a row
who hasn’t enjoyed it and come back with a
big smile on their face. Most people who do
rowing are very pure in their motivation and
very passionate and enthusiastic.“
Is rowing now out of his life? ”It may be
something I return to. Certainly having been
out of the sport for two years, I miss rowing
and contact with athletes. I intend to become
involved in it in some shape or form in the
not too distant future.“ ■ D.F.
contribution from Martin Cross
© Peter Spurrier/Intersport-Images
Mike McKay (centre) wins gold in the Oarsome Foursome at the Barcelona
Olympic Games in 1992 with Andrew Cooper, Nicholas Green, and James
Tomkins (not pictured).
