Son dropped Olympic medal because it wasn’t chocolate

HIS family give Alex Gregory a welcome break from the intensity of rowing and, he says, keep him grounded.

He and his partner Emily Airey have two children, Jasper, six, and Daisy, two, with a third child on the way.

Emily and Jasper saw him win gold in London.

“It was special having them at the Olympics,” he said. “I hadn’t seen Jasper in weeks and after the race he came running up to me — it was my proudest moment.

“I hugged him and gave him my medal and said ‘look what I’ve got for you’. He took it, said ‘that’s not chocolate’ and dropped it on the floor. Then he wanted to throw stones in the lake — it brought me right down to earth!



“Jasper couldn’t give a monkey’s about my rowing but I’m really pleased he has experienced rowing and will have memories of the Olympics. Daisy has been to the world championships but might not remember it.”

Gregory misses his family when he’s abroad training or competing.

“It’s very hard being away from them,” he says. “At the start it was easier because Jasper didn’t know what was going on and we’d always have video chats.

“At the last world championships I came back for one night and while they were happy to see me it was soon time to say goodbye again.

“Jasper asked why I couldn’t get a job in a shop so he could see me all the time. It’s kind of heartbreaking but I’m very lucky to be able to do what I’m doing and I know it won’t last forever.

“It definitely helps having my family and a life away from rowing. It can be exhausting but when I drive away from training my mind is not on work, it’s on my family.”