Nick Dempsey confirms Rio 2016 Olympic attendance

Weymouth windsurfer Nick Dempsey has confirmed he intends to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Windsurfing was re-instated recently for Rio after the International Sailing Federation reversed a decision to replace it with kiteboarding.

And 32-year-old Dempsey - who won silver at the 2012 Games - has decided to try to go one better in Brazil.

"After a lot of really good discussions this week I made the decision to go for it," said Dempsey.

The windsurfer will be 35 years old by the time of the next Olympics and said he took his time over the decision to compete in view of the commitment involved.

"The reality is being an Olympic windsurfer is bloody hard work, and it is a huge commitment," he added.

"When it comes to age, I just look at athletes across all sports to know that there is nothing wrong with the body at 35.

"Ben Ainslie was 35 when he won his fourth Olympic sailing gold medal this summer.

The Greek windsurfer Nikos Kaklamanakis was 36 when he won silver at Athens 2004 and look at the Ethiopian long distance runner, Haile Gebrselassie.

"What I do know is at 35, and having done four previous Olympics, you've got a bloody wise head on your shoulders and you are very experienced. You know how to do it."

Dempsey also added that the venue played a huge part in his decision.

"I also spent a lot of time training in Brazil before the London Games," he continued.

"I love Brazil, I know the waters and the fact it is a light wind venue means certain parts of your training can be a lot more controllable than they were for Weymouth.

"In Weymouth you had to be prepared for anything and everything, Rio will be more like Beijing in a lot of ways."