100 Team GB contenders for London 2012: Mark Hunter

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Mark Hunter

Rowing (lightweight double sculls)

Born: 01/07/78

Career highlights

He won Olympic gold in Beijing with Zac Purchase, Britain's first-ever lightweight Olympic medal.

The pair successfully defended their world title in 2011.

Other career

After competing in the lightweight men's coxless four in Athens, he then rowed with James Lindsay-Fynn in the lightweight double for a couple of seasons before teaming up with Zac Purchase in 2007.

After winning gold in Beijing, Hunter took a year off rowing and went out to coach at the UCLA in California. He says he will probably retire after the 2012 Games.

Did you know?

He is a qualified Thames waterman, who was born and bred in the East End.

He says: "I like going to schools and telling them my story. It's great when kids hear that because they realise that you don't have to come from a wealthy background. You can come from a normal working-class family and still succeed."

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