'GB rowing legacy won't distract us' - Aldridge

Dorset-born Matt Aldridge will be competing in his first Olympic Games

Matt Aldridge said he and his team-mates will not be distracted by the legacy of Team GB as they look to add to the country's 70 Olympic rowing medals.

The 28-year-old was announced as part of the 42-person squad, half of whom will make their Olympic debuts in Paris.

Speaking from a high altitude training camp in Austria, Aldridge said he was relieved to "finally get confirmation" that he was going to the Games.

He will race in the men's four alongside Oli Wilkes, David Ambler and Freddie Davidson.

Dealing with expectations

The Dorset-born athlete told BBC Radio Solent to be selected was a "dream come true".

"To think I'm in a position where I'm about to go to the Olympics as a favourite to win the gold medal is incredible," he said.

"And it's really nice to finally get that confirmation [of his inclusion]."

Rowing is the only sport in which Great Britain won a gold medal at every Games from Los Angeles in 1984 to Rio in 2016.

On adding to that haul, Aldridge said: "We're not looking at the legacy of other people.

"There's been lots of famous names who have come before us, but all four of us are brand new to the Olympics.

"We're just going to go and make the most of it, and if that's good enough then fantastic, but we're not going to put too much pressure on legacy or the expectations of other people.

"We weren't in those boats; they were other people. Our pressure is just whether we can go out and perform."

'Won't get complacent'

However, Team GB failed to win a gold medal in Tokyo, with the men's four finishing in fourth.

"Everyone who came back from Tokyo has been really upbeat and trying to progress," Aldridge said.

"We've joined in with that attitude and know we can't get complacent or think they're going to give us a medal because we row for Great Britain.

"Nobody's going to give you anything for free, especially in an Olympics year."