Champion Rower Thomas Falls Ill, to be Replaced by Beaumont at Rio Games
App betting enthusiasts who plan to wager on British rowing in the Olympics will need to keep this latest news in mind. In an incredibly unfortunate turn of events, Team GB’s champion rower Graeme Thomas has come down with an illness and will not be able to compete in the Games.
Thomas has medaled twice in the World Championships and was slated to make an impact Rio, but upon arriving at the facilities in Rio he was stricken with a flu-like sickness that took hold in his system before flying to Brazil. Based on advice from medical professionals, Thomas had withdrawn from his particular event in rowing, which is the men’s quadruple scull.
His replacement will be Jack Beaumont, who flew out to Rio on short notice in order to prepare for the major task at hand. Beaumont’s father, Peter, was an athlete who competed in rowing and raced during the 1988 Olympic Games which took place in South Korea. Beaumont is a former medalist who won previously in the under-23 category.
The last-minute replacement rower is definitely one of the best substitutions that app betting players and British fans could hope for. Beaumont was part of the team in May that won a silver medal at Lucerne in the men’s quadruple scull, and he has the proven skills needed to fill some demanding shoes out on the water.
Thomas has been a major fixture in the quad team over the past three years, part of a group that has itself win international medals nine times. Because of his past success, the frustration and disappointment expressed by Thomas was clear. He prefaced his statement with the point that his response was something no athlete ever wants to write about a competition.
Thomas says that after seven years of intense training, “it’s all over before getting to take a stroke in anger. He adds that he does not agree with the decision that was made, but that virtually every athlete would share the same mindset because they stand behind their own resolve.
Since he immediately became sick upon his arrival for preparations, Thomas did not even have a chance to train with the rest of his group on the Lagoa in Rio. Regardless, he has taken the tragic news in stride and plans on training hard to be a part of the next Olympic Games from Tokyo in 2020.
The rowing team leader for Team GB, Sir David Tanner, offers additional hope to British fans and app betting players who have counted on Thomas’ presence in the event. He states that Beaumont is a quality, proven substitute who comes in with vast experience and medals to back it up. Though, Tanner adds that the team has taken the decision “with heavy heart because Graeme (Thomas) has worked so hard to be here and is such a strong part of the crew.”
