James Foad

Rio 2016 Olympiad: 2013 – 2016

James and Matt Langridge confirmed themselves as the nearest challengers to the all-conquering New Zealand men’s pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond during 2015, despite an injury-disrupted season.

After missing the GB Rowing Team Senior Trials with a broken foot, James made a strong return to action by winning European Championships gold with Matt in Poznan.

They sat out the World Cup in Varese following an injury niggle but won silver at the next one in Lucerne before finishing runners-up to Murray and Bond at the World Championships in Aiguebelette, qualifying the boat for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the process.

James also started the Olympiad in the men’s pair, finishing seventh at the 2013 World Championships in Chungju with Oliver Cook.

He returned to the eight for the start of the 2014 season, winning bronze at the European Championships and silver at the World Cup in Aiguebelette, before being paired with Matt.

They immediately formed a good partnership, winning an eye-catching silver at the Lucerne World Cup after just two weeks together. They moved on again at the World Championships in Amsterdam, tracking Murray and Bond to pull away from the field and finish three seconds clear of the bronze-medallists from South Africa.

London 2012 Olympiad: 2009 – 2012

When James won his medal at the London 2012 Olympics, it was further justification of his decision to return to full-time rowing.

He gained selection for the GB Rowing Team in 2009, winning a bronze medal with the eight at the first World Cup in Banyoles. He was also eighth in the second men’s four in Munich and finished in the same position in the men’s pair with Moe Sbihi at the World U23 Championships.

James spent the remainder of the London Olympiad in the men’s eight, starting with an impressive 2010 that saw the GB crew win gold and two bronze medals in the World Cup series before securing a fine silver at the World Championships in New Zealand.

They repeated that achievement the following year in Bled, rowing through opposition from Canada and Australia to once again finish runners-up to Germany.

World Cup silver in Belgrade and Lucerne, plus bronze in Munich, saw the GB men’s eight go into the London 2012 Olympics among the medal favourites and they went on to claim bronze behind Germany and Canada.

James first took up rowing aged 11, following in his father’s footsteps, but also tried his hand at archery before focusing fully on his current sport.

Despite his background in insurance, he hopes to pursue a career in physiotherapy after rowing and plans to start his studies after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

James has a one-year-old daughter and loves getting home to spend time with his family. “I completely leave rowing behind me as soon as I leave training.” He also enjoys watching Eight out of Ten Cats Does Countdown and the Lord of the Rings movies.

If James could have been any other sportsperson, it would be Muhammad Ali – “who else?” The boxing legend would also be one of his ideal dinner party guests, along with Robin Williams and Jay-Z.

James hates untidiness – “it’s just being lazy” – and used to play the violin – “very badly, I might add”.

He is Lottery funded though UK Sport.