Rheinisch keeps nerve to sail through

The last time Eoin Rheinisch faced the media at an Olympics he had come within seconds of securing a bronze medal in Beijing.

Much has changed for the Kildare K1 slalom kayaker in the intervening four years as he underwent surgery on his left shoulder and a lengthy rehab before embarking on a tough, tiring qualifying campaign for a third consecutive Games.

But one of the character traits remaining from that heart-breaking day in 2008 at Shunyi is Rheinisch’s infectious enthusiasm for his sport.