Paul O’Donovan: 'I'm rowing because I enjoy it, not to get a big collection of medals'

Paul O’Donovan is the possessor of nine major championship medals. Six of his senior haul to date are golds

Team Ireland Men's Lightweight Double Sculls rowers Fintan McCarthy, left, and Paul O'Donovan training at the Sea Forest Waterway ahead of the start of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Paul O’Donovan is the possessor of nine major championship medals. The last time he stood on the third step of any podium at the very highest level was probably at the U23 Worlds eight years ago.

Six of his senior haul to date are golds, the only real honour still eluding him as he braces for his second Games here in Japan is that of Olympic champion and he is a decent bet to set that to rights next Thursday in the final of the men’s lightweight double at the Sea Forest Waterway.