DRYSDALE GIVES HIS HEART AND SOUL
Bronze medallist Mahé Drysdale poured out his heart and soul on Saturday and was in such a state he can't even remember finishing the race.
Struck down with a stomach illness the week before his race, Drysdale produced a titanic effort to get up for the men's single sculls final.
Miraculously holding on for third, Drysdale had to be given emergency first aid on the water after he collapsed and vomited several times.
But the Kiwi hero decided to make it back for the medal ceremony after receiving intravenous fluids from paramedics.
"I pushed myself to the limit and probably beyond. I'm proud and I guess for peace of mind I knew there's nothing more I could have done. That's a great feeling to know that," Drysdale said at a press conference on Sunday.
"I've never been like that before. It was a bit of a battle to get to the medal ceremony but that was something that was high on my agenda and not just for me but also to respect the guys I was racing."
Drysdale started the race slowly, conserving energy after a gruelling semi-final that took a lot out of him. He felt good after 1000 metres and decided to put the hammer down.
He said at that point he was feeling great but as the final quarter came upon him his legs turned to lead and he almost passed out.
Urging his body not to give up, Drysdale somehow held on to take bronze and said he can't remember finishing as he flirted with unconsciousness.
By John Whiting in Beijing for tvnz.co.nz
