Last month when the men’s coxless four (M4-) [M = Men, 4 = four, - = coxless]… this blog has started like a maths exam… …when we were selected, BBC Sport came out to our training camp in Italy to interview the team. I was asked to describe the 4 athletes on the spot and this is what they came up with.

To be fair, I think I did quite well with no notice, but with three great athletes around me, it’s not hard to think of nice things to say. When this was released, I tweeted that I didn’t think I was nice enough so here’s a bit extra.

Andrew Triggs Hodge MBE. I can’t really say anything bad about his rowing qualities. It is like someone engineered and built him to row and race. Great bloke. He’s very strong and likeable. He’s a very practical thinker and loves to race. He’s happiest when he’s at race pace in the pack with his hair on fire. Happily married. Loves gardening and repairing things.

Alex Gregory. Alex has everything. Size, strength, focus, determination, flexibility, dexterity, experience and even a cracking personality. He’s very easy-going and good company off the water. He’s a brilliant boat mover and has really earned his way into Jürgen’s top crew after years of plugging away. He’s a happy family man. Loves wildlife and making things.

Tom James MBE. He’s the most handsome man in Wales apparently. He moves a boat really well. He does his fair share, but I think his greatest skill is being able to get the very most out of his crew-mates. He does this by setting up boats with a natural rhythm and level platform, but also by delivering accurate feedback on how the boat is moving and how to respond during training and racing. Boats can either be less than or more than the sum of their parts. Boats with Tom in are always more than the sum of their parts. He is cool, calm and is ready to take the biggest stage in his stride. And he’s a mean electric guitar player.

Pete Reed MBE. What can I write about me? The media favourites are that I’m a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. My lungs have the world’s largest recorded maximum capacity of 11.68 litres (I really should scan in the readout from that test). I can play the piano and I have a growing enthusiasm for photography. I love training. I am very focussed on the goal and am determined enough to follow the road and tackle everything that comes along. I have a happy home life with my girlfriend and her dog.

There. Perhaps not enough BBC air-time to cover that longer summary, but now you know us all a bit better. Well, it’s a start. Please give us a shout when you see us on the water. We’re all proud Brits. (I’ll cover Jürgen another day).