Something totally unforeseen will have to happen to prevent him from representing South Africa at the World Championships, from August 30 to September 6, in Aiguebelette, France.
“It is amazing to be back and I am really looking forward to the challenge of being involved in trying to help qualify an extra boat for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio. I know it will be tough but I am ready for it,” Brittain said.
In spite of suffering from Hodgkin’s disease, also known as cancer of the lymph node, he still managed to finish fifth with David Hunt and Willie Morgan in the Coxed Pair final at last year’s World Championships in Amsterdam.
Brittain was also in action with Hunt last year in the semi-final of the Henley Regatta without him realising that he was actually seriously ill.
Brittain (Tuks/hpc) ascribes his ‘comeback’ to the fact that he did not succumb to the temptation of doing too much too soon.
“Obviously I could not wait to start participating in competitive rowing again, but I had to be realistic. It was important that I took it one day at a time. At first my only goal was to regain my strength and fitness. My patience paid off because I could feel during the past few weeks that I was getting stronger with each training session.”
