Sculler Tim Brys and lightweight double sculls Tibo Vyvey-Niels Van Zandweghe have obtained their ticket to the Olympics. They finished in good order during their continental regatta final.
Tim Brys took third place in the single scull. The 31-year-old from Ghent covered the 2,000 m in 7:39.37, finishing six seconds behind Serbian Pimenov and four seconds behind Bulgarian Vasilev, with whom he fought for second place for a long time.
“After Tokyo, I only had three years to go from light weight to heavyweight. It wasn't long. I had to adapt, eat a lot and, above all, go to the gym often. Here, with against the wind and against these opponents, to qualify is incredible.”
Coached by Dirk Crois, silver medalist in the lightweight double sculls in 1984, in Los Angeles, Brys will participate in the Olympics for the second time, after Tokyo, where he placed fifth in the lightweight double sculls with Niels Van Zandweghe.
A few minutes after Brys, Van Zandweghe imitated his ex-teammate. With Vyvey, he took second place in the lightweight double sculls, in 7:05.54, three seconds behind Ukrainians Khmara-Kovalov after another crazy race.
In Paris, Van Zandweghe, 28, will also compete in his second Olympics, after Tokyo, while his teammate Vyvey, 23, will have his first Olympic experience.
