Born in Melbourne, Australia, Drysdale began rowing at university at the age of 18. He gave up rowing to concentrate on his studies, but began rowing again

after watching fellow New Zealander Rob Waddell win gold at the 2000 Olympic Games.

• Drysdale began competing at the World Cup level in 2002, rowing in the New Zealand coxless four. After the 2004 Olympic Games, in which his New Zealand crew finished fifth in the final, Drysdale switched to the single scull, winning the 2005 World Championships at Gifu, Japan

Drysdale is a member of the West End Rowing Club in Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand

He was chosen to carry the flag for New Zealand during the parade of nations in the opening ceremony. Unfortunately for Drysdale, a severe gastrointestinal infection in the week before his final saw him off form and he was only able to carry the bronze medal for the men's single scull.

After his race Drysdale was carried into a waiting ambulance, after being carried by life raft after his race, clearly suffering from his illness. He was also seen vomiting. He was, however, able to stand to be awarded his medal.

Bronze medalist Mahe 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.

Cutting through the bone-chilling morning fog shrouding Lake Karapiro, Drysdale is rowing's ultimate terminator, nothing on his mind but winning gold in the heat and haze of the Beijing Olympics in the single sculls.

THE QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK THE QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK MAHE DRYSDALE.MAHE DRYSDALE.

1. How did you start rowing?

2. What did it feel like winning three gold medals in a row?

3. Has there ever been a time when you wanted to give up if so what made you keep going?

4. How old are you?

5. How long have you been rowing?

6. How many times have you been to the OLYMPIC GAMES?