The BBC reports that following his impressive display in the Boat Race on Saturday, the Oxford Rowing coach speculates that Constantine Louloudis (ex KS) may find himself in the frame for selection to the British Olympic squad.
‘Teenage rower Constantine Louloudis could take the fast track from Boat Race victory to a London 2012 Olympic place, Oxford coach Sean Bowden said.
Nineteen-year-old Louloudis, known as Stan, played a key part for Oxford as they powered to victory over Cambridge.
His next target is the Great Britain selection trials at 2012 venue Dorney Lake in three weeks’ time.
"I think it’s all there for Stan. I don’t see what’s going to stand in his way of going a long way," said Bowden.
Londoner Louloudis put in an impressive display in the last set of GB trials as he and Oxford crew-mate Karl Hudspith finished seventh overall, beating former Olympic champion Greg Searle and Tom Broadway from last year’s world silver medal-winning eight.
The good guys in the team are at an extremely high standard but Stan’s got the credentials and he can get there
That was enough to convince Bowden that Louloudis has what it takes to appear at the highest level – the Olympic Games – four years earlier than expected.
"I don’t see why not. I know the numbers. I know what he did in a scratch pair at the last set of trials and that’s just after one afternoon of training," Bowden continued.
"It’s a big challenge. The good guys in the team are at an extremely high standard but Stan’s got the credentials and he can get there."
Louloudis, who has Greek ancestry, has been compared to four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent, who followed a similar route from Eton College to Oxford University before his Olympic success.
Pinsent, who has watched Louloudis take part in fitness testing, said: "In order to win a seat in the Olympic team he would have to convincingly beat athletes in their mid-20s, who have been practising for five years at a level he is just beginning to.
"If the Games were in 2014, he would probably be there. For London 2012, he’s a possible." ‘
