'Like the first time' — Sinkovic brothers eye third Games gold

Martin Sinkovic, the younger half of Croatia's remarkable rowing brothers, has no doubt how they will feel when they take to the water in Paris in search of a third Olympic gold.

"The feeling is the same as the first time," he said.

Since 1999, when Zagreb-born Martin and Valent Sinkovic started training with the Mladost club, they have won dozens of medals as well as European and world titles.

At the 2012 London Olympics, they won the silver medal in the quadruple sculls before hitting a golden thread — first in the double sculls in Rio in 2016 and five years later in the men's pair in Tokyo, the discipline in which they will compete in Paris.

The success, years of dedication and hard training have not dented their passion, they said after a morning session on the Peruca Lake in southern Croatia, where the pair traditionally do their final preparations for major competitions.

"Everything we wanted to achieve we have achieved and after all the medals, I can honestly say the feeling (about the Olympics) is the same as the first time," 34-year-old Martin said.

"The Olympics are special. All the athletes, all the sports together, it's a very special feeling.

"It's never easier and it's never less fun than the first time. I expect a lot of tough races and a lot of fun in Paris," he said.

His brother Valent, 15 months older, echoed that view — stressing they missed being on the water even after a short break.

"After major competitions, the first week is cool, no obligations, but then you don't feel right and we start to train again," Valent laughed.