I am fortunate to have reported on nine Olympic regattas for British newspapers and rowing magazines and was disappointed when I didn’t make the cut for Tokyo. But I’m disappointed no longer. Tokyo will be a huge let-down, especially for athletes who have trained for four years, and especially those who must switch to another life when it is all over. COVID-imposed restrictions will drain the Games of any interest beyond, in rowing’s case, what happens on the water. No grand opening parade, no partying or mingling with other sports and athletes in the village or the bright lights of Tokyo, no culture tourism or rowdy closing ceremony. Just cross the world to eat, sleep and row, pull hard, keep to your quarters, test, test and test again, and bugger off as soon as you have crossed the final finish line.