 ROWING: TOM JAMES was yesterday confirmed in the stroke seat for Great Britain's eights crew at next month's World Cup in Poland - but the Wrexham rower is already dreaming of Olympic gold. The 20-year-old, who led Great Britain to bronze at the world champion-ship in Milan last year, booked his place for Poznan - along with fellow former King's Chester pupil Simon Cottle - after a superb performance at the GB rowing trials in Belgium. James stormed to third in the pairs race-off with Jonno Devlin that left Olympic and world champions in his wake, while Cottle, who wins the bow seat in the GB quadruple scull, was placed fourth in the singles. Cambridge Blue James, however, already has the Olympics on his mind and is targeting a successful defence of the Blue Riband crown won by the GB crew in Sydney. "I believe we can take it on to Athens and beat double world champions Canada," said James. "We took third last year in Milan after only a few weeks together and we're more powerful and experienced now. "If I think about the Olympics, it's scary, considering I wasn't even in the team 12 months ago. "A year ago I just went to the trials for a bit of fun, and I hadn't imagined going to the 2004 Olympics. "But while going to Athens will be amazing, it's not just about going there. "It's about going there and winning. We can defend the title. I believe that." Last year at the worlds, as the youngest in the GB team, Coedpoeth-based James led the eight home to beat 2002 world silver medallists Germany, just behind Canada and America. "That was a great result in a crew that came together fairly late," James said, speaking before yesterday's team announcements. "But we've moved on. "The eight is going in the right direction and we have more room for improvement than the others who have been together longer. "Getting selected and winning world bronze was unexpected, but this year we've raised our sights. | 
