Canada's Van Koeverden hopes to channel paddler superpower at fourth Olympics

RIO DE JANEIRO - Adam van KOEVERDEN (CAN) is one of the most experienced sprint paddlers to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

VAN KOEVERDEN has four medals to his name from three Olympic Games - a silver and a bronze in the K1 1000m, his event for Rio, and a gold and silver in the K1 500m.

But he is coming to Rio ranked ninth in the world and has modest expectations for the days to come.

"I'm being realistic about this, my goal on Monday is to make the final, that's all I can do. They don't decide in advance who's going to win," he said.

At 34, VAN KOEVERDEN looks back fondly on his career and his achievements. He credits his success to what he describes as a "little superpower" of once being able to push himself beyond most people's limits.

"I used to do workouts that I'm afraid of now," he said. "I still train as hard as I can but not as hard as I used to. I need a recovery session for every two hard sessions, I used to do a recovery session for every nine sessions."

He is now watching the likes of swimmer Penny OLEKSIAK (CAN) with awe, describing the 16-year-old as "incredible".

"There's no words to describe that. I've never seen any athlete like her in the world - she's a complete specimen," he said.

He has watched OLEKSIAK win her four Olympic medals on television, which he thinks is the best way to experience the Games.

"I think it's more enjoyable if you want to take in everything to watch it on TV. Everyone knows it's a TV show," he said.

VAN KOEVERDEN has not yet decided if he will continue paddling internationally for another four years, but his immediate post-Rio plans involve racing at the Canadian national championships.

"I plan to go and race for my club, have a good time and sign some autographs," he said.