Michael Blackburn’s Olympic journey began in 1993 when it was announced that his home city of Sydney would host the 2000 Games. At the time he thought that selection as the Australian Laser sailor for the intervening Atlanta Games in 1996 would be too much too soon, but that Sydney would be a more realistic target. As it happened, however, he not only qualified for Atlanta but he finished in fourth place, just two points outside the medals. For the next four years he was involved in full time training, frequently sparring against Robert Scheidt and Ben Ainslie who had taken the top two medals in Atlanta. “It was a fantastic experience,” Blackburn said, “and I think the competition between me and them(with them mostly beating me) taught me a
