Break for Bell before Olympics
25 September 2007 By Verena Stocker
Robin Bell is packing his bags for a well deserved holiday in Peru after winning bronze at the Canoe Slalom World Championships and qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in Brazil on Saturday.
Bell will go to Beijing as a triple-Olympian having competed at both Sydney and Athens, where he placed ninth and fourth respectively. The bronze medal caps off a fantastic international season that has seen him win two medals from four appearances.
Bell is looking to improve on his previous Olympic efforts after a successful four-year cycle. One of his highlights came in 2005 Bell won Australia's first Canoe Slalom World Championship.
Facing strong winds and heavy rain, Bell was the third last to go off after qualifying in third position. Having completed the first run in 96.74s, Bell proved consistent in finishing his second run in 96.96s, giving him an overall run time of 195.
Michal Martikan from Slovakia won the event, with Frenchman Tony Estanguet placing second. Matthew Gabb was the next best placed Australian, finishing in 24th place.
Bell is a Sydney University Scholarship holder and is studying Economics/Finance.