Waddell's Dad gets his medal for Olympic effort

Jim Waddell deserved a medal for the battle he endured to see his son compete at the Olympic Games - and he briefly got his wish today when champion Rob slipped the gold around Dad's neck during an emotional reunion at the Penrith Lakes regatta centre.

Jim Waddell suffered serious complications after a double knee replacement operation in May but was determined to watch Rob push for the Olympic gold after watching his boy's two world championship triumphs.

``This is the one,'' he said, as the family were enveloped by wellwishers.

He couldn't describe the feeling of wearing Rob's medal for a ``little while'' preferring to switch the focus to his son's achievements.

``It's a wonderful thing for New Zealand, a kid from the country, a little place like Pio Pio, and look what's he done.''

Waddell senior was just glad to witness another moment of triumph for the Waikato sportsman.

Blood clots slowed his recovery from the knee operation but the surgeon fulfilled his pledge ``to get me there.''

His parents won't have much time to savour the moment - Jim and wife Sue are returning home on Monday.

``He's been critically ill and he can't get to some of the venues. We're not hanging around,'' Sue said.

``We focused on this and it worked out well.''

Sue Waddell said she hadn't thought Rob was a certainty to win the gold medal.

``So much could happen, a gear failure or something ....''

The family took a deliberately low-key approach, a lesson learned after Rob's older brother David was part of the New Zealand eight which failed to qualify for the Atlanta Games.

``We thought they were definitely going to go there but it didn't happen so this time we took nothing for granted,'' she said.

- NZPA