Brabants, who took a year off from competitive kayaking in 2005 to complete his medical studies at the highly regard University of Nottingham followed by a spell as a doctor in Jersey, is currently preparing for the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Szeged, Hungary.

The British kayaker took silver in K1 1000 metre discipline at the World Championships last year in Poznań after achieving gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and said that he was hoping to put his injury problems from earlier this year behind him to repeat the feat in August.

"This year has been quite tough in terms of the injury I've had and illness but I'm back on form now and really looking forward to the World Champs in Hungary," he said.

"It's an amazing place to compete, there is always a really good atmosphere with huge numbers of supporters there and I'm confident I can come away with a medal."

The 34-year-old, speaking at the official announcement of a deal between EDF and BMW to extend the latter's range of electric vehicles with 35 London 2012 branded Minis from the energy company, is an athlete ambassador for EDF and part of the BMW London 2012 performance team, and believes the sustainability agenda is crucial to the Games' success.

"[Sustainability] is really important," Brabants said.

"More and more electric vehicles are being used and EDF's special rate for electricity and charging points will make it far more accessible for people who want to drive electric vehicles.

"I think you'll see more growth in this throughout the UK particularly."

Looking forward to 2012, Brabants, who retired after the 2008 Olympics to continue a career as a doctor, put his medical career on hold to prepare for next year's Games and add to his medal haul, which also includes bronze medals in Beijing and Sydney 2000.


He also talked up Team GB's chances, as well as showing confidence in his own medal hopes next year.

"It's my fourth Olympics so I'm not going just to get a t-shirt," he said.

"I want to compete to the best of my ability and hopefully come back with another gold as there's no point doing it otherwise in my mind.

"I think we can build on the success of the last Olympics.

"Last night Keri-Anne Payne won gold [becoming the first Briton to qualify for the Olympic Games] and British athletes are putting down great results left, right and centre at the moment.

"Preparations are going very well.

"The great thing is being involved with the ambassadors and sponsors as it keeps it in your mind that it's only a year away and helps you focus on what you are trying to do.

"You can't fail to see something about the Olympics every day and it makes it really exciting.

"It's a unique experience compared to other Games where you don't see it in the build-up, whereas in London it is there every day."

Brabants insisted though that he missed his medical work, and confirmed that he would be returning to the field at the conclusion of the Games.

"I very much miss my doctoring work, using my brain in that way," he said.

"That's on hold for the minute and there's plenty of time to get back into it.

"After the Olympics I'll be getting straight back into it and a normal lifestyle."

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