"It is always difficult to predict especially in sport," Rolland (pictured above), who claimed gold in the coxless pairs in Sydney, told insidethegames.

Britain will come into this summer's Games as the favourites for victory at Eton Dorney after a superb World Championships last year on Lake Bled in Slovenia, where they came top of the medal standings.


"You cannot really predict but I can say that for sure the British team is absolutely amazing in terms of potential," Rolland said.

"They had a fantastic World Championship last year and I am sure that this year it will be absolutely difficult for any countries to beat the British.

"That said before you cross the line it is never finished so a lot of things may happen.

"Every athlete knows that they have to work a lot before the finals and in the final, everything is open.

"For sure the British team is really strong, the Australian, New Zealand are always good teams as well, so it will be really good to see and who knows?"

Rolland is currently working for French energy giant EDF, whose British subsidiary is the sustainability partner of London 2012, and is supporting its Games campaigns.

Asked about the French team's hopes, Rolland was dismissive and said: "I do not like this question – last year the French team were really awful."

The 44-year-old also won a bronze medal at the Games in Atlanta in 1996, but does not believe France can match their performance in 2000, when the lightweight coxless four also won gold.


They were poor at the World Championships in 2011, winning just one bronze medal through Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Cédric Berrest and Julien Bahain (pictured above) in the double scull event.

In Beijing, France won two bronze medals, and Rolland said that a similar performance this year would make him "happy".

"Only three boats are qualified so far which is really poor compared to the 13 boats qualified by the British team," he said.

"I must say that if the French team can get two medals [that] would be fine.

"It seems that the winter training has been great and it is better than it could have been but if we have two medals I will be happy."

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