OLYMPIC hero Tom James is battling with a heart condition as he bids to win another gold medal at London 2012.
But the 27-year-old Wrexham rower’s dream of winning gold at the Olympics this summer is still alive.
Tom, who comes from Coedpoeth, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) after his heartbeat raced up to 220 beats per minute – the same condition suffered by former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
He missed the British’s team training camp in South Africa last month after falling ill in December casting doubt on his hopes of defending the coxless fours gold he won at Beijing 2008.
Tom said: “I could physically feel my heart beating very fast and the heartbeat was irregular.
“It was very worrying because you don’t expect to have problems with your heart when you are 27.”
Initially the problem was linked to a virus but when the symptoms continued Tom was referred to a cardiac specialist.
He said: “At first there was a lot of confusion about what it could be and I went to see a consultant.
“They diagnosed me with AF and gave me medication to bring my heartbeat back to normal.
“Luckily it was picked up fairly quickly and it is not going to stop me training or competing.”
Atrial fibrillation – which is an irregular heart beat – can increase the risk of stroke but can be treated with medication.
Tom, a former pupil at the King’s School in Chester, returned to full training last week.
He said: “I take my heartbeat every morning and keep a close eye on it.
“It is quite a rare condition but it is not uncommon in endurance athletes and there have been other rowers with AF.
“If the problem comes back then I’ll be given another course of medication to control it.”
At the start of last year Tom was sidelined for six months after undergoing a hip operation in a bid to resolve a back injury.
However, he returned to the water in the summer and won gold at the World Rowing Championships in Slovenia.
He said: “After the World Cup I had to take a bit of time out but it’s all fine now.
“The games in London is something that is going to be very special.
“We always say that you just have to treat it as another race, but the Olympics isn’t just another race.”