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Sir Ben Ainslie relieved not to be competing at Rio 2016 Olympics

Sir Ben Ainslie admits that he is relieved not to be competing for a fifth Olympic gold medal next year in Rio.

Sir Ben Ainslie has admitted that he is relieved not to be competing at the Rio Olympics next year as he prepares to guide a team to America's Cup glory in 2017.

The 38-year-old, who won his fourth Olympic gold medal at his final Games in London three years ago, has revealed that he struggled with weight gain while competing.

"Thank God I don't have to go through that again," the Daily Mail quotes Ainslie as saying. "It was hard putting on all that weight. I am steering, so I am like the jockey, keeping my weight down so we can get the big guys in.

"My weight has gone down by two stone. I do aerobic work mostly, not lifting big weights. I am healthy in a way I couldn't be if I was doing the Olympics again. Perhaps if I was sitting at home doing nothing I would be thinking about missing Rio but I'm totally consumed by this."

Giles Scott is the favourite to win a medal for Great Britain in Brazil next year.

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Stephen Park of Great Britain talks to the media during a Team GB press conference at the Weymouth & Portland Venue ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 25, 2012
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