Olympic dream is born again for young Greek rower

(BEIJING, June 20) -- After finishing fourth in the Men's Single Sculls at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Poland on June 18 -- just .18 seconds out of Olympic qualification -- 23-year-old Ioannis Christou from Greece knew his dream of competing in Beijing had come to an end. A day later, that dream had been given new life.

Christou has been chosen to fill an Olympic spot that has become available because of a decision by the Chinese Rowing Federation to allow Zhang Liang to compete in both the Men's Single and Men's Double competition. Zhang qualified for the Single at the Asian Qualification Regatta and the Double at the Qualification Regatta in Poland. His decision to participate in both races opens up a spot for one more rower.

This will be the first Olympic Games for Christou, who started training in the Men's Single just two weeks before the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta. He normally races in the Men's Double but his partner Ioannis Tsamis tested positive for a masking agent and the pair was forced to withdraw its Olympic bid.