In the absence of steeplechaser Jo Ankier, 6ft 9in Oxford-based rower Josh West is the only Jew competing for Team GB in Beijing
Originally from Santa Fe, USA, West, 31, started rowing aged 17 as a fresher at Yale. While there, taking geology and international studies, he competed in the Harvard/Yale race.
However, he decided to continue his studies at Cambridge, and went on to take part in four Oxford/Cambridge boat races, being on the winning crew in 1999 and 2001.
He also won the prestigious Ladies Plate at Henley in 1999 and in 2001 sufficiently impressed senior GB selectors to be paired with Rick Dunn for the World Championships, where they finished fifth.
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