AN Olympic slalom canoeist has finally landed in Rio after travel misery – but without his coach or kayak.
Johny Akinyemi, 27, from Padgate, is set to compete in the K1 men's event from August 7 at his second successive games.
But his preparations were dealt a massive blow this week after he was left stranded in Germany, while his rivals got to grips with conditions in Rio.
The former Culcheth High School pupil, who represents Nigeria through his dad's heritage, suffered a delay on the first part of his journey to Brazil from Manchester and on Monday was stuck in Frankfurt after missing a connecting flight to Rio.
The athlete, along with dad and coach John, were on a waiting list and had to wait anxiously to see when they would be able to travel to Rio, with Tuesday's flights fully booked.
Training was due to start on Monday but instead of getting to grips with the water, Akinyemi had instead been forced to manoeuvre in and out of queues in Frankfurt.
However, on Monday evening he confirmed there was hope, following a helping hand from the Warrington Guardian, which reported on the situation six hours earlier.
Update: thanks to all the twitter attention & media coverage I am being flown to Rome then onto Rio fingers crossed to land tomorrow....
— johny akinyemi (@kayakinyemi) July 25, 2016
...but my kayak&Coach (Dad) have to stay in Frankfurt on standby with flights still looking fully booked for days.
— johny akinyemi (@kayakinyemi) July 25, 2016
And today, Wednesday, he delivered some good news.
"I will keep everyone up to date with pics and tweets now I've arrived in rio," he tweeted.
"So the precious Cargo of Dad (coach) & kayak got on a flight to Rio by the grace of God! Thanks for all the help & support evry1."
I will keep everyone up to date with pics and tweets now Ive arrived in rio.
— johny akinyemi (@kayakinyemi) July 27, 2016
So the precious Cargo of Dad (coach)& kayak got on a flight to Rio by the grace of God! Thanks for all the help & support evry1.
— johny akinyemi (@kayakinyemi) July 27, 2016
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