By Neil Drysdale
His success provided one of the many inspirational moments of the 2012 Olympics.
But Tim Baillie still appreciates how important his early development in the north of Scotland was to his gold-medal-winning exploits in London.
And now, the 39-year-old from Westhill has returned to his roots to unveil a major new initiative by Aberdeen Kayak Club.
The latter organisation has built a new access point in Seaton Park which will be accessible to disabled people. Their members have also reinforced the banks of the River Don, which have been massively eroded over the years.
It is the culmination of four years of fundraising and gaining various planning permissions; and that dedication and commitment has caught the eye of Baillie, who famously struck gold with Etienne Stott in the C2 event.
As he told The Press and Journal: “I remember growing up and becoming interested in canoeing and spending many, many hours of paddling time on the river and I think this new initiative is very exciting.
“The north east of Scotland has a proud tradition in canoeing and rowing – you think about what the likes of Katherine Grainger and David Florence have also achieved on the water.
“But we can’t live in the past and that is one of the reasons why the kayak club is moving things forward.
“I completely support their work and, if it wasn’t for the fact I live in Nottingham and have three young children, I would have tried to support it more, because I know how important it is to provide facilities and expand sport’s appeal.
“The work done by volunteers at the grassroots has a massive impact on youngsters and I realise the huge amount of effort and determination which Aberdeen Kayak Club has shown towards making this scheme happen.
“There would be no success at elite level without so many people putting in the hard yards behind the scenes.
“So I am really relishing the opportunity to be there on the day and if this facility helps future generations to have the same chance as I did to advance to the Olympic stage, that will be a fantastic legacy.”
Baillie still recalls the exhilarating scenes which followed his triumph six years ago; the unveiling of a golden post box and the bus parades in front of rapturous crowds in Glasgow and in Aberdeen.
He received an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours and has continued to display the same relish for life beyond sport, while watching his children, Stewart, Angus and Ailsa, take their first steps in the world.
A former pupil at Westhill Academy, he studied mechanical engineering at Nottingham University and is one of sport’s more cerebral fellows.
Yet he is also a great enthusiast, somebody who genuinely believes in the positive influence of sport without thinking it is a matter of life and death.
He added: “One of the things I like most about what is happening in Aberdeen is how the kayak club want to offer opportunities to everybody.
“I have met with many of the athletes who took part in the Paralympics in 2012 and they have been exceptional characters.
“I remember listening to a speech by David Smith – from Aviemore – who suffered all sorts of health problems and yet won a rowing gold at the 2012 Paralympics – and it left me thinking: ’I won’t moan about having a bad training session again’.
“In fact, I think Britain can be very proud of how it has encouraged athletes, whether they are taking part in the Olympics or the Paralympics, to reach their potential. Other countries could maybe learn a few lessons!”
Baillie’s cream on the grand stage will never be forgotten. But he knows he has to worry about other people than himself.
London is lodged in his memory banks forever. But now, as he travels back to where it all began, his focus is firmly on the future.