WATCH: Emma Twigg: A story of resilience

What went through your head after your second fourth placing at an Olympic Games?

When I crossed the line in Rio I was like, na that’s it I’m done. I thought to myself I won’t touch an oar again and so I didn’t touch an oar for a year and a half.

I remember thinking I needed to go wave to my family in the stands who’ve been there from day dot – that was really tough to suck it up and rough past them while knowing that they’d be extremely disappointed as well.

Why have you come back to the sport?

Once I got some perspective and thought actually it’s not all about the trophies, being an athlete is pretty special and there’s lots of privilege that comes with that, I realised I still wanted to be involved.

I haven’t achieved what I’ve wanted to at a Games in that I’ve fallen short on getting a medal at both London and Rio but winning a medal won’t define me in the future. My return to the sport is more about contributing to the people around me and inspiring people and enjoying the journey and that is what is defining me. And at the end of the day if I’m doing that and I’m enjoying what I’m doing then I should fulfil the potential I know I have as well.

What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?

It gives me a huge sense of pride that I can represent the fern and that the country and four million people are on my team. That’s the power of sport and New Zealand sport and the Olympics which is pretty special.