Supporters help Olympian take family to the games

OLYMPIAN Zac Purchase faced the most difficult decision of his career - who to take to watch him at London 2012 Games.

The Tewkesbury rower was only allocated four tickets for each of the races he is battling to compete in this summer.

It left reigning Olympic champion with a decision of having his sister or gran seeing him from the stands.

But thanks to the world of social media, 25-year-old Zac has managed to pick up tickets from across the world – meaning 20 of his friends and family will be able to watch him if it makes it to the finals. The Cheltenham-born rower is yet to confirm his selection to defend his title, but he is expected to make it alongside world and Olympic title-winning lightweight sculls partner Mark Hunter.

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Before securing the extra tickets, Zac was taking his mum Sara Plum, dad Nick and fiancee Felicity Hill, but was still undecided whether his sister Freyja or gran Mary would get the fourth.

After heading onto Twitter, he was pointed in the direction of expert ticket finders, who tracked extra ones down from Germany, Canada and America.

He said: "I had other friends, grandparents and family who I wanted to be there and who have supported me through the years.

"My whole family travelled out to Beijing, so it seemed a bit bizarre that when the Olympics were in London they were not going to make it. I have had so much support from everybody and hopefully, when I cross the finish line, they will be able to experience the emotion and celebrations with me.

"The 20 tickets I have got are for the final on August 4 and I am just really excited. It has hit in the last few months that the Olympics are coming and it is going to be amazing."

Zac, a former coach at Cheltenham College, was keeping quiet about the cost of the tickets, but did say it left a big hole in his pocket.