CANOE SLALOM: It's only taken three days of training in Rio for Lucien Delfour to 'feel' like an Olympian. 

The 27 year-old, competing in the men's K1 slalom competition, has had some solid training at the Whitewater Stadium in Deodoro, north of Olympic Park layout the reality has hit home. 

"It's really starting to get real," Delfour said after a solid hour of morning practice. 

Delfour is pleasantly surprised with the conditions in Rio, and hopes they continue through to the commencement of competition. 

"The weather is perfect for our sport. It's clear but not too hot and the water is amazing. It's just like a swimming pool," he said. 

While there had been much speculation about the course, the Australian says the locals have produced a very testing circuit. 

"The course is really interesting. It's not the biggest course we race on but it is really technical and there's no doubt whoever wins will really have to earn it." 

Despite being ranked third in the world in 2015 and fifth at the 2014 world championships he is not yet daring to dream that may be him on the victory dais. However, he has already thought long and hard about the best ways to attack the course. 

"My race plan will be pretty simple - you have to go on the attack up the top and then make the boat glide through the middle stages. The bottom can be really messy and you just have to manage it the best way you can," Delfour said. 

Delfour is one of three Australian representatives in Canoe Slalom in Rio, joining Ian Borrows (C1) and London silver medallist Jessica Fox (Womens K1). 

The Canoe Slalom section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team will join a number of fellow Australian athletes in checking into the Olympic Village on Wednesday. 

Damian Kelly
olympics.com.au