WEYMOUTH’S Olympic windsurfer Nick Dempsey has quashed rumours that he will be teaming up with his wife to campaign for the 2016 Rio Games.

The Athens bronze medallist revealed that his double Olympic gold medallist wife Sarah Ayton was ‘keen to sail again’ and make a comeback from retirement.

But he dismissed the idea they would team up in the new mixed catamaran class as windsurfing has been axed from the next Games.

He declared that he was not retiring after the London 2012 Games, however he said if Ayton, who quit Olympic Sailing in February 2011 to focus on motherhood, wished to make a comeback he would do all he could to support her.

He said: “I'm not keen to sail with my wife as that would end in tears. I’m really keen she stays my lovely housewife but it will be her decision at the end of the day.

“If she decides to sail I'll really support that.”

Both Dempsey, 31, and Beijing bronze medallist Bryony Shaw told yesterday's press conference they were devastated that London 2012 could be their last Olympic windsurfing event, following the International Sailing Federation’s shock decision in May.

Shaw said: “As windsurfers it’s devastating it’s no longer going to be at the Games.

“It has put a bit of a downer on this Games, the timing of the decision is unfortunate.

“For me I've tried to spin it into a positive and heighten my focus for the Games.

“Yes it’s a loss of a great sport but I’m sure we'll showcase how great it can all look and the fans can appreciate something special.”

Shaw, 29, said that unlike her infamous bronze medal winning speech in Beijing she would not be swearing if she wins on home waters in Weymouth and Portland .

She said: “I'm an emotional person, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I won't swear but I'm sure it will be emotional whatever the result.”

Shaw said: “ I competed here in Weymouth when I was 16 years old, in a national championships.

“I remember travelling here with my mum in a campervan and parking at Castle Cove.

“I beat all the boys in my age group, it was a great feeling.”

Dempsey said: “Weymouth is in my racing blood, it’s where I won my first windsurfing trophy and hopefully it will be where I win my last next week.”

  • The three-hour opening ceremony spectacular by Hollywood director Danny Boyle called ‘Isles of Wonder’ will cost £27 million and feature farm animals and a celebration of everything British.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor Sandy West was invited to London see the dress rehearsal. All the final plans are shrouded in mystery with Mr Boyle urging people to ‘keep the secret’ until the opening ceremony- But Mrs West said that people would be ‘blown away.’ She said: “It was absolutely amazing - it’s going to blow the other countries out of the water.”

She added: “It will top the 2008 Beijing celebrations.”

Mrs West said that she couldn’t give much away but said there would be a light show and service men from across the armed forces will raise Union Jack and Olympic flags.

She said: “There are thousands of people on the stage- you will be gobsmacked.”

Mrs West, who is a Weymouth and Portland Ambassador for the Games, said: “I’m proud to be British and proud to be part of this- this is history.”