GREG SEARLE has rolled back the years to complete the first step of a remarkable Olympic comeback by winning a place in the Great Britain rowing squad.

Searle, who won gold with brother Jonny and cox Garry Herbert at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and a bronze in Atlanta four years later, had been in retirement for a decade.

But the 38-year-old could not shake the desire to compete in a home Olympics and he returned to training last year, initially on his own, in a bid to force his way back into national colours.

British head coach Jurgen Grobbler is not a man for sentiment but Searle proved his worth by coming through three rounds of national trials.

Searle will race in the men’s eight at the first World Cup regatta in Bled, Slovenia, later this month - where he will be the oldest rower in the boat by 12 years.

“I was in the gym this morning in an old vest which dates back to the late 1980s,” laughed Searle.

“The new GB kit feels fantastic. To get in the team was tough. It is a privilege to be part of the team again after a decade away from here.

“Now my goals have moved up for the year. I started off saying I wanted to get into the team for 2010.

“Now I see the standard of the boat and the quality of the people in it, I think we should be shooting to be a medal boat this year - to win a medal at every World Cup and then the World Championships.

“We will have to see what the real standard of the competition is but hopefully with the strength of the eight that last year finished fifth we should be getting medals for sure.”