Rio Confidential: Magnussen chases TV time, Johnson v Bolt, parents prepare to ink up

JAMES Magnussen has promised he’s still got “fire in the belly” for more Olympic glory, but in the meantime he’s eyeing a career on TV, with hit show The Block in his sights.

James Magnussen says he is considering a career in TV after swimming

We know James Magnussen is a star in the pool, but could he be set to make waves on TV show The Block?

THE MISSILE EYES TV TIME

JAMES Magnussen has promised he’s still got “fire in the belly” for more Olympic glory, but in the meantime he’s eyeing a career on TV.

The swimmer is a passionate property developer and has told friends he’d love to appear on a lifestyle reality show such as The Block.

But first, Magnussen knows he needs to get match fit.

James Magnussen says he is considering a career in TV after swimming

“I asked him what he’s going to do when we get back to Australia, and he said: ‘You know what, I am going to try to book into film and television school to improve my presenting and acting skills,” reports swim team spokesman Ian Hanson.

Magnussen has made a tidy profit on a couple of inner west apartments in Sydney, which he worked on with a builder mate.

The 24-year-old took home a bronze from Rio in the 4x100m freestyle but promised his supporters he wasn’t ready to retire.

“There were times when swimming at a 2nd Olympics looked unlikely if not impossible,” he posted on Instagram.

“It took an amazing team of people around me to get me to the starting blocks and a great bunch of blokes to get us on that podium. Thanks to everyone for your support and kind words in the lead up and aftermath. I promise I will be back bigger and better in the future.

There is still fire in the belly!”

BELIEF IN THE MOTTO

WHAT do the Aussie athletes do when their Olympic events are over? Go and watch some other Olympic events of course.

Yes neighbours! Well done girls! @WaterpoloAus pic.twitter.com/ThKL5SIVSx

— Daria Gavrilova (@Daria_gav) August 9, 2016

The motto for the Rio Olympics has been teamwork and the athletes are taking it seriously.

Unlike London when non-competing athletes didn’t spend much time at the events, this time around the contingent is all about supporting each other.

Australian women's sevens gold medallists support the men’s team in Rio

Daria Gavrilova went to the water polo yesterday to watch the Aussie girls and the gold medal winning women’s rugby 7s team didn’t spend the day soaking up their victory — many of them returned to the scene of their triumph to support the men’s team who opened their Rio campaign yesterday.

JOHNSON V BOLT

MICHAEL Johnson still has it - just ask him.

The track legend and four time Olympic gold medallist was asked yesterday if he thinks Usain Bolt - the fastest man ever timed - is a better athlete than him.

“Absolutely not,” Johnson declared.

“He comes close. He’ll tell you that.”

Rio Day 4: Aussies at the 2016 Olympics

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He sarcastically quipped that he thought Bolt was “terrible - worst athlete I’ve seen in my life”, before going on to praise the track legend. “Nah, he’s fantastic no doubt about it.”

Johnson’s 400m win at the Sydney Olympics was one of the highlights of the Games.

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY

THE parents of Australia’s golden rugby 7s girls made a promise they didn’t think they’d need to deliver on — getting inked together.

The ever supportive parents promised that they’d get tattoos if the team won gold. As of last night, there was some hesitation.

The team celebrated with a bar tab put on by rugby boss Bill Pulver, before players Alicia Quirk and Charlotte Caslick showed up with two hours sleep for a morning press conference, all decked out in their Olympic gold.

The parents of rugby sevens star Alicia Quirk promised to get a tattoo if the team won gold

“We’re really big on family,” player Amanda Quirk said.

“We had a family day in Sydney and all the parents were celebrating. They all promised to get tattoos if their daughters won gold.

“At the time they were just stoked we were in the Olympics…they didn’t think it would actually happen.”

Quirk said she thought some might settle on “some dots”.

“Definitely back home, not in Brazil,” she said.

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Originally published as Rio Confidential: Magnussen chases TV time, Johnson v Bolt, parents prepare to ink up