The Refugee

He came to live with us early this year, after living rough and homeless on the banks of the Hutt river. Despite the challenges of going it alone, he swore never to return to his past life, never to fulfill the destiny that others had thrust upon him. He's a lover not a fighter, or at least not a swimmer. He has no need to be the first or the best he can be in the sporting world. He's happy to watch the world go by from a stationary position. He's content with his lot, though the expectations of his past life lead him to have an awkward, almost embarrassed look - unable to quite meet your eye.

But now he must be particularly vigilant in keeping the lowest possible profile. Will they notice his absence when they call the start of the race? Will they come to find him?

Or will that person searching the leading ducks for their lucky number 182 be sadly out contention well before the race ever starts?