Cracknell: 'Accident changed personality'

James Cracknell has revealed that his recent accident has altered his personality and affected his memory.

The Olympic medallist said that he was "lucky to be alive" after a petrol tanker hit his bike in Arizona in July, causing bruising to the brain.

He told The Daily Telegraph: "When the truck's wing mirror hit me on the back of the head some of the impact was absorbed by my helmet. Although I was very disorientated and agitated for some time, just knowing I'd been hit by a truck made me feel lucky to be alive."

He went on to describe the effects that the accident has had on his life, and recalled a conversation with a neurologist that "revealed some harsh truths".

"I have 'islands of memory' but no consistency, so there are no guarantees," he explained. "I can't drive and will have to be reassessed.

"I can't drink for between six months and a year as the neurons in my brain rejoin. I will never be able to work at the same pace as before or be able to grasp complex theories. Although to be honest I've always tended to steer clear of the latter."

The 38-year-old added that his vocabulary is now below average, that he is quicker to "get frustrated, lose [his] temper and train of thought", and that his flexibility of thought, stubbornness and impatience are "now in the bottom 2%".

However, Cracknell said that he was delighted to find out during his recovery that wife Beverley Turner was expecting their third child.

He said: "I'm so proud of her and our unborn child for the way they have looked after each other, and I'm determined to make sure I make a full recovery to be there for [children] Croyde and Kiki - not to mention Bev and junior."