PREDO PROFILES #6: BENNO

For the month leading up to World Cup Predos, we will profile the runners and riders in a series of intimate interviews. In this episode we speak to Benno, who collapsed in sight of the rostrum at Europredo. 

PREDO: Predo Thomas here, what are your thoughts going into this year's predo tournament?

BENNO: Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my life and many of the life choices I’ve made over the years and wondering if, coming to my 35th birthday, my course in life is now pretty set or whether there are any surprises or big changes around the corner. And I guess, when you think about it, that sort of thing is hard to predict. So I am grateful to be concentrating on calling the outcome of Russia v Saudi Arabia instead.

PREDO: Who do you see as your main Predo rivals? 

BENNO: Predo Thomas. He has made a name for himself with his predos and you have to respect that sort of reputation. There are other tough competitors there too - I would never discount a Riley - and also quite a few people I’m not that aware of, but most importantly I am focusing on myself, on controlling the controllables, and if I can just make sure that I get all my predictions absolutely correct then the rest will take care of itself. 

PREDO: How do you feel about the Predo Panel having power of attorney over all competitors for the duration of the tournament? 

BENNO: Fine. Absolutely fine. The Predo Panel are good people, very experienced, and they have the best interests of all the competitors at heart. What they would never do, for instance, is commit one of the competitors into non-voluntary mental health care simply because said competitor had questioned one of their rulings, nor would they ever consider turning off life support or issuing DNR orders for their own financial benefit in the event of any serious accident which may occur within the duration of the tournament. Because of this responsible approach, competitors can speak freely and openly about the Predo Panel and the feelings they have about the Panel holding power of attorney without fear of consequences, so rest assured if I was to have any reservations about it then I would surely tell you. 

PREDO: Lastly, Benno, we have a question from another competitor who wants to remain anonymous - they say "are you going to choke again?" 

BENNO: It’s easy for anonymous keyboard warriors to criticise your performance when they don’t know the ins and outs and the circumstances surrounding the camp over the course of the tournament. Not to make excuses, but there were certain situations that had to be dealt with at the time, which undoubtedly had an effect on performance - again, I’m not making excuses, but it’s a fact. I won’t go into the situation any further because, I can’t stress this enough, I don’t want to be seen to be making excuses and also the situation was private within the camp and isn’t for anybody on the outside. Suffice to say, it has now been dealt with thanks to a short course of antibiotics and I have been advised that a recurrence is highly unlikely. I am now fully focused, driven and clean for the upcoming tournament and ready to give my all and be the best I can be. 

PREDO: Thank you for your honesty Benno.

BENNO: You’re very welcome, Predo. Please give my regards to the Predo Panel, whom I admire greatly.