Wallace only wants Rio gold

Veteran sprint kayaker Ken Wallace says he won't be happy leaving Rio with anything less than an Olympic medal.

Wallace tasted medal success in Beijing in 2008, winning gold and bronze in the 500m and 1000m single kayak events.

In London he paddled with David Smith in the K2 1000m and finished fourth.

The 33-year-old is determined to climb the podium again at Lagoa Stadium and believes he has the crew to do it.

In Rio he will line up in the K2 with Lachie Tame while he's the experienced campaigner in the K4 1000m.

Wallace will team with Jacob Clear, who was part of the K4 that won gold in London, and youngsters Riley Fitzsimmons, 20, and Jordan Wood, 22, who are making their Olympic debut.

"We had three world cups this year and we raced everyone that we're going to race here at the Olympics and we came away with a gold and two silvers so it would be tough to come to Rio and not have that expectation of being up on the podium, and preferably the top," Wallace said.

Despite his Olympic success the Queenslander hasn't ever competed in the K4 before, and only started competing internationally this year again after 11 years.

"Racing in May at the World Cup was the first time I'd raced a K4 internationally in 11 years and we came away with a win," said Wallace.

"It was good to jump back in and race the best in the world and get over the top of them so it's going to be pretty exciting."

Racing gets underway at the Olympic rowing venue on Monday, with Australia having a 13-strong team.