An incredible gold-winning row from Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins in the women’s double sculls earlier today secured Great Britain’s fourth Olympic gold in just 24 hours, making it six in total for GB.
It was Grainger’s fourth attempt at Olympic rowing gold, with the 36-year-old having claimed silver at her last three Olympic Games in Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. She shone at Eton Dorney today with partner Watkins to take the gold in six minutes 55.82 seconds.
Asked what it was like to finally be an Olympic Champion, Grainger said: ”It’s very hard to put into words but it’s every bit as
wonderful as you might think.
“It’s been a long, long wait but it’s not been painful, I’ve had a great few years. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work.”
She went on to talk about the support of the crowd, saying: “None of us has raced in front of anything like it. The last 300 metres lift you like nothing else.”
The GB women’s double scull led from the outset and the script went to plan. Australia tried coming back on them at 1300m but could not derail what became an emotional ride down the course both for the GB due and for the nation.
Silver this time went to Australia, with Poland picking up bronze.
“We knew we were capable of this in our heads and in our hearts but we still had to deliver it”, said Watkins.
“We didn’t know what conditions we were going to get, but it was fine. We knew we’d win from halfway. It’s a dream come true.”
Grainger and Watkins are now unbeaten in 23 races and since teaming up two years ago the duo have claimed two World Championship titles, bringing Grainger’s total to six world gold medals overall.
Prior to today it was the Olympic gold that had eluded her, and this victory confirms Grainger as the most successful British female rower of all time.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
