Britain wins double rowing golds in just 20 minutes
By Claire Corkery
Last Updated: 12/08/16 8:07pm
A golden day for British rowing began with Helen Glover and Heather Stanning claiming victory in the women's pairs final, dominating the race throughout.
Denmark and New Zealand appeared to be catching the British pair with 500m to go but a gritty last push from the reigning champions ruled out any chance of an upset at Lagoa.
After their win, Glover and Stanning paid tribute to their coach Robin Williams who has battled illness and still managed to coach them, before adding that successfully defending their Olympic title meant even more than winning gold at London 2012.
Just 20 minutes later the men's coxless four repeated the success and won the second gold of the day, beating rivals Australia back into second.
Alex Gregory, Mohamed Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis made it six gold medals so far at the Games, taking Britain clear of the pack and just one gold medal shy of third-placed Japan.
Meanwhile there was success for Ireland as Gary and Paul O'Donovan scooped their nation's first medal of the Rio Olympics, clinching silver in the lightweight men's double sculls.
On a wet morning, the Cork brothers shone with a fine performance to secure a spot on the podium.
The O'Donovans produced the race of their life, with another strong finish seeing them come from fifth at the halfway mark to win silver in six minutes 31.23 seconds.
Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Gary O'Donovan said: "It's brilliant. We're so proud to be able to represent Ireland and to come home with a medal, it's unbelievable.
"We really gave it everything we could and to come home with a silver medal, we're delighted."
