Rowing: Team GB's Kat Copeland confirms she plans to defend her Olympic title in Rio
Kat Copeland has put retirement plans on hold, confirming that she intends to defend her title in 2016.
Last Updated: 22/10/12 1:16pm
Copeland, alongside Sophie Hosking, provided one of the surprise successes at London 2012 this summer.
They won gold in the women's lightweight double sculls despite having only started to compete together just four months before.
Although Copeland explained shortly afterwards that she was considering ending her rowing career to pursue a university degree, the 21-year-old is now determined to compete in four years' time.
She told BBC Sport: "University is important, but I can go any time.
"As a rower you have a limited lifespan so I want to make the most of it.
"Before London, I said we had no pressure and had nothing to lose because people weren't expecting us to win gold.
"But after winning gold, I still don't feel any pressure because I got what I wanted. I'm continuing because I love to row."
Fellow champions Helen Glover, Heather Stanning, Alex Gregory and Pete Reed have also confirmed their aims to compete in Brazil.
