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Katherine Grainger and Victoria Thornley named in the Team GB rowing squad for Rio

Katherine Grainger (left) and Victoria Thornley will team up in Rio in August
Image: Katherine Grainger (left) and Victoria Thornley will team up in Rio in August

Rowing great Katherine Grainger will compete at the Olympic Games in Rio this summer after she was named alongside Victoria Thornley in the women's double scull.

The duo were not named when 43 of the 47-strong squad were announced earlier this month, having made a late attempt to be selected in the women's eight.

However, British Rowing performance Sir David Tanner said at the time that he expected Grainger and Thornley to be selected as a duo and his forecast has proved correct.

The 40-year-old Grainger is Team GB's most decorated female Olympian, having claimed silvers in 2000, 2004 and 2008 before claiming gold alongside Anna Watkins at London 2012.

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The Scot has been teamed with the 28-year-old Thornley since returning from a break in 2014 and the duo claimed European bronze in 2015.

However, they were less successful at this year's European Championship, leading to their unsuccessful bid to join the eight.

The selections of Grainger and Thornley mean 46 of the 47 Team GB rowers have now been named.

Grainger said: "It is an amazing feeling to be selected to represent your country at the Olympic Games.

"That feeling doesn't diminish the second, third, fourth or even fifth time round.

"I am proud to have been selected into the women's double with Vicky and look forward with confidence to the next few weeks of training camps, where we can make huge strides towards our goal of competing for a medal in Rio."