Day 7 BBC One: 13.40-18.00 Olympics

HAZEL IRVINE: I wish everybody hello, to those joining us on BBC

One. Heptathlete away with Britain's Katerina Johnson-Thompson and

defending champion Jessica Ennis-Hill yet to compete. Each

number two about to get under way. For those watching on BBC Two, it is

time to change, rejoin us on BBC One and we will catch you there.

Welcome to the first morning of athletics in the Olympic Stadium. It

is a little bit damp. Conditions are not too bad otherwise. Not too much

of a breeze. It is fairly mild. Conditions forecast to improve. Need

two four in the women's heptathlon. And just a reminder of how they line

up. They are seeded according to season's best times. Apart from

Laura Ikauniece. They put her in on her shot put best for reasons best

known to themselves. It is a tricky technical event to start things in

heptathlete. Rain is coming down more heavily again. The shining down

on this grand stadium. A sparse selection of spectators

this morning. So often the way in morning sessions.

The first blaring horn for the false start. In multi-events, a slightly

different approach. That is right. They have another chance. Not like

individual events where you get disqualified. There will be a

warning for lane one. Everybody else can try to keep nice and calm.

Nerves and tension. The German. The world silver-medallist in Berlin. In

2009. Oeser. She is spared here. In the multi-events they have another

chance. It is not just one false start and you were out. That would

be harsh. One false start. Anything more, and she will be gone.

They are ready again for heat two. Oh, dear. Oh, no. Was it Barbara

Nwaba? Shaking her head and grimacing. Coming, Colin Jackson,

with your amazing eyes. I think you are right. A little twitch. Barbara

Nwaba looks nervous that Thiam... A yellow card. You can see the relief

on her face. I am not sure Thiam knew she would still be OK. One for

Oeser and anybody from the field after that. A yellow card.

Let's try it again. Jennifer Oeser in lane two. Barbara Nwaba in five.

Nadine Broersen is a good Dutch heptathlete. Once more.

A long way down on her personal best of three tenths of a second. Looking

for indicators. Is the track fast? Are the conditions fast? We knew her

pedigree in the hurdles. She should not have been in this heat that she

came through to take the victory. A decent time but I think she would

have expected more. Especially after a personal best in the previous

heat. I think she will be disappointed. Hurdling in the rain

is not the best, with lots of distractions. Water flying in your

face. You are catching the droplets that you are flicking off the lead

foot which smacks you in the face, which is off-putting when you have

barriers in front of you. Pretty sure that all of these ladies have

run in these conditions before. Not an ideal start. We know it is the

winter, but you would hope for a little bit more sunshine. Technique

is pretty solid. Off to a decent start for Laura

Ikauniece. Not a great start for Grit Sadeiko, who did not finish. We

will move onto the next heat. Thiam got a personal best in the

previous heat. You can get fast times on the track even in these

conditions. You can and as Andrew Cotter said they are looking to get

close to their personal best. This one in particular, Katerina

Johnson-Thompson has set a personal best this year. She is in good form.

But an anxious moment as she waits. Jessica Ennis-Hill going in the

final heat. Coming through the warm up area

earlier. Totally at ease in this environment and has this air which

other competitors acknowledged after Beijing. She has an aura, so in

control. I do not know what is going on inside but she looks like she is

always controlled. It is one of her strengths. To navigate yourself

through these two days, long days. A lot of time to reflect and a lot of

time to get really anxious. She manages to remain composed. She says

there is a fire going on in her belly. She will be nervous. Going to

retain her title, she is going into new territory which is exciting for

her. We can join the third heat, featuring Katerina Johnson-Thompson

of Great Britain as she launches her challenge for this Olympic title.

Steve Cram. That is a motley crew if ever you

saw one. Looking tense, ready to go. All of the BBC contingent, radio

colleagues alongside us. The media ranks pretty busy, pretty full. You

down the home straight. A lot of families and friends in this

section, as well, but not too many people in the stadium. If you think

of 2012, that first morning when the athletes came out and the reception

they received, very different. For Katerina Johnson-Thompson, really

about making sure that she delivers. She goes in lane four. And the

European champion is next to her in Lane 5. Just about the quickest.

Anouk Vetter did run a personal best. 13.37, Katerina

Johnson-Thompson. That was with a slight following wind. It was not

the best weather back in May. 1.1 following wind. Interesting to see

how she goes. Heather Miller-Koch of the USA with a new personal best

overall at the American trials. The Ukraine athlete in Lane 3. Looking

at the results, there have been two, three personal bests. It is

certainly improving, the conditions. It has now stop drizzling. There are

the British fans behind cage 18. KJT. Anouk Vetter, the new European

champion. 13.20 nine. A new personal best for this event. Claudia Rath,

of Germany, always performs well in major championships.

Next to her, Rodriguez, of Cuba. We have just seen the Colombian

heptathlete do quite a bit personal best in the first heat. We will see

if Rodriguez can follow suit. Representing Cuba. The European

under 23 champion from Hungary. Xenia Krizsan. And on the outside,

the Nigerian, and the African champion. Osazuwa. Personal-best

13.20 eight. Big, big moment to for KJT. The first event. She needs to

start well. It goes without saying. The quest for an Olympic medal

begins right here. Katerina Johnson-Thompson made a

pretty good start. Anouk Vetter is just going to get

it. Into a slight headwind. Let's see, Johnson-Thompson about a tenth

slower. What would she give back, seven, eight out of ten? I am

thinking she might be disappointed she did not get a personal best. She

is physically looking the best shape I have seen her looking. Lean and

aggressive. Sometimes she is a little bit gentle, a little soft. I

think Oshima chores and get more confident and pushes herself and

believes her technique is good enough to take the barriers at

speed, she has great speed, I think she can gain a lot of points.

Definitely to go under 13 seconds, when the time is right. Right now,

that time, it is what it is. She will have to do with it and work

with it. Interesting. I said there have been personal-bests, from the

not so good hurdlers. The decent hurdlers have not run as quick as we

thought they might. Is it a factor? We know the track is the same as we

have in London. In the anniversary games we saw a world record on an

identical track. I think everybody might be slightly frustrated, these

women, wondering what is going on. She has a lovely head. Very clean

over the barriers. She can afford to be more aggressive with the trail

leg. The leg she pulls over the hurdle last, it needs to get there

quicker to push her arm to the next hurdle, to the ground. Right now,

that is where she is at. STUDIO: Outside of her personal

best. Because they compete so infrequently, they look to produce

personal-bests in championships. How will she be feeling without? Seven

out of ten, I think Steve said. I think that is fair. For Kat, she

wants to stay in contention because she knows the quicker girls are in

the last heat. It is relative. The personal-bests, times, to the fast

girls. She knows that. It is not a bad start. We can get back out there

with the final heat featuring the Olympic and world champion, Jessica

Ennis-Hill. Andrew Cotter. And so it begins for Jessica

Ennis-Hill. Getting ready to launch her defence. Before we see her go

let's wrap up the result from the last heat. She will get 1053 points,

Katerina Johnson-Thompson. These are the quicker hurdlers in this final

heat. Steve was saying how different the

atmosphere to the opening of the heptathlon in London four years ago.

A few more spectators are coming in. First things first for Jessica

Ennis-Hill. Get through safely. Things can go wrong in hurdles. She

would expect below 13. I think she would be satisfied below 12.9 and

happy with 12.8. In London she ran 12.54, an astonishing time in London

four years ago. She is a world class hurdler. Alongside her, Brianne

Theisen-Eaton. She will push out all the way. She does not have a great

strength, one events, the Canadian, but she has no weaknesses. Very

consistent. And two who will surely challenge for the medals alongside

each other, in this heat containing the fastest hurdlers. This is how

they line up. The final heat. Carolin Schafer is very strong

through the events, as well. It seems to have dried up a little

bit, but damp underfoot. Carolin Schafer is a former world and junior

champion. New personal best this season with over 6500 points. Like

Brianne Theisen-Eaton she is consistent across all the events.

From Barbados, Akkela Jones. Here has gone below 13 seconds.

There is Nadine Visser. The strong Dutch contingent. A 21-year-old. She

ran a 12.81 in Beijing in the World Championship hurdles.

And Katrina Cachova of the Czech Republic. A former world youth

champion. There is a British fans' corner behind the start. They always

come in very, very good numbers! Nana Djimouida. She can go 13

seconds as well. Let's wait to see the reception she

gets... There is a smile. But then the game face is back on.

12.76 this season. Anywhere close to that she will be pleased with. And

Brianne Theisen-Eaton. The world indoor champion.

And perhaps looking for a family double.

That would be with Ashlon Eton, a strong favourite in the decathlon.

There is Kendell Williams. So along side Jessica Ennis-Hill

there are very quick hurdlers as well.

So to the start, around these very, very tense moments for Jessica

Ennis-Hill and Brianne Theisen-Eaton. There is Carolin

Schafer, Nadine Visser, Heather Miller-Koch, Kendell Williams also

there to begin their happen at that time Ron challenges.

Cleanly away. A good start by Jessica Ennis-Hill. Out in front.

Leading Brianne Theisen-Eaton. Jessica Ennis-Hill moving quickly.

Nadine Visser strongly. Jessica Ennis-Hill no mistakes. Quick

between the barriers. 12.84. A little clench of the fist from

Jessica Ennis-Hill. Pay no attention to the 12.54 from four years ago.

That is a very, very good start. There is the smile and the tension

leaves a little bit. She knows that is a very, very good start.

It's a positive start from Jessica Ennis-Hill. Good off the blocks.

Threatens everybody straight away. That time is faster than when she

ran in the world title last year. So you can see the shape that Jessica

Ennis-Hill has arrived here in rowee. Demonstrating to everybody

she is here to defend her title if you want to take it from her,

ladies, they will have to work very hard indeed.

What a start. It is important to nail the start.

Instantly there is pressure on the opponents around you. They know how

good Jessica Ennis-Hill is as a hurdler. That they cannot bring the

distance back. So Jessica can push on, focussing on each one of the

barriers to ensure that they are accurate. Run off it hard, dip in

and end with the fantastic time. A great opener.

And keeping an eye on Brianne Theisen-Eaton. She will be solid in

all of the events. Her time was 13.1 #. So not bad as her personal best

is 12.93. So it looks good there, the lead. But it can be misleading?

You are right. It can be. It is all relative. You put that time of

Jessica Ennis-Hill next to her personal best and Brianne

Theisen-Eaton's personal best, they are not so far from each other. This

is going to be a very competitive competition. We know that. We are

expecting it. Now that the hurdles are out of the way, the first event

is negotiated well. Now they move on.

And for Jessica Ennis-Hill to go below 13 seconds here. We know how

good she is as a hurdler. She has delivered. Watch that fist, there we

go. We knew that was a job well done. Confirmation of the times and

the Olympic champion is off to a good start. A long way clear of

Akela Jones. Well, a long way to go as you well

know, Denise Lewis. But off to a positive start, still six events to

come. The mindset, the feeling inside, that must help to settle it

all nicely? It does. That was a first blow dealt by Jess. The best

event. She needed that authority. You saw the look at the beginning of

the race. She knew it was crucial to get under the 13 seconds, that was

excellent. And Brianne Theisen-Eaton, next to her in the

lane, she was blown away by how quick Jess was out of the blocks. So

I think that affected her race greatly. And a Paula, across the

board you felt that there was a great race there. But the two

British ladies, a solid start? Yes. A solid start.

Obviously Jess is going to walk away happier than Katrina

Johnson-Thompson. Well, there a few technical Gremlins

to sort out. But we have enjoyed the opening heats.

One in setbacken of Britain's heptathletes. We will sort out that

technicality soon. But all across the Olympic programme, the final

piece of the puzzle for some of Great Britain's rowers is about to

try to be found... It is the beat... There is always the beat... From the

nervous heart it begins in the wondering moments before.

Then it is the rate of heart and stroke lifted.

The beat is the rhythm of the boat. Of the blade that skims and pulls

through the water. It is the steady hard breathing of

you alone or of the others around. It is the beat that tor meants.

It seems to never end. The beat that takes you to exhaustion.

And then further still. You dig deeper and pull harder until lungs

close and muscles fail and legs are on fire. Until you think "I cannot

find anymore", and then that is when you must, for there is always the

beat. Time over time, over time again, until finally, it ends.

And the noise of the world outside comes in... COMMENTATOR: They've

done ? it! They've done it! Olympic

champions and the crowd are going mad! Relief, exhaustion and triumph!

Well, there will be exhaustion but will there be triumph? That is the

question. The women's pair is going at 3.00pm. The men's four at 3.20pm.

But there is a lot going on this morning. And Alan Campbell is here

as the first Northern Irish athlete to compete in four different Games.

He took a bronze in London in the men's skulls. He has great company

for this one. Here we go. It is the second

semi-final. The red light. The last chance here for these crews to get

the final three qualifications. And out fast. There Belgium is in lane

three. That man has blasted out. The skullers come towards us.

Poland are up in lane one to the right of your picture. A glorious

backdrop here. No not so the conditions. That will not bother the

skullers. This is the semi-final. Number two in the men's single

skulls. Alan has a very quick start. A quick

turn of speed. He is using it in the semi- with I is what he needs to put

himself up amongst the skullers here. The Belgium skuller, he is up

against. It is not given he would make the

final but I back him. Absolutely.

From the Australian skuller, Rhyce Grant, he has come through the final

Olympic qualification but we have not seen him for a while since 2014

on the international circuit. So fair play to Rhyce Grant for

qualifying through. There he is. He will keep Alan up on it. And then

Belgium in lane three. Now as we hit the first timing mark, surprise,

surprise, t from New Zealand there. Now the crews start to lengthen out.

Coming off the sprint into the sustainable middle thousand and.

Look at Mahe move on. He has the measure of lane one and three by

now. The Poland skuller, is up in lane one and then the skuller from

Belarus in lane six. Mahe and Alan are former training

partners. Alan is going well. A good rhythm.

He is playing a great game of sticking one man up.

He knows if he sticks with the Belgium he will be in with the top

three. These boats are no little more than

a foot wide. Obviously they are the top of their game, the very best

skullers are here. But this is exceptional stuff. One of the

hardest boats to race here. Mahe is right on. Every time the stroke goes

in, bang, the leg is down. Pushing through. And watch lane two. The

green boat. That is what we are tracking. Alan Campbell. 33 years of

age coming through. Fifth at Lucerne.

And look, there from Belgium, the man is creeping back.

So as we get to 800, to 1,000, the skullers start to step it up.

Turning the screw. We are now approaching the halfway mark. This

is it, 1,000 metres remaining to qualify for the Olympic final of the

men's skulls. Three places on offer.

Mahe is driving now. Watch him skull out in the race is on between four

skullers for three slots. And in subtext, the last time that

Drysdale raced, the Belgium beat him. So Mahe is set up for the final

but he has a score to settle here. He is doing that well.

He was on a mission. So maybe there is something in the tank.

Alan Campbell looking from that shot as who Obreno is going through in

the green boat. But for Alan it is important to qualify. Watching

Grant. He is the reigning Australian interstate sculling champion. So he

is going to give it some. He is going to kick on for Australia.

Grant in lane five. This is a dangerous point. The

Australian is storming. He is the quickest in the race.

Mahe, he will know but he has that under control here.

A man on a mission. Defending his Olympic title of four years ago.

Very strong throughout this regatta. He has seen off Andre Schonek in the

early rounds. This is the semi-final. A length

more of clear water over Belgium's Obreno. In third place, the

qualification spot has gone to Rhyce Grant of Australia. Back into

fourth, Campbell for Great Britain. He can do this.

You are right. He has a good turn of speed. If he stays within a few feet

of Grant of Australia, he will get it. He has a great turn of speed, he

does not want to leave too much to do.

Look at this! Where has Szmczyk coming from? He must thinking if you

can do it, I can. And the last time these skullers

came to the World Cup he was seven at Lucerne. Alan fifth in the final.

Alan is struggling. He has to think at 250 out. 25 strokes away from an

Olympic final and Campbell is slipping off to fourth maybe fifth

position. But Stanislav is waiting. Biding his time. He is like a madman

coming at it! New Zealand's Mahe Drysdale. 100 out

from the line. He knows he has got it, Mahe. On the right, Hannes

Obreno from Belgium. It looks as though Shcharbachenia is not

satisfied with third. He is going for the lane position in the final.

He comes down. Qualifying in second place, Shcharbachenia. Over the line

in third is Hannes Obreno and there will be huge disappointment for Alan

Campbell from Great Britain, who gave it is all in the 1500 but when

the screw was turned by the Belarussian and Belgian, he could

not respond. Alan Campbell has been raced out of

it. John, Steve, he gave it everything.

Yes, he has, as ever, but a push too far? Form would say he would

struggle to get into the final and that is proved. I thought he would

beat the Belarussian. I thought the Belgian and Kiwi would come through

but what a turn of speed the Belarussian hand. A wretched day

down here, but from a roaming point of view it is fine because the water

is flat, but for spectators, it is a horror. It has almost stopped but

the past half-hour it has been a deluge. The spectators here to watch

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning and the men's four, they won't mind.

A gold medal would make the weather go away but it is not much fun,

still. The men's four, I am sure most of you can name Banks, Wilson,

World Cup winning football and rugby teams and you know Foster and

Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave because that four is

etched into the sporting memory but what makes the ultimate perfect

four? A couple of days ago, when the sun was shining, Steve and Matthew

Pinsent and James Cracknell and I sat down at a nice little bar at

Ipanema Beach to discuss that. What do you think is the defining

quality that an outstanding men's four needs? I do not think you can

pin it on one element. There are a lot of elements to bring together,

engine capacity, size of athletes, length of stroke is the most

important thing. You need four people who bring an ego, ideas and

are willing to back the ideas up. You always look for improvement, you

always look to go for seconds quicker than the last Olympic gold

medal was won in, at record speed. If we talk about the individual

roles, the stroke man, is he the conductor of the orchestra? You put

the person at stroke with the best rhythm. Or you have the person at

stroke you cannot follow anyone else! LAUGHTER.

I could not stroke a cat so I was at the other end. It is the bass

drummer. You need something that is consistent at whatever tempo. My

confidence came from setting my stall out in the boat and saying

this is what I think is right at any particular moment and I cannot look

around, look at others in the race. It is just, this is what I am doing

and it is right. And at the back, what is the bow seat role? Anchor.

Certainly within our make up. What James brought in. He was the man

motivator. He had that hunger. He made sure the trading was done to

its best ability. I knew if form dropped we were out and I wanted to

make sure it was my best chance of a medal and I would do everything to

stay in that boat. You have Steve, Tim and Matt roaming behind. I could

see what they were doing. I would be the coach in the boat, trying to

raise the level, being critical, based firmly in the knowledge they

could not see what I was doing. In the context of the current four, how

strong are they? They could win by the biggest margin than the last few

coxless fours. They have scared people in the event which is what

you try to do. They have the capability of being the quickest

four the world has ever seen, but they have to be. The standards goes

up from Olympics two Olympics. They do have different personalities and

roles. Constantine Louloudis, he stroked the men's eight in London

and they got a bronze medal and George Nash behind him is racy, and

powerful, but not as powerful as others. Mostly he be is a huge

engine and not particularly heavy and many have Alex Gregory who can

transfer back down to him. They are stronger and drove better and as a

unit it means they will go fast. So get your money on now. James is

confident. Would you echo that? I think so. The Australians are going

better than they were in the season. But our guys look so confident and

cool and calm and powerful. In the semifinal they went out from the gun

and at the halfway point everybody else trailed in their slipstream. It

is a statement of intent. Very much so. They wanted to say, we are

dominant. Once they got out in front, they took their foot off the

gas because the Australians or the other semifinal did the same, but

they kept pushing right the way to the line. The Australian semifinal

time was quicker by six seconds. Is there six seconds between them? No.

What the Australians don't know is what this crew has actually got,

which is more than they showed in the semifinal. Is a four 25% each,

or is there an element that is 28%? Is the stroke man slightly more

important because he sets the rhythm? Everyman has their roles,

every person has their role in a rowing boat, but the saying is you

are only as strong as your weakest person so you try to get equal

matches of personality, strength, of leverage, all the elements you want,

of endurance, to get to that high level. It should be 25%, but if you

have somebody outstanding, who can do something special that takes

everyone with them, that is a bonus. But you only go as fast as the

slowest person. So it is the 28% person, is that Sbihi? He is a

monster of an athlete. He is with a record on the two kilometres test.

Constantine Louloudis is an amazing athlete, not the biggest and

strongest, but physiologically, he can get rid of lactate, or does not

produce as much as the others. Whatever boat Louloudis gets into,

it always goes fast. Is he so strong he can hold an umbrella for 20

minutes with just his left hand? I think you probably could! And

hopefully he will go on to another Olympics and comeback with the

flag-bearers and come in with one of those. Just taking water off the

umbrella here. If the four win, and we are not counting chickens, there

are many a slip between a cup and gold medal, but there is an

assumption based on form, obviously, that the four will win and the same

can be said for Helen Glover and Heather Stanning who have not lost

since 2012. In their semifinal they were emphatically the best crew and

all things being equal, they should be gold-medallists in just under an

hour's time. COMMENTATOR: Great Britain into the

record books. Great Britain are the Olympic champions. Helen Glover and

Heather Stanning, we stand up and we salute you. Good morning. Hello.

Thanks for letting me, long early and disturb you. You look bright and

breezy. This is obviously what you do every day. Early mornings are

normal. It is great to have you along and we will show you what is a

normal day. I love this place, a fantastic facility. You better show

me where we are off to. We will go to the gym first. Get an idea of

everybody before they go at. Everybody comes into stretch before

they go out. Your bodies are so used to trading, three times a day. Do

you ever come in feeling stiff? Yes, quite often. If we have had a big

weights session, the legs will be hurting from the previous day. These

machines you never want to be told you are on. Six days a week this

regime? Six, mostly. On a Sunday we will train in our own time. It is

seven days a week and we get a day off every three, six weeks. When you

talk about success at the Olympics what is up here is the important

thing. It is whether you can switch it on at the right time, get the

best out of each other and perform when you have to perform. It will be

tougher in Rio because they are Olympic champions, undefeated. They

hold all the records. It would be a shock if they did not win a gold

medal. It would be. They have found a level of consistency and

contentment with each other inside and outside the boat which makes

them a formidable force. How easy is it to make sure you are on the same

page in terms of goals and aspiration? We find it easy because

it complements each other. If we were two of the same it would be

difficult. I am more energetic in my delivery of things and quite

focused. I drive a lot of things we do and have definitely absorbs a lot

of it. From the outside you would think... You are about to become a

major in the army so you would think you would be more noisy. Is that

what you are like in your army life? I am not a typical army officer who

is like, follow me, I am going to shout the orders. I am more stand

back and observe. When you drive out of the gates in the evening, are you

in touch with each other, or is your life outside separate? We are

probably in touch too much. Normally because I have forgotten something,

or I need to remind Heather of something. So most nights we will

have a text like, remember, Gabby Logan is coming in tomorrow. We can

be rowing, and go out and do something as friends. It is not all

about the roaming, which is nice. It is hours of hard work not just for

ourselves but family and friends who support you. Once you are an

Olympian you are always an Olympian. It is who we are, it is what we have

worked hard for. London was great. An experience we never expected, to

win a gold medal at home Games, but your childhood version is you get a

tracksuit on, step on a plane, stepped off a plane in a different

country and represent the name on your back with the Olympic rings on

your chest, and that is the version you grow up with. The opportunity to

do that is special, this version I have had since I was at school. That

opportunity will arrive in a few minutes. You may have spotted the

watery sun has appeared and the rain has abated. Maybe we will have

glorious blue skies when they take to the water. The heat was a minor

cause for concern, which they eventually won, but they were given

a run for their money by the danish, who planted a seed of doubt. They

have never been put under that sort of pressure. They were a long way

down on the Danes. And you would have said them coming into it, they

are not a medal boat. And to see Helen keep looking around. They have

never been in this situation in the closing stages of a race and I think

they only won this race on their determination and guts, and also

that the Danes were thinking, we should not be here, they will come

back. If they had gritted their teeth, I am sure the Danes would

have won that race. What a difference a day makes. A couple of

days later they came to the semifinal and it was like watching

the old Helen and Heather. Because they were in the first of the three

heats, the way the draw system works, if you are in the first, you

will get a winner from the other heat. They would have had the Kiwis

or the USA and USA looked fantastic in their heat and you are thinking,

oh, a la girls are not going so well and the Americans are on form. The

Americans have doubled up in the eighth. They are not here. This was

their regatta. This was the moment. They drew the Americans and had to

put their flag down and go for it and see what they have got. In the

past four years, if there have been questions, they have probably been

asked twice and they have answered it every time and did they answer

this in the semifinals, they blew everybody away and said, we will win

the gold medal. Their regatta was yesterday in that semifinal. Is it

harder to win a second gold medal than a first? I think yes, in some

ways, because the pressure is on you and you have done it before and you

have raised the level and you have marked that level and that is where

you have to go to. You know you have done it before. What you don't want

to do, especially the semifinal, you do not want to go into the semifinal

with question marks, because if you lose it, you have no time to turn it

around. In terms of the make up of the crew, we recorded three months

ago, they get on extremely well. Does that matter? If you want to be

together a long period of time, that matters. But the endgame is to go as

fast as they can, to try to win medals. If you are not the best of

friends and do not socialise outside the sport, it does not matter, but

if you want to keep going unbeaten as they are, I think that is part of

the make up you need. You need to enjoy, even if you are not the best

of friends, you need to enjoy each other's company. The lightweight

winner's double sculls will get under way, not featuring Charlotte

Taylor and Kat Copeland. Not even making a B final, a C

final. Well, that is how you must realise

you cannot take sport for anything. So, Ireland are making up sixth boat

in the Olympic final. Claire Lamb and Sinead Lynch. More about them.

But look at that, beautiful. The rain has come off here. That is good

for the first final. The women's light double.

The event where it is 57 kilograms of crew average. China in one,

Canada, two, South Africa, three, Netherlands in four, the world

champions, New Zealand in five, Ireland in number six.

So the race and the event that every lightweight skuller of top quality

dreams about here. The final of the women's lightweight double skulls,

China in one. New Zealand, the world champions, in

lane five. Ireland's Claire Lamb and Sinead Lynch in lane six.

Living and training in Cork. A little slow off the start here.

Lane two and four are the favourite crews there.

We are all basically Irish today. But the things to watch out for, the

Dutch were impressive in the semi-final. The Chinese are racing

well. They will be challenging.

New Zealand in lane five are the world champions. So a quality field

right across from lane one to lane six.

So, early stages. Ireland have been dropped off it.

They have made history by reaching the final.

For everything from here on in, yeah, it will be a great result.

They were not quick in the first 500 yesterday. But you don't want to get

dropped and then have to earn anything back you don't need to.

China in lane one, going throughout in first place. South Africa second.

The Netherlands in third. The world champions.

Grobler and McCann are the South African double skull. They are in

the mix. Je in, neri are, h and Obbe are

there in the mix. Pallis and Head there.

And Lamb and Lynch from Ireland. Lane number one making the early

pace. The The Dutch in the lane looked good. A strong rhythm and

relaxed. The South Africans came through.

And China are going well. Going well yesterday and then they got cramp.

So avoid the cramp today. It is a simple plan and effective

one for speed. Wang and Pen, 25 and 27. They were

the first World Cup regagat of the season. So they have shown speed.

And the South Africans are showing speed. The same tactics. Coming

through for 1,000. Looking to hold it for 600 metres and put the other

crews under pressure. So, through to the halfway mark of

the final. Still amongst it for some minor medals but out front is South

Africa. From Netherlands, New Zealand will have to come back in

here. The top of the picture is China. So South Africa, McCann and

Groebings bler. And Netherlands are ahead.

Fingers crossed for Ireland's Claire Lamb and Sinead Lynch. If they can

chase on New Zealand, it will be a big ask for them to get into the

medals from this position, though. So, Paulis and Head from the

Netherlands. The Chinese are starting to slow.

They had a very good first 1,000 metres. They are starting to run out

of steam. But the Dutch and the South Africans, the rhythm is taking

them through this. The Dutch ran in dominant style yesterday. The

relaxation there. A twitch to the head to see what the South Africans

are doing. They are confident. Moving through well. The Canadians

storming through. And McKenzie and Edwards from New

Zealand, they will have a quick last 500 metres. They will require that.

In the last time in 2016, we get into the last quarter of the finals

of the lightweight double skulls. I think that New Zealand are going

to challenge for a medal. The Dutch are going to blow the South Africans

away. I think that the scrap is for the

bronze and the silver. So lane one is China, lane two is

Canada. Lane three, look at that, the fight for the silver and the

bronze medal. Three crews, China, Canada and South Africa.

Canada are going to get silver. They have come through.

The pace that they are pushing is incredible.

The Chinese having led for long will have to find something to special to

come back on. So, Paulis and Head. They are

absolutely going like a train here. Look, loose, relaxed. Paulis and

Head. They look back on the rest of the world. Chasing them, fighting it

for the medals. It is looking like the Canadian crew, Jennerich and

Obbe. And China again are finding the speed. Look at the race for the

silver medal! The Chinese have turned the screw. Not just once, not

just twice, they have turned it three times but the Canadians of

Jenneric and Obbe have responded. The crowd are on their feet. And

rightly so here. Paulis and Head, from the Netherlands will be the new

Olympic champions 2016. Done in style! Right the way through. Silver

medal for Jennerich and Obbe from Canada and Wang and Penn from China

for the bronze medal. Claire Lamb and Sinead Lynch were

sixth today. But I hope that they celebrate. They have made history

getting through to the final. What a year that they have had.

And I don't know if you see the pictures, the Dutch crew and the

cameras, they will soon be swamped by swimmers. No matter how dirty the

lake. They love a swim out to the crew. The medallists there are all

happy. The Dutch responded well, the Canadianians stormed through the

field and there the Chinese. There they are. Such a great tradition

medals to these guys coming out as well. Steady on, they don't want to

boat going in. I think that they will be paying for

this tomorrow. Such a tradition.

It is always good to see the Dutch supporters.

I wonder if they know them. Or are the girls saying just go away

you vaguely drunk person! Great celebrations! They raced

brilliantly. They backed that with a fantastic final.

The way to do it. Look at this, the Netherlands were

third. Cool, calm, heads. They put themselves into 1,500s, third,

positioned well, then sitting back, putting town the power and enjoying

the final 100. The women's pair and the men's

forte, this is all about the strong rhythm. That is what the Dutch have.

So, Paulis and Head, the Olympic champions for 2016. They have done

it in such style here. That is what it means and rightly so.

Looking out on to the water. The Dutch, there we are... They are out

there celebrating. What is the origin of that, Steve? I think it

dates back to a club in Holland. They have a couple of traditions,

and one of them is swimming out. It has been picked up by all of the

Dutch. The other is the club Blazers that are handed down from generation

to generation. So when you leave the club your blazer is handed down.

It must be thread bear? They are never washed, very smelly and not

much material! But a great tradition.

Now being the sports administrator of the Henley regatta it is a

nightmare when the Dutch are going out there after a race. We try to

stop them doing it but they love it. But it is a great scene.

Yes, we love it. Now to the men's four. Who within an hour's time will

have a date with destiny. Going for a fifth consecutive Gold Medal in

this event for Great Britain, stretching back to Sydney. In the

four are Constantine Louloudis, Nash, and Habiddy but who really are

they? What quality does this combination have that you are

discovering? Individually we are all strong. We are all good at rowing.

That is our bread and butter. We bring the qualities to it. Mo is the

leader. He has a loud voice. He is physically dominant and strong. Alex

is a voice of experience. He is the only one who has won the Gold Medal

before in the boat. George is a racer. I can feel him, the Terrier

behind me, bearing his teeth the whole time at the opposition. I'm in

front sitting and doing as good a job I can out of the three people

behind me. There is a certain amount of expectation and pressure that the

likes of you put on us. But I think it is a great thing. We love it.

There are moments when we do training piece. A 500 or a 1,000 and

a quick time and we will hear, "maybe even quicker than in 2000! "

Impossible! We have done it. Done it in style! Great Britain, the Olympic

champions once more. The British four have done a clever

thing where one person has stayed on and been a link to the past. You are

now that person. Is that something in your mind? Yes, it is. It

provides me and brings me a sense of huge pride in my small way. I am

connected to you! For me, that is something that I grew up watching

because the coxless four in Sydney, Athens, wanting to be those people.

I am that person that has carried it on from one Olympics to another. So

in terms of personal pride it is something that I think about. The

Olympics is the biggest sporting show and circus and how much can you

allow it to be a positive? What are the dangers of it being a negative?

Where are you on the balance? You must appreciate what you are there

for. It is the Olympics don't put yourself under so much pressure you

are wiping out what the event is, how fun it is on the whole. It is a

small portion of the population that walked this earth that has ever gone

to the Olympics, you are one of them. Your dream is coming true by

representing your country in the Olympics.

What is the key thing you want to see?

We are confident in our abilities on the water and have shown that from

day one in the competition. To be able to grow like ourselves, do what

we do every day in training, when it comes to that race, which is like no

other, the Olympic final. If we can do that we will put ourselves in a

good position. We have just lost John. I have to

fill in. John: I am sorry, there was water

getting into our equipment. It has stopped raining now. Maybe it has

stopped raining for good, which would be excellent news. There is

action on the water. The Ben's lightweight double sculls. Garry

Herbert. Just approaching the first time in

500 metres down in this light double sculls. The Donovan brothers have

got themselves into a race. USA in lane two. Thompson and Smith,

Olympic champions in the light four. They have changed discipline in Lane

3. Lane four, the world champions, undefeated in 2016 and it's going

toe to toe between the South Africans in four and France in five.

-- and France. We have Poland in six. This is what you would expect

in a lightweight doubles final. You cannot see the Polish in Lane 6, but

everybody else's in shops. The winners of the semifinals are France

in lane four and South Africa in three. The Norwegians right up there

in the mix and they have been the most consistent crew throughout the

three years between the Olympics with medals every year. Five crews

battling over three medals and so there will be two very unhappy

campers. Ireland have already made history with their women's

lightweight double. And these are going strong. See how they are

moving. They are pushing now. In the second 500 metres they will push

hard. They are incredible athletes. They are the same weight. These

Irish boys are incredibly strong. Maybe not the standard of the

French, but they are strong. They will need the strength mentally and

physically because it is all up for grabs. We have five votes, not much

between them, chasing down the Olympic gold medal. On your right,

Ireland coming through, USA, South Africa, moving to the left of your

picture, Norway, France and Norway, this is a real battle. This is hell

for the rowers in the third 500 metres. They will do their first big

push and look around to see if it has had an impact and if it has not,

how do they respond? In four, France starting to move. South Africa

coming through. In lane one, the Irish, as well. This is where they

will use their strength. South Africa, this is where they took

control of the semifinal. The French normally would be half, three

quarters of a length up, so they are not having their best race, or other

people are pushing them. It is all to play for. Nobody will crack at

this point. Sensational, James. Ireland, they are into silver medal

position. Look at the boys. Ireland, if they dare to believe, they will

be going mad in the streets of Skibbereen, whether Donovan brothers

come from. They train in Cork. It is everything to play for for all

medals. The French are in the position they are comfortable in.

They can see the rest of the field. The Norwegians have not gone out in

the same way as yesterday when they led clearly at halfway. The Irish

using their physical attributes. They have a good sprint. Have they

put it into early? I don't know. America is out. I think it is France

for gold, and silver and bronze between Ireland, Norway and South

Africa. Look at the closest to us. Norway and France. France out front.

Norway, world champions two years ago. The Irish have a crack at this.

The O Donovan brothers have to back themselves. Every stroke they take

they are getting closer to the French. Norway are pushing on hard.

In the middle, South Africa, Thompson and Smith. 25 out. The

Irish are definitely moving the quickest. Coming up to it, prime

France for gold. Ireland, the O'Donovan brothers have done it.

They have not realised yet. We are looking out onto the course. And now

they punched the air. And that is the French, who finished supreme. In

Skibbereen they will be going mad, rightly so. There they are. It shows

the pain it took to hang on. Coming at them South Africa and Norway.

Norway getting the bronze medal. For this event, 70 kilograms, the best

in the world, the best at the Olympic Games. The French were

tough. That is why they are champions. The Norwegians showed why

they have been on a last years. They did not quite produce enough to win

but better than yesterday. When Norway came back at Ireland for the

last time, the last ten strokes, the O'Donovan brothers backed

themselves. They found the resolve and power. They made sick ethic and

history here. Forget the fact they made history getting to the final,

they have made even better history by being on the podium. Making the

final, talking about making history, they would have paid no attention to

that. This is their belief that backing themselves was incredibly

important and this is the history they wanted to make. Houin and his

partner reign supreme. What a great moment for the Irish

brothers. Steve, they almost won it. It was absolutely incredible. You

have to say congratulations to the French. They were put under

pressure. They are the outstanding crew. How close can I link am?

European champions and Olympic silver-medallists. I am not an

authority on Irish rowing, how strong is it? It is an important

sport within their culture, but they have lacked in success for many

years. They had then's single-A few years ago, before my time, that got

good results. They had a lightweight four in recent times knocking on the

door, but at the big events they fell short. The lightweight men's

double here, that will be very well celebrated in Ireland. We hope to

talk to the O'Donovan brothers. The next race coming up in ten minutes

is Helen and Heather. The Spanish conquest and all --

Conquistador led the journey and their path was filled with dangers.

For Francisco and his men met a fearless tribe, who chased them out

of the jungle and down the river. This was their land. Their water.

And when the chase was over, they told stories of their women. Who

attacked in perfect harmony, with a soldier's spirit.

And so the greatest of rivers was named after the Amazons. The

warriors of old. The water is theirs.

That is two women heading to the start for their moment of truth and

you can see on the end of the pontoon the two Irish guys, Gary and

Paul. They were exhausted. Their legs full of lactate. I feel for

them now, they sat down a couple of minutes and they are struggling to

stand up. There is nothing left in those legs. When you are rowing, it

looks rhythmic and it does not feel you are putting in that much effort,

but when you cross the line it hits you. Not much winding down, you come

for the interviews and it is tough to put one foot in front of the

other. While we wait for them, and I'm sure they will want to talk to

colleagues in Ireland before us, let's look ahead at Helen and

Heather, who will be at the start at the moment. In these minutes before

the race, what are you focusing on? This is the time where you have done

your preparation and the worst time is the hour before, before you get

out and get into your routine. Once you get into the hour, you go

through tactics, and 35 minutes before race time you put the hands

on the boat and that is when you are back in your domain, that is what

you have trained and practised for. You cannot practice for the hours

and days building up to this moment. You'd think they should be going

through hell now, but this is what they will be enjoying. It is held

for family and friends and supporters, we cannot do anything

about it, it is down to them. They will be happy, nervous, excited and

ready to go. Any talking? Very little. They will have a set warm up

pattern, go through exercises, bursts, get the blood flowing, a few

practice starts, and working down to this start pontoons. There may be a

comforting words from one or the other, of good luck, all we do what

we normally do and we will cross the line first. Is there and inner calm.

It is quiet at the start. There is no crowd, you are alone with your

thoughts and the other competitors. Especially here because the boating

area here for most international courses are where it is after the

finish. And you pass the crowds. That is difficult to cope with, and

then it goes into a silence. But here, it is past the grandstands.

They will be warming up in silence and there is an eerie feeling,

especially a day like today when it has been raining. It is calm, the

water, and there is a calmness. We are the ones getting nervous. They

will be coping with their nerves now. It is not like being at the

blocks in the 100 metres. There is no posturing, and you tend to be in

your own world. There is a lot of space here, especially here with two

warm up areas and different lanes you can use and you work out your

pattern as you come to the lake and get the warm up done in the right

time. Normally 30 minutes of the water before race time. The Irish

guys are hobbling past! They will come back to us in a second. You go

through the routine. You have to be on the boats and you have to be

attached and if not you get a false start. That is where it hits you. I

remember in my first Olympics in Los Angeles, sitting on the start, being

favourites to win, favourites only two months before. And I wondered,

is it going to happen today? And I thought at least I have one more

Games in me and if it does not happen today, perhaps it will happen

in four years. They will not be thinking that, they will think, it

is our time. A medal ceremony is under way on the pontoon. In half an

hour, that is where we hope to see Helen and Heather.

Your co-presenter from RTE is grinning massively. Matched only by

the rowers. I think that they will be

interviewing for a while. We will try to catch their eye to get them

after. Yes.

They have strict rules, that I have to confess, once or twice we break

them. But you are only allowed to talk to anybody for 90 seconds in

the aftermath of a race. I think that is for the heats and

the semi-finals for the athletes to get back and to have a wind down.

In the finals it is all over. I will not mention names but one of

our broadcasters drive as cart horse through that rule. The whole

regatta! They are still talking. So, getting ever and ever closer to the

off at the start. 2.5 minutes away from the off. Is now the moment,

when, do you ever think about the end, or are you thinking about the

process? You are thinking about the process. You will not think about

anything that happens after the 6.5, 7 minutes that they are racing it is

about the process. You go through the process of what you are doing.

Trying to get to that point. The point of making your way through

there. You get tonne the stage boats. Then waiting for the roll

call. The umpire goes through the call of asking if each country is

ready. Then slide forward, getting into the start position waiting for

the buzzers, then it is at mattic. Normally 10 to 15 stroke it is

hardens. From 15 you set the pace down into where you hit the minute

mark. That is where you hit the pace. That pace you try to hold

through the rest of the race. There may be pushes within that but the

main pace is what James talks about a lot. That is the most important

part and if there is energy left you lift it towards the end.

How many strokes are you into the event when you think you can relax?

That you have the rhythm? It is somewhere between the 15 strokes. So

about 30 seconds to the minute. That's the time you are looking to

get into the rhythm and the pace. If you hit it before the minute, that

is good. If it is after it is normal bad. But if you are pushing too hard

at a minute gone, you will suffer for it later in the race. You get

about ten strokes to are free, then you start to find your pace. It is.

Our sport is all about the pace now. The Irish guys have finished their

hand-shakes. Yes, here they are. Guys, come here

quickly. Many congratulations, what a fantastic performance! Cheers! How

are you doing?! We must be careful what we say in front of these lads!

How excited are you? Brilliant. One of Ireland's first championship

rowers ever. What did you this about 200m when

you realised you could win it? Last September we thought we could win

it. To come here, to give it everything we could. To win a medal.

We are delighted. And as brothers, the band of

brothers, the bond of brothers, how proud are you to be doing it with

your mate? It is fantastic. He is a sound lad! Sure we get along well

together. There are arguments at times but just fantastic to be up

there on the podium. Our parents and family and friends are with us as

well. So fantastic. Well, you will have a great day, and

a wonderful, wonderful night. Congratulations from all of us. We

have to cut it short. Down at the start are Helen Glover

and Heather Stanning looking to retain the Olympic title. Let's go

to James Cracknell and Gary Herbert. There is New Zealand in lane number

two. Spain in lane one. The first shot here of Glover and Stanning

getting themselves into the starting gates. The gates coming out of the

water. They are like a clog. A cut open

milk carton. The boughs resting there.

Held straight. You must not worry about keeping the boat straight in

the lane. Focus on making sure you steer using the markers behind them

in the lane. Alongside them, Denmark, America in

five, South Africa in lane number six.

The Olympic final. If the British pair road like they

did in the semi- they will clear out early. Riding in the heat will be

more intense for us. It could be for them as well? That

is true! I think it will hurt either way. But if they can make it less

tense, that would help! They don't say too much to each other, the

women's pair on the start, Glover and Stanning. All of the talk has

been done before they come down here. They know what they have to

do. Defending Olympic champions. Glover and Stanning. They are under

starter's orders... Fingers crossed. They are away. Good

luck Helen, good luck Heather. They are away to defend the title they

won two years ago. Rasmussen and Anderson, the crew

that pushed them hard in the opening heat are in lane four. Watch, the

opening 100 to 250-metre mark. It is where the British crew will pound.

Going out hard, strong. More for their own confidence and

self-esteem. Flying in lane three. To the left is Denmark. New Zealand

on the right. Lane five have been dropped out of it. The United

States, Mueller and Mutak. The USA, the strongest pair in the American

women's team are in lane five. The form crew of the season is

Britain, America and New Zealand. New Zealand is well out of it.

They have had twice as many races. They are paying for that.

They have had to race twice yesterday. Their chances of

challenging Heather and Helen are gone. The days, the belief that they

can be on the podium is so different now four days into the regatta

before it started. The Americans I fear will be in a battle with

Denmark. Rather than with the British. The

British look like they have taken control of the race the same way

that they have had throughout this. They are searching. Searching for

improvement. It is why they are the champions. Moving the bar, even

though they are at the top. Coming through.

A quarter of the race gone. This has been sensational.

The first 500 for Helen and Heather. They have laid the marker down. They

are not clear yet. The United States are starting to find rhythm.

The USA of Mueller and Musak in five. The next 200. That could

define this. It is whether or not Great Britain

go away. In lane five. Watch that. That is the boat. The stalkers out

there. They will hound the British. At the moment they are in their own

race. They are having to take control of

the Danes. That means that hell yawned Heather do not get away.

The Americans, a good start but closer than they were in the semis.

So through the 750. A push from Glover and Stanning. Opening up the

clear water. They have gone now. So now this is about consolidating.

Moving away. And whether or not the United States can be brave and go

with them. USA have to forget Denmark and focus

on Great Britain. They do. But the risk there with the

Danes being close is to risk silver to go after Glover and Stanning.

You have to do crazy things like that. That is how you get back. They

are dominating now. Glover and Stanning. Once you are

allowed to settle, not in terms of coming down but what they do well,

they find their rhythm. Then they are unstoppable.

Crazy is one thing... I don't think that they have the confidence to

back themselves to be that crazy. The Danes are a different crew to

the weekend. They have won the semi-. They have come back.

By almost a length of clear water, Great Britain are into the third

500. The area you vie for position in the finals.

But the position is dominating here. Great Britain, Glover and Stanning

looking back at the Olympic final. Spain in one, den New Zealand in

lane two. Denmark in four. They are in a battle themselves with the

United States of America. And South Africa in lane six are to

the right. I don't want to talk about the other

crews, this is awesome. We should be giving correct to Glover and

Stanning. This is incredibly impressive.

Long and relaxed. The boat speed assetled down. It is faster than

Denmark in second place. Closest to us, the United States of America.

Denmark, Rasmussen and Anderson in the silver medal position.

Then the United States. New Zealand the world silver-medallist from last

year, the three crews are fighting it out for silver medal and bronze

medal. In terms of how faff Glover and

Stanning are ahead, going down to the local swimming pool, they are

the length of the pool ahead of them. That is impressive.

Now we hit 1500m. The last 50 strokes in the final of the women's

pairs here. Glover and Stanning from Great Britain have dominated right

from the first stroke. They got out. Hit it hard to 500. They are

dominated in the middle of the 1,000 metres. Now they can looked back and

allow perhaps a little bit of creeping in. I hope that they are

enjoying it from here in. It is still a job. That is the high

class that they set themselves here. And the one thing that New Zealand

have paid for in the doubling up is that their legs will be tired. They

have done lots of standing starts. They are a quick pair. But I think

that they have had the sprint taken from them in the blocks, now they

are challenging the USA and Denmark for the silver medal and the bronze

medal. Well, we are watching. And Helen and

Heather are awe inspiring. Inspired by the journey. They are undefeated

in this combination as they come to 250 out. And the one crew that dared

to take them on, Rasmussen and Anderson have started to come back.

But they are still alength ahead with clear water. We have Denmark

and New Zealand fighting it out for the silver medal. That is what is

bringing them back to the British. The battle for the silver medal is

bringing them back. But this is the British now and buoy

have they worked hard over the last four years.

They are believing in themselves to the line here.

They are fearless! They are without equal.

They are history makers. Great Britons, Glover and Stanning.

Deferned of the Olympic title. Done in such style. It is carnival time

here for Great Britain. Their arms go up in the air. They have shown

the world that they are the very, very best in this event. History

makers here again! James, we have to stand and salute them.

That was a fantastic, fantastic performance! The way that they put

the race to bed very early. The New Zealanders, they may be regretting

this. They better win the eight, otherwise they will be shooting

themselves in the foot. They would have been more competitive if they

had not doubled up. Two silvers does not make one gold.

But they are happy. And rightly so. They raced well.

But they have won twice as many races than anyone in the race. If

they had not doubled up. These guys put the race to bed. A

phenomenal first 1,000 metres. They finished well.

And they have won in 2013, 2014 and 2015. World and Olympic champions.

They were not to be caught napping. They were not going to allow Denmark

to get into the race. They closed the door at the 500-metre mark to

allow them breathing space to lengthen out, to consolidate into a

rhythm that is devastating on the rest of the world.

They lived up to the expectation. They gave us a shock in the regatta

but the heats are erelevant. It is all about the Olympic finals, that,

ladies and gentlemen, is an awesome team. Robin Williams, we salute you

too. And in terms of a shock, they are

searchers. Always looking to improve. They are not settling for

what was good enough at the last race. They improve.

Four years ago the Olympic champions. They have defended that.

They will be celebrating big style in Rio!

hour, that is where we hope to see Helen and Heather.

Steve, they landed the hammer blow in the first round. The first 500,

1000 metres, they had a huge margin. They would never be beaten from

that. You could tell by the effort they put in in the first half, they

did suffer coming in the last bit, but they had to be big enough gap

that it was not going to come back, even though the Kiwis had an amazing

last 500th. They are doubling up in the eight and have to do this again

tomorrow, but they will be pleased to have a medal. The gold medal is

going to our girls. Was there any anxiety in the last 500? Not really.

I got a little twitch, but I knew they had enough, and seeing those

shots, they are not as tired in the legs as the Irish guys, so I think

they had another gear. It is difficult when your dream is to

repeat what you did four years ago. When you get a big lead, and you try

to get out there and get a big lead, you know you have won it, but you go

through the motions of it still and that is why the pressure of the

race, the Kiwis, the Americans, the Danes behind them, pushing back very

hard. They knew they had it in the bag. But it gave us a little

flutter. Has that unbeaten record maintained in real style, has it

been a burden on? I think it is a motivating factor. It becomes a

burden in the earlier rounds of regattas. It is strength of

confidence when you get into the final. You go through those nervous

situations and you are not sure how it will unfold. To think we are

unbeaten, nobody has beaten us, why should it change now? All positive

memories. I think it is why it was important for them to win that heat.

The first two were going through to the semifinals anyway, so they could

have taken their foot off the gas but they have the guts and

determination that they wanted to keep the unbeaten record going. We

spoke about Katherine Grainger four years ago being the poster figure of

the Great Britain rowing team and Helen Glover has been that this time

and she and Heather Stanning have delivered in style. Congratulations.

You landed the killer blow in the first 500, it was almost done then.

It is not done until it is done, you had to cross the line first. It was

important to get a good start and that is what we did. To be fair, I

think my first stroke was shoddy, I was slow responding. We have to say

a massive thank you to Robin Williams, our coach. He put that

together. That is him, for years of hard work. He has been ill at some

point, he has been away from home so much and he deserves to be here

talking to you guys. Without Robin we would be nobody.

Robin is an incredible athlete. He was a lightweight. An outstanding

coach, what he has done with these girls, it is incredible. In the

aftermath of that triumph, can you compare it to four years ago? It

means so much more. We have had a lot of pressure on ourselves, as

much as we have tried to talk it down. I have been emotional this

week and that is not me. London was a home games and there is nothing

more special, but this is defending a title. We have managed to be good

every race in the last four years. It means so much. The pressure we

put on ourselves was immense. Every time we have spoken to you, we have

said, it is cool, no pressure, but... Can I take you back to the

heat. Were you as calm as the interviews you gave afterwards? Was

there a scare? With hindsight we thought well, there was a crosswind.

If we believed it was fair we would probably have been stressed, but in

the back of our minds, it was OK, it was a heat and there was wind and we

knew better than that. Very quickly. You say about defending a title,

what about defending defending a title? You never know. We have our

families, we have to say thank you to family and friends. And you have

to get married! We will talk about it later.

Congratulations, brilliant, Olympic champions, Helen Glover and Heather

Stanning. Fantastic. In purely rowing terms, Steve, interesting but

Heather instantly said it was a greater achievement than London. It

was not a shock in London, they were going well. But they were off the

radar with nobody else in the rowing world thinking of one outstanding

women's pair that would be there. And it is tough, doing it week in,

week out, going through that process is very tough. But motivating to

this point. I spoke to them a couple of weeks ago and said it will be

different, because you were under the radar for years ago. Coming into

the Games now, it is tough. Your emotions will run wild and Heather

said she has struggled with her emotions here, and it is a different

pressure, because it is the moment you have been waiting for for four

years. That has given us a massive spike up the medal table. Winning

the first gold medal of the day. You can see we are up to fourth with

five gold medals, six silver medals and six bronze. Just Japan, China

and the USA ahead of us. Do not mention whether Germans are. The

Germans are ahead of us in the rowing table but we can equal them

all go past them in a few minutes. Tomorrow, to mark your card for the

final day of the regatta, which ends with the men's eight, a titanic duel

between Great Britain and Germany over the past years. And Allah

colleagues from German TV next door keeps saying, just you wait for

tomorrow. That could be a fantastic climax to the event -- and our

colleagues. It will be an amazing race and the way it is panning out,

it could be Britain has two gold medals from the rowing and Germany

gets two, not ruling out the Dutch, whose performance has not been good

here. I think it is down to the Brits and the Germans to win that

and whoever wins that will be top of the rowing medals table. Now,

seasoned campaigners, Alex Gregory has been there and done it in

London, is he the steadying influence. I think so, not just

because he has done it before, that is his character. He is a calm

character. That surrounds the people around him. Mo is powerful and

determined and is motivating within the boat. George is a racer, he

loves being out there racing. And Constantine Louloudis, he is an

outstanding athlete. He is not the biggest or strongest in the world,

but what he produces is incredible. Is this a similar tactic in this

race that Heather and Helen have done, to blast it in the first 1000

and leave no one in doubt who is the boss? The Australian four good so I

do not think it is as tall as that. If they try to blast away and put

too much effort into it, they will pay later. You have to get into your

pace and rhythm. It is not about that. If they do anything different,

the outcome may be different, so stick to what you know and your

routines. The earlier they get out in front, the earlier they take the

lead, then they will know the Australians will not come back at

them. Look for our guys getting out in front and when they do I would be

surprised anyone gets past them. We saw the French victorious in the

lightweight double sculls and fantastic pictures of Gary and Paul

O'Donovan from Ireland. A phenomenal achievement. Their first medal. A

good tactical move would be to find out where they are this evening.

Here we go, we did it in Sydney, Athens, Beijing and London, can it

be five in a row in the men's coxless four?

James Irving Garry Herbert. Italy sitting calmly in the last minute.

They will be in lane number one, the world champions, out there in lane

one. Outside them, South Africa, Jake Green responsible in stroking

the crew out. Calmly sitting. Great Britain, Gregory, Sbihi, Nash and

Louloudis in the stroke seat. Last-minute check. Alongside them

Australia are in four. The noise coming from the outside, the

Italians. Canada in five. Will Crothers and Colin McCabe were

silver-medallist in the eight four years ago. Six boats as it stands

right now, a personal grudge between Great Britain and particularly

between Australia, and looking to turn it around. Second to the

British at Lucerne earlier this year. My feeling is that it will be

Great Britain's day, but the Australians are looking to spoil the

party, James? I saw Yergin, the coach. He was nervous. --

Jurgen and he was nervous. Poise, ready, the green light, using onto

the second, onto the third. A sharp start from the British but look at

the Italians, they are up and gone and north of 40 strokes per minute.

Italy in one, South Africa in two the defending Olympic champions

unbeaten throughout 2016. Gregory, Sbihi, Nash and Louloudis. Australia

in four, Canada in five and Netherlands in six and it looks like

the British are getting their bow out. Jurgen would say, do not make

the race faster than it needs to be. If our boys can be ahead of

Australia by a third, half a length at 500, we will distance them. If

Australia get the lead on us they will believe they can do something

special but if we could shut that door, which I think we are doing, we

can see another epic performance from our boys. We do not want a

dogfight between us and Australia but we also do not want to go out

too hard. They should back themselves. They looked the better

of the two crews. Led by Louloudis in the stroke seat. Sbihi takes them

through in two and Alex Gregory in the bows. They have not moved up as

much as we would expect at the 500-metre mark. William Lockwood in

the bow seat of the Australia boat. Australia into the second 500. In

the heats, Australia have been half a length up by the British crew and

in the semifinals Britain half a length up on the Australian crew, so

it is difficult to read the race. The Australians did not want to be

distanced by the British in the first 500. As we saw at Lucerne when

the British rowed the Australians, they need that in the last 500

metres. They can overhaul anyone. Will Lockwood, 28 years. In the bow.

Such a difference of experience. Two of the Aussies coming back from 2012

where they were silver-medallist behind Great Britain. In this 200 50

metres here, laid four, Australia, moving the better. And they are

striking lower. The British are at 38 per minute, Australia 37, but

they want to make sure that each stroke is efficient -- lane four.

South Africa leading the best of the rest. Australia are moving quicker

at the moment. They need to have, to have any chance against our boys,

they need a significant gap. Because of the dominant belief power we have

will overhaul the Australians. They need to get themselves a margin of

victory to have something to hold onto in the last 500 and they are

not doing that at the moment. The British crew doing the first big

push away from the first 1,000 metres. This is where they rely on

the training, the weight. And this are relaxed.

They are not flicking to the left with the heads. They are focussed on

what they are doing. They are not looking at the Australians. They are

nailing the rhythm. Yes, they are up to 38 stroke as minute but it is

powerful. And with a shot of the Australians,

the eyes are glancing to the right. They know that they don't want to be

in the position 500 metres left, they will have no chance.

So the team of Great Britain move down.

They are making the calls as they come to the last quarter of the

men's four. So Alex Gregory calling it big style. They start to move

again. They have a half on it. They need a little more. Hill Booth,

Dunkley Smith in the other crew. Looking to spoil it.

This is important. This is what they trained for. This is the 500 metres

of pain. They will enjoy this. This is where they are going to bury

themselves and enjoy it. Every little bit they are making it hurt

themselves, they are passing the pain on to the Australians. That is

what I would be enjoying, taking it on to the Australians now. The more

that they make their legs hurt, the more that they make their legs

crumble. And we are now 25 strokes from the

line. From the very last time in the Olympic final. Australia, Hill

Booth, Lockwood, Smith. They are throwing everything at it.

And city focussed on the crew. Incredible discipline and power.

That is what you need to win a race. Back to three-quarters. 100 out of

it. They have done enough now. They can allow themselves to think that

they have done enough to push it. It will be five in a row for Great

Britain. It is Alex Gregory getting his second one. They are coming up

here. The British are under pressure at the halfway mark. They have

responded. They are the Olympic champions. They have done it in

style again. But that is what we expected. Hats off to the British.

And for leading them Alex. On the day it was always about Great

Britain. That is the most impressive of the

five. It was never in doubt any way down. They dominated. Confident. Not

looking at the boat. Salute credit to the way that they have trained

and prepared for this. Every mile has come into that.

Erstroke on the rowing machine. All the weight, all of the cross

training. The long training camps away. And full credit to Australia

who came right at them at the 1,000 metre mark. The Italians, the world

champions. Well, there were only other two

boats in this, Australia and Great Britain on the line it wall all

about one. A phenomenal performance by

Constantine Louloudis in the stroke seat again.

All four of them. All four of them. He sets the rhythm. Then George

Nash. Mo putting down the power and Alex overseeing it. It is why they

train so many ours and so many miles so that you don't have to think

about it when you are racing. And they can all row the rhythm in the

sleep. They have a good feel of the boat.

Yes, the Australians raced well and put them under pressure but look,

every shot they were focussed on what they were doing. They knew if

they did what they should do they would win. They didn't need to look

at the Australians. They knew that their best was good enough.

As they go over the line. The religious, the Olympic

champions. It is five in a row for Great Britain in this event.

And Alex Gregory getting his second. And watch them. They have won every

race this season. And that is the difference between a

World Championships or a World Cup or the European Championships and

the Olympics. This is all about this race.

They will have had this day marked in the calendar. So to deliver on

the one day when you have to. It is the Olympic special but also a

special day in the rowing calendar. And Australia's top boat. They

hadder marked the boat to get a revenge on the British but failed.

So Great Britain coming into the podium. Medals, celebrations.

Confirmation, there, Great Britain, Australia and Italy. But the

Italians were well out of it. It was all about five in a row and the

British have delivered. And, Steve, humanly impressive. From

what James was saying, just utterly blinkered and focussed. Not

deviating from the game plan. All about the game plan. All credit

to the Australians. The race you would not want to be in. You wanted

to get away to make it easy. But looking back. Looking at Mo there.

He is down on his knees, brilliant to see.

And the Australians, how they row. They pushed to the limit. They asked

the questions and they had all of the answers. The Australians closing

in on the second 500 as I thought that they may do. We kept in front

through the 1,000 metre mark. How hard they train, the preparation is

it all about the 500. When it is hurting the most. The pain is

killing. You are gasping for air. The legs throbbing. You have to dig

deeper than anyone else and move away from the Australians. They were

never to come back from that in my eyes. But credit to the Australians

for all that they did. But hats off to the Brits. Absolutely incredible

performance. Alex Gregory got out of the boat as

though he had barely been out on the water?! Extraordinary! He is limping

a little bit. But as they crossed the line, the three in front were

hands in the air. He will be buzzing inside.

But the character, the coolness that he is. Going to the other

opposition, shaking their hands. That is what the sport is all about.

Certainly the sport of rowing. It is about the pain, the element that

they go through. Well, Constantine Louloudis, the one

member of the quartet who is still finding it hard to get to his feet.

The fact he is the last man up at that moment. It has taken him 90

seconds or so. He has to get himself upright. The

first couple of guys are in front of us.

There they are now going over to congratulate each other.

The Italians celebrating with their bronze medal. But obviously, it is

bronze to Italy, silver to Australia but gold to Great Britain. It is a

second Gold Medal to Great Britain as well.

Just taking place a bit further along in front of the grandstands is

the Gold Medal ceremony for Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

We will have to mix and match with one Gold Medal quartet and obviously

Heather and Helen. Let's go to Gary to describe this great moment for

the British athletes. So wonderful pictures here, then.

Away from the finish line with the girls composing themselves here.

Look at that. Bronze-medallists, look at that. This is how important

bronze medals are. Rasmussen irson. Don't you just love the

music? I love this music, James. It gets you into carnival mode.

Well, I think we will hear a better bit of music in a moment, to be

honest. So, Rasmussen and Anderson pushed

hard in the open. Gave a little scare here. Everybody talking around

the lake. They showed everything that they

could but maybe not the experience to step it up in the Olympic final.

What's that other thing they are given? Who knows.

It looks like something that they are selling down at Copacabana! So,

New Zealand getting the silver medal. They are going to have to

race again tomorrow in the women's eight.

They raced well today. I think that they suffered a bit

from having done a fair bit of racing in the first few hundred

metres. But the rhythm and the tough in thes that they developed over the

week and the last fewer years has shown.

Mike Williams, the Treasurer, handing out the medals, the

trophies. COMMENTATOR: gold-medallists and

Olympic champions, representing Great Britain! Brilliant. Brilliant.

COMMENTATOR: Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

A phenomenal combination. Teemwork. They are great friends. Great

team-mates. They back each other up and rightly so. They deserve it.

Four years of the most amazing performances.

Capped off here at the Lagoa Stadium. That is what it means. Two

times Olympic champions, Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

A real inspiration, James. Yes.

It's the hard work they've done. To have that pressure. And they have

been that consistent. European Championships unbeaten, World

Championships, world recordholder and to round it off in the Olympic

finals, fantastic. MUSIC:

National Anthem. Great Britain. Olympic champions in

the women's pairs. Well, it has been a sensational 20

minutes here at Lagoa for Great Britain and the rowing teams. Two

Gold Medals, back-to-back races. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.

And the men's four. Winning a fifth consecutive Gold

Medal in this event for Great Britain against fundamentally, the

Australians. The first 500 metres, Great Britain in full control. 1,000

metres, nip and tuck a bit. But at the end, especially the last 500, no

doubt who was going to be victorious. And a few moments ago

while the medal ceremony was going on, three of them came up to talk

with us. George, many congratulations.

Did you execute the perfect race plan there? Yeah, John. I would say

that was spot on. We had a good hand there.

The three of these guys, the strongest rowers out there. We

played a full hand today. We got away with it and came away

with the win. An epic, epic row. We knew we had to go off hard to

counter the Australians. They kept challenging but we kept answering.

Coming up with the goods. That is what we trained for. That is what

the man tells us to do every time. Jurgen, five in a row, how fantastic

is that? OK, you do not count the one in the

past, you always look to the next one, but really good. You had a plan

and they executed it exactly. Absolutely to the T. Fantastic. The

powerhouse in the middle, when the Australians were nip and tuck, did

you have any doubt? In the last race they challenged us around the 900

mark and we knew it was coming but like George said, we had a plan and

we knew we could step on and we did and I called it and the guys

responded. It is a fantastic room. -- crew. We executed our plan. And

this is the wise owl on the end. Gold medal number two. Can you

compare it to four years ago? I did not know what was happening four

years ago, but this one, I knew what was coming. Sitting on the starting

line was horrible. This morning, the rain, coming out to the start line,

it was tortuous. We just nailed that. It was our perfect race. We

did it at the right time on the right day and these boys, I mean,

good lads. Is Stan not fit enough? He puts it in on the big day in a

big way. He is a phenomenal bloke. The Cambridge boys were holding

back? ! Listen, we have to let you go because we have the medal

ceremony and many want to talk to you. Congratulations. We have loved

seeing you in action this year and when the moment came, you delivered.

Thanks for the support from the GB support staff, friends and family,

national lottery, everyone. We have an epic team behind us and we cannot

thank them enough. You are an epic team. Well done. Stan is all right

and heading to the medal ceremony and hopefully we will talk to the

fourth member of the quartet after the ceremony. James Cracknell boldly

said as they crossed the line it was the most impressive of all the five

gold medals that Jurgen has overseen. Would you go along with

that? I would. You have to be better than the year before and you have to

be better than the five years before. If you stay at the same

level you will stay in the same position. If we stood side-by-side

with them like that, we would struggle to get into a final. That

is how the sport moves on the year-on-year. They are better

athletes, they are trained better, they row better. And they made their

boat go faster. When you say they row better, what you mean? The

movement of bodies, the size of athletes, every aspect of the

training and preparation is honed into getting that performance out.

When you are involved in that setup, you think you are the best in the

world at that point. We were the best in the world when we win match

row in Sydney but the fact is that is not good enough to do it again.

It was great to chat to Jurgen at the moment of triumph. He is

invariably in the background and does not take the credit. Pay your

tribute to him and what he has done. Absolutely an incredible guy. The

effort and time he has put in, coming from former East Germany and

questions over whether he could do it in a western society, not an

Eastern society, and he stepped up to the mark and brought his

expertise through and he steps up again and again. Performances, from

his point, the dedication and time and amount of thought he puts into

it. He is probably not the best technical coach, but he is the

trainer and gets the best out of his crews every time at the right time.

The question that must be asked, will he want to go for a six? When

he first came over it was the Leander club that employed him

before he went to the national Leander club that employed him

and he said he wanted to go to three more Olympics and then go into

sports administration. He has not done that and rumour has it he wants

to carry on. He knows he will have to and over the mantle so he will

look for someone to take over in the next years but it would be stupid to

get rid of the team we have now. Our team, one of the presentation party.

James and Garry Herbert, we thought that this moment would come and it

duly has. It has and the build-up for the

final was about the showdown between Great Britain and Australia, but as

they said in the interview just then, it was all about the perfect

race. You would back Jurgen every time to get his crews on the day it

counts to execute perfectly. James, your thoughts, we watch. Going back

to Jurgen. We knew we would be in the best shape of the four years on

the day we had to be. That was his job done. Our job was to go out and

deliver it. What he has done is involved the trading so these guys'

best shape is better than four, eight years ago, 12 years ago, 16

years ago. You will never win an Olympics final by a mile, but they

never gave the Australians a sniff. That is the best way to do it. They

will have enjoyed that race. As much as it hurt them, it would have hurt

the others more. Italy, the world champions last year, could not even

live with this speed. The Italians were racing well, getting the best

out of themselves, but look at them on the podium, they are not a

physical match for the British boys and the British boys row well, as

well. It is not as if you are relying on brute force. They row

well, you can see it when they are racing, there is no looking around,

what do we do? They keep focused and that is the result. Italy getting

the bronze medal. James, the Australians. A mixture of

psychological approach. A couple of these guys still very strong in the

boat. On the day, it was all about Great Britain from a psychological

point of view. What they do, there are some who can match the British

guys. They are incredible athletes. I spoke to someone from the

Australian four from four years ago. They train at a higher intensity

that four years ago, but the event has moved on. My question to them

would be, did you take a risk, try to row your best and rely on that