TOM Ransley helped Team GB’s men’s eight win their first Olympic gold for 16 years to bring the rowing events at Rio 2016 to a close in style at the Lagoa on Saturday.
Having just watched the Team GB women’s eight win a historic first Olympic medal, the men powered home in 5:29.63 minutes to repeat their result from Sydney 2000 and claim a fourth medal from the last five Games.
European and defending Olympic champions Germany were the Brits’ closest rivals on the day but trailed throughout and ultimately finished second best in 5:30.96.
Along with former York City Rowing Club ace Ransley, the men's team consisted of Scott Durant, Andrew T Hodge, Matt Gotrel, Pete Reed, Paul Bennett, Matt Langridge, Will Satch and cox Phelan Hill.
Victory brought third consecutive Olympic gold medals for Reed and Hodge, who won gold in the coxless four at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Langridge completed his collection of Olympic men’s eight medals, having won silver in 2008 and bronze in London four years ago.
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