Rio 2016: Great Britain claim fifth straight men's four rowing gold

Alex Gregory, George Nash, Mohamed Sbihi and Constantine Louloudis crossed the line first for Team GB

Great Britain's men's four saw off the challenge of Australia and South Africa (Getty)

The gold rush has started. After a slow first week at the Olympic Games the British bankers on water and wheels are bringing back the bullion.

Following the first gold in the velodrome by the men’s sprint team on Thursday our rowers continued their remarkable contribution to Britain’s magnificent Olympic story.

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning in the women’s pair and Alex Gregory, George Nash, Constantine Louloudis and i columnist Mohamed Sbihi in the men’s four overpowered the opposition, turning the picturesque Estadio da Lagoa beneath Christ the Redeemer into a golden pond.

The victory for Glover and Stanning, who made history as the first female rowers to win double gold after their success in London, was particularly poignant since their preparation was disrupted by coach Robin Williams’ life-threatening battle with cancer.

Williams was diagnosed in December 2013 with cancer of the bladder but recovered to resume his responsibilities and guide the pair to golden glory yesterday.

“It was quite a difficult time,” Williams said. “I had a big operation and they were a big big part of my fightback to be honest. I felt there was a lot still to achieve with them. It’s not that I lacked drive to get better but they were an extra motivation and fantastic that year.

“We have got to Rio 2016 and won. It feels like we have written the last chapter of the book with the best ending possible for all of us. Whatever happens next we can hold this moment as a nugget and be proud of it forever.”

The women’s pair delivered Britain’s first gold in London and are unbeaten in 39 events together, quite the wedding gift for Glover, who marries TV adventurer Steve Backshall next month. “Heather mentioned that to me when we got out of the boat. And I went, ‘oh my god, I’ve got so much to do’.

I haven’t done a thing. I’ve left it all to my mum,” she said.

The men’s four continued a winning tradition that stretches back to the Sydney Olympics 16 years ago when Sir Steve Redgrave won alongside James Cracknell Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster.

Like the women they made it look easy, leading from gun to tape. Louloudis, affectionately known as Stan by the crew, much to the chagrin of his mother, Madeleine, a lady in waiting to the Princess Royal could barely stand on resuming dry land.

“That was our best row ever, definitely our best race, Louloudis said.