Jessica Ennis hopes first gold medal can inspire Team GB

Jessica Ennis believes today's first gold medal for Great Britain can inspire the team to further success.

Rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning claimed victory in the women's pair to start up the host nation's gold tally on the fifth day of competition.

Ennis, for many the face of the Olympic Games for the hosts, will be expected to add to it in the heptathlon on Saturday as she enters as the hot favourite.

"I think it's great to win the first gold medal," said the Sheffield athlete, speaking minutes after the success.

"Now we've got it, hopefully it will inspire the rest of the team to keep pushing on and take more gold medals which we can definitely do.

"I really enjoyed watching Lizzie Armitstead (who won silver in the women's road race to become Britain's first medal winner at the Games).

"It was an amazing race and seeing her interviewed at the end you saw how happy she was with her silver medal."

Dai Greene, the world 400 metres hurdles champion and captain of the British athletics team, added of the rowing gold medal: "It's fantastic to get one (gold) in early.

"We all see the images, we see the people achieving things and celebrating with the flag.

"It creates a positive atmosphere in the camp."

PA