Helen Glover and Heather Stanning defend Olympic title and claim gold for Team GB with storming win in Rio

• Great Britain have won their fifth gold medal of the Olympic Games 
• Helen Glover and Heather Stanning were victorious in women's pair 
• The two were defending the title they won for Team GB at London 2012
• New Zealand claimed silver with Denmark coming home third for bronze 

By MIKE DICKSON FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 15:14, 12 August 2016 | UPDATED: 22:34, 12 August 2016

According to Helen Glover, every stroke she and Heather Stanning took on Friday en route to Olympic glory — all 220 of them — was down to their coach Robin Williams.

Eighteen months after their triumph in the women’s pair at London 2012, Williams was struck down with bladder cancer and his battle against it has been the inspiration for them ever since.

‘He had a bad illness and you would never have known it,’ said a grateful Glover. ‘He was up for coaching when he should have been in bed. He was still there for us, we couldn’t have done it without him.’ 

Helen Glover, left, and Heather Stanning have won gold for Team GB at the Olympic Games

The British rowers were taking part in the women's pair event at the Games in Rio

The pair celebrate on the waterfront after claiming their second Olympic gold

Glover and Stanning embrace in front of the Olympic rings following the race

WOMEN'S PAIR PODIUM 

1: Great Britain (7:18.29)

2: New Zealand (7:19.53

3: Denmark (7:20.71) 

Glover, from deepest Cornwall, and Major Heather Stanning of the Royal Artillery, had earlier completed an imperious victory to become the first British female rowers to successfully defend a gold medal.

Watching on was the self-effacing Williams who, according to his two rowers, would be acutely embarrassed by the praise they insisted on heaping upon him. For his part, he feels he owes them too.

‘I had cancer two years ago and that was a difficult time, they were a big part of my fightback,’ he said. ‘I felt there was still a lot to achieve with them. I didn’t lack drive to get better but it was an extra incentive.

‘I was in hospital and I was walking around the ward — 20 feet, 30 feet, 50 feet at a time when they were saying a few steps is enough. That’s how it starts off and I now go running and biking

‘They were fantastic that year and now that we have got to Rio 2016 and won I feel we have completely 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 in our memories and be proud and thrilled forever.’

Women’s pair Stanning and Glover are unbeaten in 39 races going back five years, one of the most dominant boats in the whole sport, along with their male counterparts in the same class, New Zealanders Hamish Bond and Eric Murray.

Aged 31 and 30 respectively, neither woman would rule out the prospect of continuing on to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo but will give priority to other areas of their life for the next year. 

Glover and Stanning were defending the title they won for Britain at London 2012

The Brits recorded a time of 7:18.29 to complete a memorable victory at the Lagoa Stadium

They saw off competition from Denmark and New Zealand to take the gold

CAN EIGHTS GRAB TWO MORE MEDALS FOR GB? 

We could yet see two more podium finishes for our rowers. 

Both the women’s (3.06pm) and men’s (3.27pm) eight race in their respective finals on Saturday. 

But Britain will not beat their incredible tally of nine medals from London, even if they win both. We currently sit on three medals (two gold, one silver). 

A tally of five would beat the 2000 and 2004 vintage though, where Britain won three and four medals. In 2008 we won six.

In Glover’s case it is somewhat urgent as she gets married early next month to TV naturalist Steve Backshall in her native Cornwall, and she admitted she had done nothing to prepare for the big day yet.

Stanning will be her maid of honour and also needs to get on with organising the hen party, details of which she was reluctant to divulge.

Having been recently promoted from Captain to Major she will be off to Staff College at some point. But it will not be like the aftermath of London 2012, when she went off to do a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan at Camp Bastion.

She confessed to have been, uncharacteristically, ‘an emotional wreck’ this week but on the water they looked as serene as a pair of swans.

They were a huge four seconds up at the 1,500-metre mark and were much too far ahead for the late surge from New Zealand to bother them. Glover said that she was so relaxed after three minutes of the race that she was able to take it all in. 

The gold medal is Great Britain's fifth of the Olympic Games in Rio so far

The pair join an elite list of British women to have won two Olympic gold medals

Glover and Stanning parade the Union Jack after securing GB's fifth gold of the Games

1,808 

Days unbeaten for Stanning and Glover, so far. They last lost as a duo in the 2011 World Championships to NZ.

‘I definitely wasn’t racing as if this was my last race,’ said Glover. ‘We enjoy it, we love it, it’s a privilege to do this thing and it would be a big thing to walk away from it.’

Her only certainty about the future is that there will be free ice cream at her wedding, from the celebrated shop her parents run in Newlyn.

The regatta is due to conclude on Saturday with GB’s men’s and women’s Eights both racing in the final, trying to up the squad’s medal tally to five.

Northern Ireland’s Alan Campbell, a bronze medallist from London, was eliminated from Friday’s semi-final in the single sculls.

Both of the big boats are tipped for podium finishes on Saturday, with the men expected to fight it out for gold against Germany and Holland.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-3736213/Helen-Glover-Heather-Stanning-defend-Olympic-title-claim-gold-Team-GB.html#ixzz4H9zXjDPa
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127 Olympians led by Sir Wiggo scoop New Year honours

Gongs galore: 127 Olympians led by Sir Wiggo scoop New Year honours - but there's no Sir Mo Farah or Dame Jess Ennis

• Olympic athletes,coaches and organisers comprise 10% of honours list
• UK's first Tour de France winner Wiggins to be given knighthood
• Paralympic cycling champion Sarah Storey is to be made a dame
• Four-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie also to be knighted
• CBEs for Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, David Weir and Victoria Pendleton
• Wiggins describes his 'disbelief' and says it is 'an incredible honour'

By EMILY ANDREWS

PUBLISHED: 00:00, 29 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:21, 29 December 2012

Arise Sir Wiggo: Bradley Wiggins, Britain's first Tour de France champion, has been given a knighthood in the New Year's honours list

Britain's Olympic heroes have been rewarded for  their success with a record number of gongs in the New Year honours list.

The athletes, coaches and organisers who brought delight to the nation this summer dominate the list like no other group before them.

A staggering 127 awards have been handed out to those involved – more than 10 per cent of the total. The figure is unprecedented in the 122-year history of the list.

Among the 78 athletes and coaches honoured were cyclist Bradley Wiggins and sailor Ben Ainslie, who both received knighthoods.

Sir Bradley, as he will be known, made sporting history this year by becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France, and followed the feat by scooping an Olympic gold, as well as being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. 

He heads a sparkling list of sporting heroes, including Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey, who was made a dame, and Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton, Mo Farah and David Weir, who all received CBEs.

Wiggins, affectionately known as Wiggo, said: ‘It’s quite something really. I never imagined that I would ever become a knight, so it’s an incredible honour, but there’s a slight element of disbelief, and it will take a while  to sink in. There was never any doubt whether I’d accept it or not, it was more a case that I never saw myself as a Sir, and I probably never will.’ 

The honours crown a year of excellence in British sport – so much so that a special honours list was added to recognise the 65 medals, 29 of them gold, won at this year’s Olympic Games, as well as the 120 medals – including 34 golds – won at the Paralympic Games.

There was also recognition for those behind the Games. Lord Coe, who headed London’s bid team, becomes a Companion of Honour, while Jean Tomlin, who led the Games Maker programme for volunteers to help the event run smoothly, gets an OBE.

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Knight of the road: Wiggins followed his Tour de France triumph with an Olympic gold and was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year

King Cool: Bradley Wiggins, pictured right in Manchester on Thursday night, said: 'It’s quite something really. I never imagined that I would ever become a knight'

But eyebrows were raised that Mo Farah received only a CBE for his historic double track triumph in the 5000m and 10000m. In 2005, Kelly Holmes was made a dame for winning both the 400m and 800m at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Heptathlete gold medallist and London 2012 poster girl  Jessica Ennis will also have to be content with a CBE. 

Andy Murray, who won Olympic tennis gold before becoming Britain’s first men’s Grand Slam champion for 76 years, can perhaps count himself unlucky to receive just an OBE.

It was also noted that while Sarah Storey was made a dame after her four golds at 2012, her Paralympic teammate, wheelchair athlete David Weir, who also got four golds, was made merely a CBE.

There was no mention of Danny Boyle, creator of the epic Olympics opening ceremony, who reportedly turned down a knighthood, or Stephen Daldry, who staged the closing party.

VIDEO Sir Bradley will take some getting used to 

Play Video

Champion: Ben Ainslie, who won four successive Olympic sailing golds, has received a knighthood in the list

Supreme: Sarah Storey is the UK's most successful ever Paralympian and is to be made a dame

There was also nothing for cyclist Chris Hoy, who with six gold medals became Britain’s most successful ever Olympian during the Games, because he had already been knighted after his heroics at the previous Olympics in Beijing.

In 2008, when Britain came fourth in the Olympics’ medal table at Beijing, 54 honours were awarded in the New Year honours list.

Storey, 35, who now has 11 Paralympic gold medals in total and is pregnant with her first child, said: ‘I can’t believe the number of times we’ve said this year, “Oh, can 2012 possibly get any better?” We feel so fortunate that 2012 will always stand out as being the most incredible year.

‘2012 has been quite amazing. I am still pinching myself, literally.’ 

Nation's favourite: Jessica Ennis, who was the face of the Olympics for home fans, received CBEs after her heptathlon triumph in London

Inspiring: Jessica Ennis was the London 2012 poster girl and finished closely behind Bradley Wiggins in the running to be BBC Sports Personality of the Year

Besides Wiggins and Ainslie, the most decorated sailor in Olympic history with four gold medals at four consecutive Games, knighthoods also go to Dave Brailsford and David Tanner, performance directors at British Cycling and British Rowing.

Ainslie said: ‘This is an incredible honour. When I set out Olympic sailing 20 years ago, I never would have dreamt this would happen.’ 

CBEs also went to rower Katherine Grainger and cyclist Victoria Pendleton.

Lady in red: Jessica Ennis attends the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in London

OBEs go to equestrians Sophie Christiansen and Charlotte Dujardin, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and cycling couple Laura Trott and Jason Kenny.

Among those to get MBEs are boxer Nicola Adams; canoeist Timothy Baillie; equestrians Laura Bechtolsheimer and Carl Hester; rowers Katherine Copeland and Helen Glover; wheelchair racer ‘Hurricane’ Hannah Cockcroft; and Paralympic swimmer Josef Craig.

Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee gets an MBE but brother Jonathan, who took bronze, misses out, while the MBE also goes to Welsh taekwondo gold medallist Jade Jones, Paralympic blade runner Jonnie Peacock, long jump hero Greg Rutherford and silver medal gymnast turned Strictly Come Dancing star Louis Smith.

‘To receive this honour is out of this world and something I never would have dreamt of as I grew up in the sport of gymnastics,’ said Smith, 23.

‘This year has been like no other for so many reasons.

‘For me it’s obviously one I’ll never forget and I wasn’t sure it could get any better, but to be awarded an MBE is the icing on the cake and without a doubt the proudest moment of my life.

‘I just hope this acts as even more inspiration for future generations within sport in this country, further continuing the Olympic legacy.’ 

Swimmer Simmonds, 18, who won two more golds at London 2012 making her a four-time Paralympic champion, said: ‘It’s been a great honour to be included in the list which caps an amazing year for me personally and for British sport.’ 

VIDEO Rowing hero Helen Glover MBE 'an incredible privilege' 

Play Video

The honours also recognise those who contributed to London 2012 in a ‘non-sporting capacity’, with 49 ‘back-room’ staff from Paul Deighton, who was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, down to a MBE for volunteer Muhammed Khan.

Away from sport, the Companion of Honour goes to Professor Peter Higgs, namesake of the Higgs boson or so-called ‘God particle’, which was finally proved to exist in July, 48 years after he first proposed it.

No Sir Mo: Mo Farah's gold medal-winning triumphs provided fans with two of the London Olympics greatest moments

Lightning: Mo Farah missed out on a knighthood but has been awarded a CBE

Recognition: Cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who appeared on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, has been awarded a CBE

Recognised with an MBE in the Diplomatic and Overseas list was also Captain Raymond ‘Jerry’ Roberts, 92, one of the four founder members of Bletchley Park’s Testery section, tasked with breaking the German top-level code during the Second World War.

An MBE also goes to Penelope Clough, 53, who set up the Justice For Jane Campaign with husband John after her daughter was murdered by her ex-partner in 2010 while he was on bail.

Sport makes up about 10 per cent of this year’s awards, education 10 per cent, health 7 per cent, and industry and the economy make up 12 per cent.

A Cabinet Office spokesman said an unprecedented number of people from the sporting world had received honours.

He said: ‘As we’ve seen with the special list for Olympians and Paralympians, there is a desire to continue to expand the honours system and make sure we’re extending the reach.’ 

Northern star: Tennis champion Andy Murray enjoyed his most successful ever year as a tennis player winning both Olympic gold and the U.S. Open

Golden girl: Swimmer Ellie Simmonds has been awarded an OBE, making the list despite being only 18-years-old

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254424/New-Year-honours-list-127-Olympians-led-Bradley-Wiggins.html#ixzz2GR3Ki85v
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Victoria Pendleton is the picture of elegance at British Olympic Ball + Gold Carpet photos

10 points! Former Strictly contestant Victoria Pendleton is the picture of elegance at British Olympic Ball

By FEHINTOLA BETIKU

PUBLISHED: 01:55, 1 December 2012 | UPDATED: 13:33, 1 December 2012

Last week she lost out on her chance of being crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2012.

But not allowing her ballroom disappointment to affect her style credentials, Victoria Pendleton stunned on Friday evening at the British Olympic Ball in London.

The 32-year-old champion stunned in a floor length gown as she stood on the glittering gold carpet at The Grosvenor House Hotel.

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Top of the leader board! Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Victoria Pendleton wowed on Friday evening at the British Olympic Ball which was held at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London

Simple and sleek: Victoria opted to keep her make-up simple and wore her hair back in a classic bun

Victoria wore her brunette hair back in a classic bun while posing for photographers as the soiree.

Teaming her black one shoulder dress with a small clutch bag, Pendleton accessorised with a pair of small black earrings, a thick bracelet and thin gold necklace.

Finishing her look, the retired track cyclist opted to keep her make-up simple and proved to be the definition of an English rose.

English rose... The 32-year-old accessorised with small black earrings, a thick bracelet and thin gold necklace

Another stunning showing: Host for the evening Christine Bleakley wowed in a blue Drisana lace gown by Erdem teamed with black open toe heels by Jimmy Choo

Beautiful: Bleakley kept her make-up light as she wore her brunette locks in a chic updo

Matching Victoria's graceful showing, host for the evening Christine Bleakley wowed in a blue Drisana lace gown by Erdem.

Styled by Angie Smith, Bleakley kept her make-up light as she wore her hair in a chic updo.

A pair of open toe Jimmy Choo heels and a black clutch completed the 33-year-old presenter's ensemble as she flashed her pearly whites.

Standing out: Denise Lewis dazzled in a white jewel encrusted dress which braved a feather hemline

Doting couple: Denise beamed as she posed for a picture with her husband Steve Finan

Legendary: Sir Steve Redgrave attended the ball alongside his wife Ann Redgrave

Same colour, different dresses: Bronze medallist Rebecca Adlington (L) and skeleton racer Amy Williams

Brightening up the evening: Gymnast Beth Tweddle wore a cut out red gown complete with gold leaves

Also in attendance: British ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean

Standing out from the crowd Denise Lewis dazzled in a white jewel encrusted dress which braved a feather hemline.

While bronze medallist Rebecca Adlington and former skeleton racer Amy Williams both opted to smoulder in purple.

Brightening up the ball, gymnast Beth Tweddle sported a red cut out gown which was beautified with gold leaves.

Gorgeous: Past and present Olympic stunners Lizzie Armitstead (L), Helen Glover and Ashleigh Ball (R)

The name's Daley, Tom Daley: The 18-year-old diver looked suave in a tuxedo

All black everything: Super-heavyweight Anthony Joshua looked dapper as he put his gold on display

Clean cut... Triathlon brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee looked immaculate in their ball attire

The pride of Britain: Dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer (L) and Judoka Gemma Gibbons

Tom Daley cut a Bond style figure at the event in a black tuxedo, white shirt and bow tie.

As gold medallist super-heavyweight Anthony Joshua looked dapper in all black.

Other sports stars at the prestige evening included Sir Steve Redgrave, Laura Bartlett, Sarah Thomas, Triathlon brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee.

In good spirits: British three-day eventing rider Kristina Cook posed with her silver medal

Showing off their medals: Hockey stars Laura Bartlett and Sarah Thomas

Singing talents: Former X Factor contestants Ella Henderson and Matt Cardle were also in tow

Championing the stars of the Olympic Games: Lord Sebastian Coe and his wife Lady Carole Coe

VIDEO: Team GB stars go to ball and give their predictions for Sports Personality of the Year 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2241306/Victoria-Pendleton-picture-elegance-British-Olympic-Ball.html#ixzz2Dowdpubw
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