Matthew Pinsent won his fourth Olympic gold medal today when the British coxless four beat world champions Canada in one of the closest Olympic rowing finals ever seen.
The British crew of Pinsent, Sydney champion James Cracknell, Ed Coode and Steve Williams were level with Canada for the last 500 metres but just held on by inches on the line.
Both crews sat slumped in their boats on the line waiting for the result. The British crew then punched the air and did a lap of honour past the raucous spectator stand full of their fans.
As expected, both crews shot out of the blocks and Britain had a foot lead for the majority of the race but Canada edged back in the second half and then staged a dramatic late surge.
The narrow win follows a disrupted season for the British, marred by injury and crew changes, and the Canadians started the Olympics as favourites. But the British had by far the more experience in the boat and managed to hang on at the finish.
Pinsent said before the regatta started he was likely to retire after this Olympics.
Italy finished third.
