FOR a decade Matthew Pinsent rowed in the shadow of Sir Steve Redgrave.

But three gold medals in successive Games make him one of Great Britain's greatest Olympians.

And at breakfast time today millions of us will be cheering him to glory and to a remarkable fourth gold medal.

With Redgrave enjoying retirement, Pinsent is deservedly at the centre of attention. We wish him every success and the very best of luck this morning.

He has helped put rowing on the sporting map, and a gold medal today will help the sport continue to flourish.

So, too, will success by the women's quadruple sculls in the Olympic final tomorrow.

And with Richmond's Alison Mowbray in the crew, our region has more reason than most to cheer as loudly as possible.