Grainger and Thornley win double sculls silver at Rio 2016

Wrexham rower Vicky Thornley said she was “lost for words” after scooping a silver medal in the women’s double sculls at the Rio Olympics this afternoon.

Grainger and teammate Victoria Thornley came close to winning in Rio but were narrowly beaten by Poland’s Magdalena Fularczyk and Natalia Madaj.

“I think we are coming home in 12 days and my father will still be drunk”.

The former equestrian rider and model was the first graduate of the Sporting Giants talent identification scheme to win a medal when she struck gold at the 2009 World U23 Championships.

“I knew I was capable for a performance of Olympic medal standard and it hadn’t quite come out yet”.

They ended up finishing 1.84 seconds behind in a time of 6:52.47.

The journey to Brazil has been bumpy, with the 40-year-old and 28-year-old Thornley deciding to abandon the double sculls project midway through the season, only to reform having failed to qualify for seats in the eight.

Grainger’s latest win makes her the only female athlete in any sport to pick up medals in five consecutive Olympic Games.

“I don’t think anything would eclipse London”, Grainger told the BBC.

In a thrilling final on the Lagoa lake Grainger and Thornley left nothing out on the water, but the Polish crew left more in the tank for the final 250m and edged in front to take gold in a dramatic race. She should strictly be called Dr Grainger now, after completing her PhD in criminology and becoming chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, but she has not last her affinity for Olympic finals. “It’s a medal that not many would have put money on so I’m pleased”.

“Regarding Tokyo 2020 – mum and dad, I promise I won’t put you through it again”.

“I can’t wait to hear our parents voices because they have sacrificed everything for us to achieve this”, he said.

“I accepted that was the price you pay for taking time out”.

They broke into a strong lead during their semi-final and were able to cruise across the line in 7:18.69.

Meanwhile, the Britain’s men’s pair of Alan Sinclair and Stewart Innes were fourth behind the brilliant New Zealand boat of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond, who secured their 69th consecutive victory to take gold.