![Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20080816/000cf1a487730a10f89111.jpg "Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua]") |
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Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua] |
![Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20080816/000cf1a487730a10f8b812.jpg "Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua]") |
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Britain wins men's four rowing gold. [Xinhua] |
The boat from Great Britain successfully reversed their backwardness in the rowing event of men's four and was at last crowned in the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Saturday.
The last part of the race was a close contest between Australia and Great Britain. The Australian boat hit the finish line with a result of 6 minutes 6.57 seconds, followed by runners-up the British boat with 6:07.85 and the French crew in 6:09.31.
The Australian boat took a one-length lead before the British crew started to sprint. At the 1,500 meter point, the British boat began to accelerate and hit the finish line just half a length ahead of the second boat.
Great Britain, where the sport of rowing originated, is a powerhouse in rowing. It has won a total of 22 Olympic gold medals in rowing before the Beijing Olympics, including 6 in the event of men's four. This is Britain's third time to win an Olympic gold medal in the event. It won at both the Sydney and Athens Olympics.
"I just can't believe it. We really had a chance. It's difficult to explain emotions and feelings, brains to muscles," Steve Williams of Great Britain told reporters in the mixed zone.
"This year has been such a long journey. There is so much stuff we are going through," he noted, adding that they were just holding a team together and keeping their confidence high during the race.
This is also Great Britain's gold medal in rowing for the seventh straight Olympics. This gold medal brings Great Britain level with the former Soviet Union which won gold medals at seven Olympic Games in a row between 1952 and 1976, a streak which is only bettered by the United States. The United States won gold medals at every Olympic Games from 1920 to 1964, a total of 10 Olympics in succession.
The bronze medalists from France were also very excited about their achievement in the race.
"Even if we are third, it's an incredible emotion. My heart is beating hard. After three years of hard work, it's wonderful to win," French crew member Benjamin Rondeau said excitedly.
He also said that he wanted to say thanks to his supporters.
"I want to say thanks to my friends, my parents who have supported us but, mostly, my teammates. If there is a good coalition between us, it is a big contribution toward winning," the 25-year-old said.