Andrew Hodge stroked the GB Coxless Fours to Olympic Gold in Beijing this afternoon. The flagship boat of British Rowing lived up to their favourites tag and ensured that, like illustrious predecessors, Sir Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, they were in first place on the podium when it mattered most.

In a thrilling 2000 metre race, the GB boat was in third position at the half-way point, with it all to do. Slovenia was overhauled but, with only 500 metres remaining, the Australian boat still had a substantial lead. GB were not to be denied however and with a stunning burst of pace, they overtook the Australians and clinched Gold in a nail-biting finish. The crew of Andy Hodge, Peter Reed, Steve Williams and Tom James lived up to the huge expectations created by GB wins in this race, both in Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000, and proved themselves to be the fastest Four in the World. - 16 August 2008