A BRONZE medal was “no consolation” for York City Rowing Club star Tom Ransley after his brave gold medal bid failed in the final of the eight at London 2012.
The 26-year-old admitted that Great Britain “went for broke” at Eton Dorney as they finished in third place behind the all-conquering German crew and reigning Olympic champions Canada.
“We came here to win,” said University of York graduate Ransley. “I never thought I would say that I wouldn’t be happy with an Olympic medal, but I’m not.
“We gave it our best shot and went for broke. “That’s why we’re in third, not second. It wasn’t to be.”
Germany went into the final on the back of a three-year unbeaten run, with Great Britain claiming silver medals in their wake at the last two world championships.
Ransley and his crew-mates – Alex Partridge, James Foad, Richard Egington, Mo Sbihi, Greg Searle, Matthew Langridge and Constantine Louloudis – kept pace with Germany in the first 1,000 metres and edged ahead in the second half of the race.
However, that sparked favourites Germany into life and Canada also overhauled Great Britain as they tired on the run to the line.
Said Ransley: “We were keeping ahead of the field and thought we were moving through and it was in the last 500 metres that it started to fall apart because we were trying to get our bow in front.
“A bronze medal’s no consolation. We wanted to be in the final so we’d have an opportunity to win gold.
“A few years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of this. We row as such a good team and we expect to win, that’s what we train to do.”
Ransley’s crew-mate, Greg Searle, lamented the end of his dream to top the podium at the age of 40 – 20 years after winning gold in the coxed pairs in Seoul.
Searle said: “The dream has not come completely true, but the whole three years have been absolutely brilliant. I don’t think we could have given any more. We wanted to be able to look at ourselves and say we had given it everything and I think we can.”
Meanwhile, there were again tears for Harrogate-born Debbie Flood as she missed out on a medal – and called time on her rowing career.
Four years ago, Flood was part of the women’s quadruple sculls crew that arrived in Beijing as unbeaten world champions, only to lose by a fraction to the hosts in the final.
This time though there was no podium moment as Flood’s British crew, including Melanie Wilson, Frances Houghton and Beth Rodford, finished sixth in their final as Ukraine took gold and Germany and the USA completed the podium.
“These girls will go on together and I’m sure they’ve got a great future but unfortunately that is it for me,” said Flood, who took a sabbatical from rowing before returning to focus on London.
“I never for a minute regret coming back, I love this sport, I love the training and I love being around this team and I will really miss that. Coming back has given me the chance to compete at these Olympics and race in front of that home crowd, which is something I will never forget.”
• Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012
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