MOTHER’S PRIDE

In 2008 they headed off to Beijing to watch Richard compete. But this summer will be a double celebration after both Richard and younger son Peter were selected for the Lightweight Four at the London Olympics.

Peter shrugged off a back injury to confirm his selection at Windsor Castle last Wednesday in what mum Gillian called a ‘very proud day’.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and very proud of them,” she told Times Sport.

“We were with them last weekend and we knew that Peter’s back problem had made good progress, so we had a positive feeling that they were both in line to be selected. But you can never be sure until it is confirmed.

“To be honest it is still very hard to imagine, fingers crossed though they will both be in the same boat at the Olympics if everything goes to plan.

“We are exceptionally proud of them, it is a fantastic achievement, but we know they are not at the starting line yet.

“They have a meeting in Munich and then a very tough training camp coming up in Germany. So it is all about staying fit and healthy and making sure they make it on to the boat in London.”

Gillian told Times Sport the boys are very pleased to be rowing together, but the only thing they were focused on all along was that it should be the best man for the job.

“It going to be a very special moment for them as brothers,” said Gillian. “But they know the boat is the most important thing. They fully accept it has to be the four fastest rowers that are selected.

“Thankfully they have proven their worth and hopefully now they can go on and prove it again at the Olympics.

“They have worked so hard for this moment, but they appreciate they are in a fortunate position, how many people would love to make their livelihood out of a sport they love?”

The 2008 games in Beijing were very special for Gillian and her family as they travelled to the far east to watch Richard compete, and they are expecting more of the same this time round.

“Beijing was something else,” she said.

“As a spectacle it was absolutely unbelievable, the occasions was fantastic.

“It will be different this time as it’s on our doorstep as such. We will be staying at Richard’s house, which is only five miles from the course, which is great.

“It will be special though, especially for those taking part for GB as the entire nation will be behind them.

“I’ve no doubt it will be a fantastic experience for them.”

And the boys can expect the whole of Coleraine to be cheering them on.

“They are very proud to be from Coleraine,” said Gillian.

“They were delighted to see the Olympic Torch being rowed across the Bann to the rowing club last week.

“The club means a lot to them and to us as a family. I can’t speak highly enough of the influence of the coaches and how they’ve helped Richard and Peter, as well as countless others, over the years.

“Really it’s hats off to them all and they deserve to be a part of all this success for the hours and hours of dedicated coaching they have put in.

“The club is going from strength to strength and I firmly believe there will be more Olympians to come out of Bann in years to come.”

Double world champion Richard is hoping to improve on a fifth place finish in Beijing, but he doesn’t believe there is any extra pressure with the games being in London.

“The pressure comes from what we expect of ourselves,” he said.

“We’ve trained for four years to win an Olympic gold medal and silver won’t do, we’re only focused on that gold medal. We don’t just want to win a medal, the four of us want to become Olympic champions and that’s where the pressure comes from.”