'I hugged mum and burst into tears' - gold medallist

An Olympic gold medal-winning rower said he hoped his success would inspire more people to take up the sport.

James Rudkin, from Litchborough, in Northamptonshire, took gold as part of the men's eight at the Paris games on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Sport he said: "I hope something like this will show people rowing is a great sport they can get in to.

"It would be great to see more community rowing clubs to just bring people into the sport from all backgrounds."

Rudkin started rowing when he was seven, coached by his father, and went on to join his local club, Hollowell Scullers, in Guilsborough.

He studied study History and Politics at Newcastle University and made his Olympic rowing debut at the Tokyo games, winning bronze in the men's eight.

Getting the gold this time around was "very special - something I've wanted for such a long time", he said.

Rudkin's parents, who he described as "my rock", were there to watch their son's victory, and he said he was scanning the crowd from the medal podium, looking for them.

They had not been able to go to the Tokyo games, so having them in Paris was extra special, he said.

He said: "I hugged my mum and I just burst into tears - I couldn't hold it together.

"It's been pretty emotional the last few days, building up to this moment and having them here.

He also praised his local rowing club, saying: "I rowed at Northampton Rowing Club, which is a great club down on the Nene.

"It's a great spot, and there's a white water centre there as well, and we're here in the hotel with all the canoers and kayakers as well, so it's a great little bit of history there."

Speaking of his love of rowing, Rudkin encouraged others to try it.

"Just go for it, it such an awesome sport, and if there's a rowing club near you, it's just so easy to get into," he said.

"You don't need to buy your own boat or anything like that, and there are great volunteer coaches all around the country."

Rowing is "a really accessible thing and I wish more people will see what we've been able to do here, and say yes, I want to try that".

Asked how he planned to celebrate his crew's success, he said: "I've been trying to stop myself eating too many croissants, and I think my crew will attest to that, so now I think I'm going to have quite a few of them."

Now his part is over, Rudkin said he would be staying in Paris for another week and would be seeing some of the other events.

"I'm just really excited to watch Team GB smash it," he added.

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