Mum elated as Imogen Grant wins Olympic gold

Imogen Grant's mother Tracey (centre) said there was screaming, stamping and cheering in the stand as the rowers won by almost a length

The mother of Olympic winner Imogen Grant said she was "elated and very, very happy" as her daughter and Emily Craig won Team GB's second rowing gold of the Paris games.

The pair took the lead after 500m of the 2,000m race to win the women's lightweight double sculls by almost a length.

The victory completed a remarkable run for the duo who have been unbeaten since missing out on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics by 0.01 seconds.

Ms Grant said she planned to "give them a big hug when I find them and [give them] cake - they're lightweights and some sweet comestibles might be in order".

Imogen Grant (left) and Emily Craig have added the Olympic title to their world and European triumphs

Grant grew up in Cambridge and began rowing while studying at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Her mother said: "Imogen's phrase after Toyko was, 'If you don't win, you learn', and so all they've done is learn from that experience. They did their best, they did a good race.

"They have missed lots of family-and-friends events, missed weddings, missed christenings so, yes they've been focused, absolutely focused and determined and dedicated."

Ms Grant added: "There was so much screaming in the stand and stamping our feet and clapping and cheering - it was amazing."

Grant and Craig celebrated by throwing their arms in the air as they added the Olympic title to back-to-back world and European triumphs.

There were also floods of tears and beaming smiles as they received their gold medals before heading off to celebrate with their friends and families in the stand.

The Grant family now plans to "have a lovely time together in Paris for a few days" before the Olympic champion starts work as a junior doctor two days after the closing ceremony on 11 August.

The duo have been rowing together since 2019