'Epic' Paris bronze took 'a lot of tears' - Wilkes

Two-time European champion Oli Wilkes (right) helped Team GB to Olympic coxless four bronze

Team GB rower Oli Wilkes has said there were "a lot of tears" on his way to becoming an Olympic bronze medallist two years after being forced to sit out a World Cup event win.

Wilkes and team-mates David Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson overcame a difficult start to win one of three rowing medals in an hour for Great Britain in Vaires-sur-Marne on Thursday.

Having been a non-travelling reserve for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Wilkes earned a place on the crew but had to watch their triumph in Belgrade in 2022 from his hotel room after contracting Covid-19.

The aerospace engineering graduate became a world champion a year later in the coxless four in the Serbian capital, earning Team GB a place at the Olympics, where their podium place left him "feeling epic".

"I'm really proud of what we did," the 29-year-old told BBC Radio Derby. "All four of us were really happy.

"There have been a lot of tears along the way, the ups and downs. I'm very glad I put in the hard work and gave up a lot of my time to achieve this.

"Now it's kind of strange, it being over. It will be nice to go home and see family and friends in Matlock.

"Hopefully I did them proud and they're happy with my results."

Wilkes beat reigning Olympic 100m breastroke champion and fellow Derbyshire athlete Adam Peaty at freestyle swimming before switching to rowing.

"I was a swimmer from a young age, so there were a lot of early mornings and my parents had to make a lot of sacrifices to get me to training," he said.

"Especially in recent years, when I've been taking it more seriously and trying to avoid getting ill and stuff. I've had to miss friends' birthdays and socialising opportunities - stuff I'd like to make amends for in the future.

"I need to get myself down to Matlock Bath because there's a nice canoe slalom course.

"We're staying in the same room as the canoe kayakers, so I'm hoping they can give me a tip or two."

Also a mountain biker with a masters degree in sustainable energy systems, Wilkes will be in good company before he heads home following the Olympics closing ceremony on 11 August.

"There's absolutely support there for each other within Team GB," he said. "Just talking with other athletes is the most special part of the Olympics."