Redemption for Craig and Grant after Tokyo heartache

In Emily Craig’s house, there is a picture of the agonising photo finish that shows her and Imogen Grant missing an Olympic medal by just 0.01 seconds. But in the city of Monet, Degas, and Chagall, they created their own masterpiece with a sensational gold medal in the “grand finale” of a three-year revenge tour.

- CHARLIE BENNETT

Craig and Grant were dominant in the women’s lightweight pair final as British Rowing celebrated a sixth medal of these comeback Games, already four more than they managed in Tokyo. Craig and Grant are the epitome of that renaissance. They have dominated their event to such an extent that this race was sized up as a foregone conclusion.

They arrived unbeaten in 22 races, with two world championship wins in their back pocket, but number 23 was always going to be the one that really mattered. And despite the gutsy challenge of Romania’s Gianina Elena van Groningen and Livia Cozmiuc, they won by a length to deliver Britain’s second gold at Vaires-sur-Marne.

Alongside euphoria, there was also relief when they crossed the line. Grant and Craig were supposedly the banker of the Games and though it was not comfortable, they rarely looked troubled.

At least, that was, until the podium when the emotions all became too much.