Ladies and gents, I can’t believe I am on the other side of that enormous wall. I have so much to say, stories to tell and feelings to express. Enough content to cover a good few blogs, but let’s just do one at a time. It’s only forty-eight hours and I finally have 30 seconds to get a piece down for my website.

I’ll keep this short as there are places to go and people to meet in this big old world that I’ve been missing out on for the last four years. I want to say the thank you that I couldn’t quite articulate in my post race BBC interview. At the time, my brain was still struggling to pay off a daunting oxygen debt.

Thank you to the British public and our extended supporters. Anyone who has bought a National Lottery ticket. Anyone who gave us a ‘Come on FOUR’ or ‘Team GB, Team GB, Team GB’ chant as we were preparing. To the thousands at Dorney Lake who screamed until they were silent during our heat, semi and final races. To the dancing volunteers with smiling faces. To the efficient bag drop girls. To the unlucky thousands who had to scream at their TV without a ticket – even though we couldn’t hear you, knowing you were there was enough. The country was with us from the beginning to the very last stroke and we would not have done it without you.

Great Britain undoubtedly top the medal table for supporters – we know it, you know it, our opposition knew it and it got us through. Like I said GOLD for GB supporters.

I thank you, the four thanks you, the GB rowing team thanks you and I will be sure to smile for a photo with you if we pass on the street or in the Olympic Park. I would love to hear your stories of what you were doing for our final. Britain loves sport again – let’s get the youngsters involved.

With very best wishes. Come on Team GB this coming week! Now I’m a supporter.

#TheBritishAreComing