No pressure for Olympic rowers

Matthew Wells, from Hexham, is competing in the Men's quadruple scull Credit: ITV

Two of Great Britain's Olympic rowers say they are not feeling any added pressure from the expectation placed on the team ahead of the London 2012 Games.

Team GB won six medals in rowing at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, putting them as one of the favourites in the competition at this summer's Games.

However, two North East athletes said being part of a winning team only makes them more determined to succeed.

Matthew Wells, who grew up in Hexham in Northumberland, will compete in the Men's quadruple scull. The 33-year-old said: "We're a really successful team and have been for the last eight years. I don't think anyone feels any pressure because of that.

"Everyone expects themselves to be really good, and because of that it drives everyone else on in the team.

Katherine Copeland (right) is competing with Sophie Hosking (left) in the Lightweight women's double scull Credit: ITV

Katherine Copeland, from Teesside, is competing with Sophie Hosking in the Lightweight women's double scull. The 21-year-old said: "I'm quite proud to be part of a successful sport and a successful team, and it gives us confidence that what we've been doing in the past has worked really well.

"So we have faith in the programme, and the coaches, and we just need to apply ourselves and be in the right place."

The rowing competition begins at Eton Dorney in Buckinghamshire on July 28.