Tokyo 2020 - Polly Swann praises Helen Glover and their 'special' achievement of racing in the women's pair final

ByCoral Barry

Updated 29/07/2021 at 04:02 GMT

While Helen Glover suffered heartbreak in the final of the women's pair, her partner Polly Swann heaped praise on the Olympic legend. Glover was back in the boat after four years away. "I have to say for Helen it’s been truly inspiring watching her come back from four years out of the boat. ," she said. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.

Polly Swann paid special tribute to Helen Glover after the British duo finished fourth in the women’s pair.

Glover fell short of her goal to win a third Olympic gold after spending four years out of the boat.

It was an epic comeback for Glover to make it to Tokyo 2020 and Swann was full of praise for the Olympic legend after the race.

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“We’ve always had a very, very high standard for ourselves,” Swann told Eurosport afterwards.

I’m sure in years to come we can look back and be really proud. It might be sad faces right now but the journey we’ve been on together has been very special.

“I have to say for Helen it’s been truly inspiring watching her come back from four years out of the boat.

“I think the fact that our two stories show you can go away from the sport and come back with determination and passion and be top of the field.

“We put it all out there today, okay we fell short of the podium, but I still think we can be proud.”

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New Zealand duo Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler pulled off a tactical masterclass to win gold with Canada’s Hillary Janssens and Caileigh Filmer beating Glover and Swann to the bronze.

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Though both women appeared disappointed with coming so close to a medal, Glover insisted it was a race they could be proud of.

“It’s a strange feeling we’ve had it done,” Glover said, standing beside Swann.

In some ways we want to go back and row it again but in other ways I know we did all we could.

"Yeah, I think it’s surreal it’s done but I think we can hold our heads high with the work we did.”

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