Post-race comments from Thursday, with A Final races listed first--M2x, LM4-, and W8--then the remarks from today's semi-finalists. updated 2 pm EDT
Men's Double
Nils Jakob HOFF/Kjetil BORCH (NOR) after winning the B final of the men's double sculls ahead of Australia and Germany at Eton Dorney on Thursday
On the race:
"The race was better than the semi. We managed to learn what we did wrong then and it's disappointing that we weren't able to do it in the semifinal, but that's life."
On improving their ranking from eighth place to seventh:
"We really didn't come here to be ranked No.7."
On supporting his teammates Kristopher BRUN (NOR) and Are STRANDLI (NOR) in their lightweight men's double sculls semifinal later on Thursday:
"There's not going to be a single sound left in us as we cheer them on. They are really tough guys mentally and physically and we really believe in them They've been making life hard for us and we want them to succeed"
Kjetil BORCH (NOR)
On supporting his teammates Kristopher BRUN (NOR) and Are STRANDLI (NOR) in their lightweight men's double sculls semifinal later on Thursday:
"We will be yelling our guts out."
Julien BAHAIN (FRA) after he and Cedric BERREST (FRA) were placed fourth in the B final of the men's double sculls, finishing 10th overall, at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On finishing 10th overall:
"You don't feel good. You come here with the ambition to win. It's hard to explain what went wrong."
"It's not that I'm disappointed that we didn't get a medal. We just couldn't do what we wanted to do. Tactically or psychologically something is missing."
"We (weren't any good) in the heat, and thought we'd be better in the semifinal."
"We enjoyed Beijing with a medal (bronze in the quadruple sculls). It's just hard, we did the same training, the same preparation."
On if they felt something was off:
"We felt powerful. We were in good shape."
On the final of the men's double sculls:
"It's going to be a weird final. (You're missing) the world cup winner (Norway), the previous world cup winner (Germany), the Olympic champions (Australia) and us as the least of that group."
On enjoying the rest of the London 2012 Olympic Games:
"I'm staying until the 13th (of August), but I'm not sure what I will do. I'm employed by the train people, so I can travel for free and I can get home anytime I want to."
Scott BRENNAN (AUS) after he and partner David CRAWSHAY (AUS) finished second in the B final of the men's double sculls behind France at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On not making the A final and the overall result:
"It's intensely disappointing. We worked really well together as a team."
On racing at the Olympic Games:
"There's always something left. It's a big decision, four years of your life."
Stephan KRUEGER (GER) after coming third in the men's double sculls B final with partner Eric KNITTEL (GER) behind Norway and Australia at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"Our performance was disappointing but you have to see everything in the big context - we were racing against the 2008 Olympic champions (Australia) and the winners of the world cup in Munich (Norway). The double sculls field is very, very competitive compared to other categories."
On their performance in the semifinal (finishing fourth and failing to qualify for the A final) after winning two golds and a bronze at the world cup regattas this year:
"I think it was a pity that we finished fourth, but it is important to say that our achievements this year have not been bad - we are the world cup leaders."
Joseph SULLIVAN/Nathan COHEN (NZL) after winning gold in the men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race and the final sprint to the line:
"It was painful but so, so good. We didn't see much of the race, he (COHEN) just said to go so I went. We had a lot of things to do."
Nathan COHEN (NZL) - gold
On his emotions after winning:
"Disbelief really. I thought that we were capable of doing it but still, unbelievable."
On the last sprint:
"It wasn't pretty, but we held on."
Luka SPIK/Itzok COP (SLO) after winning bronze in the men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the conditions at Eton Dorney:
"I'm pissed because I think the lanes six and five were better today. It was too hard, the wind was too heavy on our side."
Itzok COP (SLO)
On winning their third Olympic medal (after gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and silver at Athens 2004):
"It feels nice, especially after four years of not winning a medal in a major competition."
Alessio SARTORI/Romano BATTISTI (ITA) after winning silver in the men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On winning silver from lane six:
"I am very happy because I was out of the national team and started in a club boat and then won national and international competitions this year and qualified in Lucerne (at the final Olympic qualification regatta). At this race we put our best in the second 1,000 metres."
Romano BATTISTI (ITA) - silver
On the race:
"It was a wonderful race."
Comments from Saulius RITTER (LTU) after finishing last in the final of the men's double sculls with partner Rolandas MASCINKAS (LTU) at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"The semifinals were very good for us, but today, given the weather conditions and the lanes, I didn't feel the race was very equal - and I am not the only one with that opinion. It was much harder to be in the first and second lanes because of the wind from the left. But it is what it is."
On plans for the future:
"We hope to go to the European championships rowing in the double sculls, to defend our title."
Luka SPIK (SLO) after winning bronze in the men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Luka SPIK (SLO)
On whether he was happy with the race:
"I'm happy, but not totally satisfied."
On taking the early lead in the race:
"We knew the conditions on the lake were crucial. In the last 750 metres there was a bit (of an) advantage in lanes six and five. We were trying until 250/200 (metres to go) to race them (Italy) but it was not possible."
On the final New Zealand sprint which brought them gold:
"We knew New Zealand would do that, so we tried to pull harder in the middle 1000 (metres)."
Men's Lightweight Four
Franck SOLFOROSI (FRA) after winning the B final of the lightweight men's four at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the result:
"Today's race gave us a good feeling but this was not the result we wanted. The objective was to reach the A final so we are a bit disappointed. But we finished with a good feeling."
"Last Olympics we came fourth in the lightweight four so I am disappointed."
On what's next:
"Vacation is next and maybe a break for a year. I need to take a break and see what I will do next. I want to go to Rio (2016) but I will see."
"We have a very good group of lightweights in France but each year we have a new boat. These Olympic Games have not been easy. We didn't have loads of time to build on it."
Bastian SEIBT/Lars WICHERT (GER) after finishing third in the B final of the lightweight men's fours at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On being rowed through by the United States in the last part of the race:
"The first 1500 (metres) were okay but the last 500 there were some problems with the steering and our blades were touching the buoys at the finish. The rhythm was lost."
Lars WICHERT (GER)
On how competitive this event is:
"Our start was OK, we were in the first two to three positions. Lightweight fours is a very close competition to win."
John SMITH (RSA) after winning gold in the lightweight men's four at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the result:
"I can't believe it. The swimming (medals for South Africa) has really inspired us."
On the sprint for the line:
"I kept my head down in the boat, we kept ourselves for the big sprint. They say that big sprinters finish second - not today."
"Our stroke man Lawrence (Sizwe NDLOVU, RSA) took us home."
On the support for the crew:
"We have had amazing support here. In South Africa, our Facebook has been going crazy."
Rob WILLIAMS (GBR) after winning silver in the lightweight men's fours at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On winning silver:
"We came to win, but it's an incredibly tight event. You can't take anything for granted."
On the support from the fans:
"The crowd are fantastic. That last 200 metres would have been a lot harder if they hadn't been there."
Jacob BARSOE (DEN), Morten JORGENSEN (DEN) and Eskild EBBESEN (DEN) after winning bronze in the final of the lightweight men's four at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"We had a good start, leading most of the race, but by the last 500m, as the speed of the race increased, the wind was killing us. We had lots of bad strokes and lost boat speed."
On what is next for the team:
"Three of the guys will stay on the team and hopefully we will be able to qualify again. We will have to ask ourselves questions and think of what we need to do in order to turn this around. We know we have some things to work on. We will come again."
On rowing with Olympic medallist EBBESEN (DEN):
"It was a big experience rowing with a legend. We learned a lot from him which we now can build on. We will come back."
Morten JORGENSEN (DEN) - bronze
On the race:
"In the first 1500m we were in control of the race but the stroke got short and South Africa and Great Britain rowed through us."
Eskild EBBESEN (DEN) - bronze
On winning bronze at London 2012 after previously winning one Olympic bronze and three Olympic gold medals:
"I am very happy with my fifth medal. It could have been gold, it could have been fourth or fifth, so I am very happy."
chef de mission Patience SHIKWAMBANA (RSA) after the South African lightweight men's four won the gold medal at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Patience SHIKWAMBANA (RSA) - chef de mission
On Sizwe (Lawrence) NDLOVU (RSA) inspiring a generation of athletes in South Africa:
"This inspires people back home in a big way. For me, Sizwe NDLOVU, for him being part of that team, it will start to say to most of our black people that really we as blacks, we can't swim or we can't be in the water - he has proven that wrong, they can be able to do it."
"So, we are encouraging our youth to say, Look, let's not just focus on netball or football, as the black sports, but they can get involved in any sports, as long as they are given exposure at an early age, they can be able to achieve that."
On the support from the South African federation:
"I must say that through our support project, it has helped a great deal, it has supported these athletes and now it is showing that hard work and the support from us - these two things right there, if you support them in a holistic manner, they will go further."
On the welcome Sizwe NDLOVU (RSA) will receive on returning home:
"He will be received as a prince or a king. He is from Kwa Zulu Natal, and we call Kwa Zulu Natal 'The Kingdom', so that means when he gets there the King is going come and welcome him and say 'Yes, boy, you've made us proud.'"
On South Africa's ongoing medal prospects:
"We have to make our country proud, and the team are doing that. It is amazing, but I think it's too early and we still have work to do. So we just need to relax and calm down."
"I said it yesterday in an interview, we are going to get a medal in rowing today. And yes it has happened. We are still expecting medals in swimming, and the athletics is starting, so I am still saying it, so yes we can, and we are really going to make our country proud."
Anthony EDWARDS/Benjamin CURETON (AUS) after coming fourth in the lightweight men's four final at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Anthony EDWARDS (AUS)
On the race:
"We just had nothing left. We put it all out there and they were coming and coming at us. But we know it was the best way to row to have a chance of a medal. We probably just didn't get ourselves enough buffer to withstand the hard finish. The race was something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
On having been in the Australian national team for 19 years:
"When I rowed in that final back in 1996 I really didn't know what I was doing. I'm loving every minute of it - and the longer my innings goes on the more I rely on the support of my friends. When you line up at the start you're not just there by yourself, you're with a support mechanism around you - and that's what special, I think."
Benjamin CURETON (AUS):
On rowing with Anthony EDWARDS (AUS):
"I started my Olympic campaign with Eddie (Anthony EDWARDS) in 2004 and we won silver, which was great. I wasn't going to row this time around, but then Eddie came back and I said I'd have another crack at it."
"It obviously didn't finish the way I would have wanted, but we got a world championship out of it last year and we've had a good run. Unless Eddie's going to row at (the age of) 43 we probably won't get a chance to do it again."
On whether he will compete in the Olympics again:
"It's doubtful. I'd like to, but a lot depends on whether the other guys are still going. It's hard to build a crew around one or two people, and when you've been around with the same people for so long, it's hard to see past them."
Women's Eight
Mary WHIPPLE/Caroline LIND/Eleanor LOFGREN/Zszunna FRANCIA (USA) after winning the women's eight event at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Mary WHIPPLE (USA)
On her feelings:
"There's no place I would rather be, I'm so proud, I'm satisfied."
"I'm nothing without my teammates, they're my heroes, I love them so much."
On the race:
"The last few hundred (metres) was a little rough, but we just sold it and did what we had to do. There were a couple of little rough spots here and there. But I am in awe of my teammates and what they can endure and what they can handle. They are so committed and I am so proud to be their teammate."
On crossing the finish line:
"When we crossed, it was game over. I felt so much power. And when we took our stride, we were a little high, but it was beautiful. I just told them to breathe, to enjoy the moment, to feel each stroke. We got into our rhythm, and it was just a crushing rhythm, it was relentless. It was exactly what we planned to do, what we had practised, what we have visualised."
On the medal:
"An Olympic gold medal, it never gets old."
On retirement from the sport:
"This is it, and I'm happy."
Caroline LIND (USA)
On what she said before the race to their coxswain WHIPPLE:
"You're our brain and we're your body. And she said, what a great body!"
Esther LOFGREN (USA)
On their race:
"It's the best feeling in the world. We just went, we were going with everybody in the boat and we were having the best race of our lives. We were just keeping it going, conditions were a little bumpy out there but we just kept pushing through everything and I'm so proud of everyone in that boat."
On crossing the finish line in first place:
"That's another best feeling in the world."
On her mother and being cut from the 2008 team:
"My mom was the last person who was cut from the 1984 Olympic team, and it's been a dream since I was a little girl to go to the Olympics. And I was the last one cut from this boat in 2008 in Beijing, so to be here racing is just so special and it means so much to me."
"I want to thank everyone who has helped all of us get here, the girls back at Princeton, we couldn’t have done it without you."
"I'm going to give her (mum) my medal. And a big hug. This one's for her."
On watching the 2008 Olympics from home:
"These are girls I train with day in and day out, and I couldn't have been prouder and happier for them. But it's the worst feeling the world not to be there, and I've got two newbies with me."
Zsuzsanna FRANCIA (USA)
On winning the gold medal:
"Yeah! That is an American dynasty, baby. It was a great race, a little tough conditions, but it was awesome – a lot of power in that boat."
Zsuzsanna FRANCIA (USA) after winning the women's eight event at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Zsuzsanna FRANCIA (USA) - gold
On whether they had any rituals before racing:
"We had brought a bottle of water from Beijing (at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games they had one from Los Angeles 1984). Our coach filled it in Beijing in 2008, and before we went on to the water for the first time here, we poured it on our boat. So that was four-year-old water."
On their excitement before the race started:
"We were excited before the race, but everybody was excited, of course, as this is an Olympics. If you're not excited, then something is wrong."
On their secret for being unbeaten since 2006:
"Our secret is our coach. Our coach is a very severe person. At every training (session) he says that we were not good enough, we should row harder. Finally he said today that we had gone well."
On her plans after the Games:
"Now I'll go to a party. But after the Closing Ceremony I'll go to Hungary for a week. As usual after big competitions."
On the performance of the women's pair team (Sara HENDERSHOT/Sarah ZELENKA, USA) and not racing the pair as well as the eight:
"I'm happy that I had to concentrate only on one event. Of course, it's always good to compete, especially as this is the Olympic Games, but this was very good."
"I'm really very satisfied with their performance. I'm so sorry that they didn't achieve a medal, but they were rowing so good, (for) that I'm very proud of them."
On her future plans - in the past she has said she would like to be an FBI agent:
"It would be really hard to leave this sport. I have such a good life here, and I'm so lucky that I can do this for so many years."
"Probably I'll be rowing for so many years that I'll be too old to become an FBI agent."
On the performance of the Hungarian lightweight men's double Tamas VARGA/Zsolt HIRLING:
"I followed their races, and to my mind they rowed very well. I'm always happy to see them in this environment. They always cheer for me, and so do I for them."
Darcy MARQUARDT (CAN) and Andreanne MORIN (CAN) after winning silver behind USA in the women's eight at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the result:
"You know what, we were as best prepared as we could have been, each of us having PB (personal best) after PB."
On not beating United States:
"It's pretty amazing, we did what we could on the day, and it's a silver medal at the Olympic Games."
Andreanne MORIN (CAN) - silver
On the crew:
"I have a legend that sits in front of me (coxswain Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE, CAN) and several superstars that sit behind me. We have raised the bar over the past few years."
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Krista GULOIEN/Natalie MASTRACCI/Rachelle VIINBERG (CAN) after winning silver in the final of the women's eights at Eton Dorney on Thursday behind the United States.
On her feelings during the race:
"It was my dream out there. I felt as though time slowed down for us, it was great. This is possibly my last professional race and I was excited to be in the thick of it. In the last 250 metres of the work we put in we laid it on the line. We tried to get as close to perfect as we possibly could and that was perfect."
"In the last 500 (metres) and we could hear the cheering and it helps us to move one inch more."
Natalie MASTRACCI (CAN)
On their opponents:
"USA are a Formula One crew. They have heart and endurance and we showed them our heart in the last 500."
Rachelle VIINBERG (CAN)
On the final sprint to the line:
"We were moving up on the USA, we made a move and not quite enough. The USA are an amazingly fast crew."
"I don't even remember the pain, the crowd were amazing and we got a good adrenaline rush."
On their coxswain, Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE (CAN):
"She is the most experienced. We listen to her voice and she carried us through. She is an exceptional woman."
On her future in rowing:
"For the future, I really can see the chapter is closed. My husband Alex is in Toronto and I'm in London. But I don't regret putting my career and having children on hold. I need to start having children and a career."
coxswain Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE (CAN) after winning silver behind the United States in the women's eight final at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE (CAN) - silver
On the crew and coming second:
"It's a special crew, they worked so hard and that was a great race. The USA had to work really hard to beat us. We went to win and didn't do it, but we're enjoying the silver."
On the USA:
"They were pretty strong. What we did and however fast we were going, they beat us. They (the USA) were the better crew, so hats off to them."
On what's next:
"I don't know where from here, but I am enjoying today. My husband and I will make the decision, but for now we're just enjoying family time."
On being part of the Canadian rowing programme in the future:
"It's not just a matter of me deciding. You have to fit into the programme. We have a good programme running and if I fit into it I don't know."
On going back to her day job:
"Back to school in September, I am a high school teacher. I like my school and I like my homework."
On her role in winning the silver:
"I did my 10% along with the coach. I just did my job as all women did in this race. Everybody did their bit."
On the racing conditions:
"We were really coming but we ran out of room. It is the nature of the day. We had very strong crosswind and it was taking a long time in the gates. But we are used to it."
On being Canada's most successful rowing athlete and winning a fifth Olympic medal:
"I wasn't really thinking about it. All I was thinking about was my crew."
Canadian rowers Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE and Natalie MASTRACCI after winning silver in the women's eight final, and from Sytske de GROOT, Claudia BELDERBOS and Annemiek de HAAN of Netherlands, who won bronze, during a media conference at Eton Dorney on Thursday. USA won gold in this event.
Lesley THOMPSON-WILLIE (CAN) - silver
On the rivalry between Canada and the USA and what the future holds for the two crews:
"They won't be the same USA team and we won't be the same Canadian team, so you cannot predict anything."
Natalie MASTRACCI (CAN) - silver
On the balance of veterans and new faces in the Canadian crew:
"Me and Lauren (WILKINSON, CAN) are sandwiched in between incredible experience."
On the pressure of the Olympic Games:
"When you are around the craziness that is the Olympic Games you have to treat it like any other day."
On the future of the Canadian crew:
"These women are titans of rowing, but Lauren and I are going to do everything we can to keep it going."
Sytske de GROOT (NED) - bronze
On winning bronze:
"The world cups were all part of the preparation for the Olympics. In each, we did something different. This was the moment that we were in the best shape."
Claudia BELDERBOS (NED) - bronze
On the background of their crew:
"I only started rowing in 2008. We really learnt to row. We had a young group, very enthusiastic, but we couldn't row very well. We had to start from the beginning. (our coach) Susannah (CHAYES, NED) had to teach us everything. The experience of Annemiek (de HAAN, the stroke of the boat) has been amazing."
Annemiek de HAAN (NED) - bronze
On winning her third medal in three Olympic Games:
"The score was two out of two, so I had to make it three out of three. I'm really happy with this crew."
Carline BOUW/Jacobine VEENHOVEN/Annemiek DE HAAN (NED) after winning the bronze medal behind the United States and Canada in the women's eight at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"This was the best race of the entire season. We never raced at this rate before, we raced like crazy."
"We wanted to try for the silver (in the last stages of the race). This was the best we could do."
Jacobine VEENHOVEN (NED) - bronze
On the race:
"We did a little spurt at the 750m mark and we were flying. I yelled at King (Nienke KINGMA, NED, who sits in front of her in the boat) to keep our heads in the boat and just go. It's a shame we didn't get the silver medal, but this was our best race ever."
On when she knew they were going to get on the podium:
"At the 1,000m mark. It just felt so good."
On winning an Olympic medal:
"When the (Dutch) men's eight finished (and didn't win a medal), I though to myself: 'I don't want the Olympics to end like that.'"
On the weather conditions:
"The wind was very hard every now and then. On strokeside (where she was sitting), we really had to make sure the finish of our strokes was good."
Annemiek DE HAAN (NED) - bronze
On when she was sure they were going to medal:
"The last 250 (metres) I was sure. But the last 500 (metres), I looked across - and I know I shouldn't be doing that - and saw that we had half a length up on Romania. I told myself not to give that advantage away."
"I was thinking about not catching a crab (losing control of the blade causing the boat to stop running), but we weren't using knitting needles (slang for two sculling oars) and that we should be OK."
On how much this means to her personally:
"I'm incredibly happy. This is my last time at the Olympics and I really wanted to win a medal."
Men's Four
Toni SEIFERT/Urs KAEUFER (GER) after finishing third in their semifinal of the men's four at Eton Dorney on Thursday, qualifying for Saturday's final behind the United States and Greece.
On how the race went:
"The first 1000 metres went okay and then it became more difficult. We had some communication problems and I didn't hear what was said."
Urs KAEUFER (GER)
On their medal hopes:
"We are still aiming for a medal. We know that there were at least four boats that were faster than us but it is possible. We still have the potential to do it and if everything happens as we want we can still make it."
Ioannis TSILIS (GRE) after qualifying for the final of the men's four by coming second in the semifinal, behind the United States and ahead of Germany, at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the improvements since the heat on Monday:
"This race for us was much better than the heat. We rowed with clear minds and we tried to do what our coach told us from the beginning. We followed exactly our race plan."
"We are very happy to be in the final A and we will try our best to get a medal or a very good place."
On rowing through Germany in the semifinal:
"After the first 500 (metres) I realised we were pushing very much the Germans, but they could not hold us and I realised that we would pass them quite easily."
On their preparations for the final:
"We will train today, final training tomorrow and Saturday we will try our best."
USA rowers Glenn OCHAL/Charles COLE/Henrik RUMMEL (USA) after winning their second semifinal in the men's fours, ahead of Greece and Germany, at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
It was solid. We were ahead by halfway, where we wanted to be, because, in the first half, people were doing all sorts of crazy stuff. We just stuck to our rhythm, and this carried us through the middle."
"Greece gave us a little trouble, but we managed to stay ahead of them. Germany had a pretty good start, but we got into a good rhythm and, from 250 (metres) to 1000 (metres), we started slowly coming through."
On whether this is the best they have ever rowed:
"It's good timing, I guess, but we have to row pretty well on Saturday. It's good to get another race under our belts, but we have to be ready for Saturday."
Charles COLE (USA)
On the race:
"We knew it would be a tough race - everyone had a chance, but job done. We are trying to improve as much as we can - and there is more to come."
On the crews in this semifinal:
"We didn't know what to expect - we knew that because Great Britain and Australia were in the other semifinal, everyone in this one would think they had a chance. We tried to focus on us, and our rowing."
"It's tough, but we are going to have to improve to come home with a medal. Greece are good, and they beat us last year. They are going to do everything they can in the final, so we'll see what we can do to improve. But we're very pleased with our crew, and we know we have a chance."
Henrik RUMMEL (USA)
On the conditions at Eton Dorney:
"A very strong crosswind makes you go down to port (strokeside), and it makes it feel heavy and the race tougher."
"You can definitely feel it at the start - and the flags (in the grandstands) are straight across, which makes it tough, but everyone is dealing with it and we just need to make sure we handle it well. We've raced better races, and we need to do that in the final if we want to win a medal. It's not reinventing the wheel, we just need to do what we've been doing."
Andrew TRIGGS HODGE/Pete REED (GBR) after winning the semifinal of the men's four ahead of Australia at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On whether it was more satisfying winning the race or beating the Australians:
"What was most satisfying today was executing a nice semifinal, having a really nice rhythm."
On being at Eton Dorney:
"We have had a great week. The crowd are awesome. Being here. Being British. Being proud. It is just a huge honour."
On the final:
"We are really excited for the final. Bring it on. I am most scared about how much pain I can put myself through. We are going to look at the splits and I know we can do more here and there."
"Everyone has got one final in them and ours is to come."
On the competition to get into the men's four:
"In sport someone is always challenging, there is always rivalry and long may it last."
On a message for the Australians before the final:
"Have a good row, you guys. If we beat them then we want to beat them at their best."
Pete REED (GBR)
On their performance in the semifinal:
"We have another gear. We were rowing better in the first 1,000 (metres) than in our heats, and then it was just job done. Then it was maintaining what we had to do and limiting our efficiency."
"In that race, there was lots of pressure, but I felt alive on the start, ready and buzzing. Whatever the Australians do, we can do as well. I don't think we've seen the best from Hodgey (TRIGGS HODGE) or TJ (Tom JAMES, GBR) and my engine is phenomenal at the moment."
On the crowds and home support at Eton Dorney
"We've heard them on the start, and we've seen enough racing so far to know that when the cameras are on the GB boat you can hear a roar. We felt that from the start."
"I was just sitting up and felt enormous pressure. I felt alive. Coming into the last 500 (metres) is where the crowd makes a difference."
"Coming into the last 250 (metres), you can't slow down when the crowd are shouting because the other crews know they are shouting for us and not them. So thank you to the crowd for supporting us so well."
On tactics:
"We were maybe a second down and I only need to say one word to the crew for them to go. It's my job as tactician and leader of the boat that it comes at the right time, and our gear changes come at the right time. My voice has to be calm and collected, I don't want to project any panic into the boat."
Ruben KNAB (NED) after his crew qualified for the final of the men's coxless fours by finishing third in the semifinal behind Great Britain and Australia at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On being aware that they were very close to the British four for 1500 metres of the race:
"I haven't paid attention to the Brits one bit during our race. Our own race was our main focus. We knew that we would have to come in third (to progress to the final)."
"You know beforehand that Australia and Great Britain will go out fast together. Boaz (MEYLINK, NED) twice asked for a push to get back on the British, but I think the crew was happy to be in third place."
On being happy with the race:
"I think we have more to give. We didn't sprint to the fullest. We haven't shown the world our best yet."
On the final:
"You know that the first two medals are taken already. Four other boats are fighting for that third spot."
On being surprised that they were in front by so much:
"At the start, I looked around and saw we were on the same line as the rest of them. At the 750m mark, I looked again, and I was surprised to see that we had half a length up on the Belorussians. At the 1000m mark, I called for a push to increase our lead."
On comparing this crew to the Netherlands crew that came sixth in last year's world championships:
"The four from last year was more inconsistent than this one. We would have fantastic races, but also disastrous (ones). I'm (much more) confident for the (Olympic) final."
On reaching the final while the Dutch four at Beijing 2008, who were favourites for a medal, didn't:
"I was only rowing for two years back then. I looked up to those guys. But the field of play is different now. Back then there were four crews vying for the gold, now it's just two. The four in Beijing was a good crew in their own rights, just like we are."
William LOCKWOOD/Drew GINN/James CHAPMAN (AUS) after coming second in the semifinal of the men's four behind Great Britain at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"We had the opportunity to beat them. It would have been nice to beat them. We had a good start, a solid rhythm. We're happy with it."
"To be in a race like this is once-in-a-lifetime. I'm trying to live in the moment, to relish it, to get some good memories and inspire young rowers in generations to come."
On the rowing season:
"I've had a fantastic season, it's been really fun and a massive learning curve."
On having Drew GINN in the crew:
"It's been great to have somone so level-headed in the crew. It keeps the younger guys like me in a good head-space - and what he says is gospel, really."
Drew GINN (AUS)
On if they wanted to beat the British four:
"Ah, look, the field is so close. It would have been nice to get the one-up."
On changing race strategy:
"We just have to stick to our guns. We race the way we want to."
James CHAPMAN (AUS)
On having more speed:
"We still feel like we've got plenty of speed. We're a really fast crew."
On the rivalry with the British crew:
"The English press are trying to get hope in a pretty disappointing Olympics so far."
Women's Lightweight Double
Anne Lolk THOMSEN/Juliane RASMUSSEN (DEN) after qualifying for the A final of the lightweight women's double sculls by finishing second to China in the semifinal at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On being in third for the first half of the race:
"The start wasn't perfect but we picked it up well. We were more aggressive in the first 1000 (metres) than in our heat and we know we're really strong in the last 1000."
On being a kayaker until 2009:
"Becoming a rower has been a dream come true for me. I've accomplished the Olympics and now accomplished a final."
Juliane RASMUSSEN (DEN)
On making the Olympic A finals at her third attempt:
"When I asked Anne to come to the Olympics with me it was with that goal in mind. We knew the semi would be tough today but the final is going to be a good race and it'll be close."
XU Dongxiang/HUANG Wenyi (CHN) after winning the second semifinal in the lightweight women's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday and qualifying for the final.
On competing at her third Olympic Games:
"I can definitely row better and will improve on my previous finishes in Athens and Beijing. But our greatest opponent is ourselves."
HUANG Wenyi (CHN)
On competing at her first Olympic Games:
"I feel refreshed, there's not too much pressure. Doing well is my first priority."
Christina GIAZITZIDOU (GRE) after coming second in the semifinal of the lightweight women's double sculls behind Great Britain at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On being rowed through by Great Britain after a fast start in the semifinal:
"The semifinal is a very tricky race. You feel you are doing well and yet the next thing you know you can be out of the final - the teams are very tight. It's one race, and every race is different. We're in the final. We try to win."
On what she and Alexandra TSIAVOU (GRE) will do to prepare for the final on Saturday:
"Right now all the preparation we had to do it is done. We must concetrate and have the right psychology and also relax to do our best for the final."
Katherine COPELAND/Sophie HOSKING (GBR) after winning their semifinal of the lightweight women's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Katherine COPELAND (GBR)
On qualifying for the final:
"It's just a big relief, we just needed to get to the final and now we can just enjoy it. When we're relaxed that's when we're the best."
"It was a good solid race, we went off quite hard at the start."
On her Olympic dreams:
"To begin with, I thought it would be good to be in Rio (2016), but, nothing beats this."
Sophie HOSKING (GBR)
On the way they row together:
"I think we talk a lot about calm intensity. We have to move our boat but stay calm with that."
On the semifinal:
"It was a very pressurised race. We're through that hurdle and have a day to compose ourselves."
Men's Lightweight Double
Pietro RUTA/Elia LUINI (ITA) after finishing fifth in their lightweight men's double sculls semifinal at Eton Dorney on Thursday to qualify for Saturday's B final.
On the performance:
"The level was very high. It was difficult for us from the start. It's a new team, a new boat."
Pietro RUTA (ITA)
On the race:
"Lady luck was not on our side today."
Mads RASMUSSEN/Rasmus QUIST (DEN) after winning the first lightweight men's double sculls semifinal at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On how it feels to hold the world's fastest time:
"It gives us confidence and shows that we have rowed good races. In these conditions, it is safe. If there is a good tailwind, it could be in danger."
On the race:
"We rowed ourselves into a good position and we have had good races. We had a good training camp and this has put us in a strong position. It is exciting to see how much we have improved with our training."
Mads RASMUSSEN (DEN)
On the race:
"We kept a very good high pace and rated almost 40 (strokes per minute) through the first 500m, which is higher than usual for us. Our plan was to stay with the pack and not get behind. Then we settled into a good rhythm for the middle 1000m so that we had a good sprint."
"The plan was to lift the rate by two (strokes per minute) as we got into the final 500m, but in this race that was not necessary, we managed to save a bit of energy."
Chief coach Balazs SZEKELY (HUN) after his lightweight men's double sculls crew of Zolt HIRLING/Tamas VARGA (HUN) finished fifth in the second semifinal at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On the race:
"They raced very well, they've done everything that they could. That was enough for this fifth place."
"Those who progressed to the A final were better today."
"Their big dream (to reach the final) didn't come true, so that's why we're a bit sad now. We'll try to help them to recover and row an excellent final B."
On the future for the crew:
"We hope that their work will be a good example for all Hungarian rowers. The others will see that they achieved an Olympic final B, and even to reach this, how hard you have to work."
On their result:
"This performance is surely better than at the last Olympic Games (where they were 14th). This can give confidence to all Hungarian rowers."
"I hope that this will strengthen the young rowers at home, and in Rio (2016) they'll compete. If they will be as professional and will keep on moving as much as VARGA and HIRLING, we can trust in a good performance at Rio."
Stany DELAYRE (FRA) and Jeremie AZOU (FRA) after finishing second behind Great Britain in their semifinal of the lightweight men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Stany DELAYRE (FRA)
On expectations for the final:
"At the Olympic Games everyone starts on the same level. It's not because we already won a world cup that we are better, but we are young and we are here to ruffle the feathers of some people who are already established. We know what a final is and we will try to row a great race."
"In a semifinal you have everything to lose, in a final you have everything to win."
On the British team (PURCHASE/HUNTER):
"They rowed a great semifinal but they beat us in a semifinal before, and in the final that followed we beat them. Just like us, they are used to these kind of finals."
On plans after the Games:
"We are still sticking around for one more week after our final, to make the most of this great global event that is the Olympic Games. After this we are going home to spend some time with people close to us. We haven't seen them for two, two and a half months. After that we start working for the next event."
Jeremie AZOU (FRA)
On the final:
"We must be focused on all the boats. Great Britain will be strong in the final but so will New Zealand."
On rowing conditions:
"It's not the best conditions but it's normal in a regatta. I hope that there will be less wind in the final."
Zac PURCHASE/Mark HUNTER (GBR) after winning their semifinal of the lightweight men's double sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
Zac PURCHASE (GBR)
On reaching the final after a poor season:
"We have had a pretty dodgy season so far, but we are out here to do well."
"It was good, just a semifinal but we were happy that we've got into the final in a winning position."
On the noise from the grandstands:
"Thank God there's no roof here, because it would have been gone a long time ago. The crowd are incredible."
Mark HUNTER (GBR)
On the crosswind at Eton Dorney:
"It didn't look the fairest conditions at the start. The wind is slightly cross today but we stuck to our rhythm."
On the support of the British crowd:
"I've never before been cheered when we were just warming up."
Women's Single
Miroslava (known as Mirka) KNAPKOVA (CZE) after finishing first in her semifinal of the women's single sculls at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On her performance:
"It was quite a good semifinal but the weather wasn't so good. The atmosphere makes up for it though. It's amazing, especially hearing the spectators cheering."
On the final:
"Nothing is sure in the final. I will have to race but am very much looking forward to it."
"Every competitor is dangerous and everyone wants to win. Everyone does their maximum. I will have to fight."
Ekaterina KARSTEN (BLR) after finishing third in the semifinal of the women's single sculls behind Miroslava KNAPKOVA (CZE) and Fie Udby ERICHSEN (DEN) and qualifying for Saturday's final, at Eton Dorney on Thursday.
On racing with a rib injury:
"I feel just great, really well."
On plans for Saturday's final:
"We'll just have to see what happens."
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