Glagow's Katherine Grainger becomes Britain's most decorated female Olympian after medal win in Rio
Britain's success at the Rio Olympics continued as Glasgow's Katherine Grainger and her Team GB partner Victoria Thornley rowed their way to a silver medal - but the pair came agonisingly close to gold.
Britain's success at the Rio Olympics continued as Glasgow's Katherine Grainger and her Team GB partner Victoria Thornley rowed their way to a silver medal - but the pair came agonisingly close to gold.
Their second place in the women's double sculls made Grainger the country's most successful female Olympian in terms of medals.
Grainger and Thornley were tipped to scoop a gold during the 2,000m race, but were beaten by Poland after a very close contest.
On Wednesday, British athletes had their most successful day at the Games with a flurry of podium places.
Diving duo Jack Laugher and Chris Mears joined kayaker Joe Clarke in powering Team GB to their second and third gold medals of 2016 after a stunning day in Rio.
There were bronze medals for gymnast Max Whitlock, shooter Steven Scott, Tour de France cycling champion Chris Froome, and judo's Sally Conway.
Stewart Harris, sportscotland's chief executive watched the rowers win silver at the Lagoa Stadium in Rio.
He said: "I am absolutely delighted to see Scotland's Katherine Grainger winning yet another Olympic medal to add to her gold from London, and silvers from Sydney, Barcelona and Athens. She and partner Vicky Thornley didn't have the easiest journey into these Games so to see their perseverance rewarded with an Olympic medal for Team GB is terrific.
"Katherine is now Britain's most decorated female Olympian, an accolade that has come as the result of her complete commitment and dedication to her sport. Katherine is an incredible role model, inspiring others to be the best that they can be and leading by example.
"At sportscotland we are working closely with Scottish Rowing to continue her legacy by creating more opportunities to take up the sport at every level and ensuring that the athletes receive the right support services to allow them to deliver world-class performances, just as Katherine has done throughout her incredible career."
Grainger, 40, now has one gold and four silver medals from her five Olympic Games - taking the title of most decorated female British Olympian from swimmer Rebecca Adlington.
The athlete and her 28-year-old rowing partner led the race at Rio almost all the way through, but the Polish crew edged ahead at the end - leaving a mere 0.95s gap between the boats.
Their journey to Brazil has been bumpy: they abandoned their double scull project midway through the season but reformed after failing to qualify for seats in the eight.
Grainger returned to the sport less than two years ago having completed a PhD in the sentencing of homicide at King's College London.
Grainger's mum Liz, speaking from her home in Edinburgh, said she felt "tension and then slight disbelief that she was in medal position" during the race.
"We're thrilled to get a silver medal," she said.
"Four silvers and a gold so no-one can complain about that.
"She was interviewed after the race and she said a few months a go she would've just died at the thought of getting any medals, so to get a silver and so close to gold is pretty exceptional.
"They did ask about Tokyo in four years time and I'm delighted to say she looked at the camera and said: 'I promise you mum and I will not put you through that.'
"So that's a relief."
Linda Carter and husband Andrew were among a handful of people who watched the race in an Olympic fan park set up in Glasgow's Merchant Square.
Mrs Carter said: "I can't claim to be the biggest rowing fan but it's a great achievement to win a silver medal, and particularly at the age of 40.
"I get tired just watching it so I have no idea how they keep going for so long."
Grainger, who grew up in Glasgow and now lives in London near to the GB rowing squad base, took up rowing at Edinburgh University in 1996 while studying law.