OXFORD'S Andy Triggs Hodge revealed the pressure Britain’s men’s four felt under before winning their Olympic gold medal.

The 33-year-old stroked Britain to victory alongside Oxford Blue Pete Reed, Henley’s Tom James and Leander’s Alex Gregory at Eton Dorney.

But amid the crew’s incredible joy after the race, Triggs Hodge also spoke of the apprehension they had felt.

“It was utterly terrifying,” said the double gold medallist.

“At Beijing and Athens, I was having terrible nerves, but we had no idea what was happening back home in Great Britain.

“Here we really felt it every day. There was so much help and good will coming our way.

“It gave us a lot of belief and confidence, but also it put us close to the edge where it could be great or a disaster.”

Britain led from the start to see off a stirling challenge from Australia and USA, completing the 2km course in 6mins 3.97secs.

Australia clocked 6.05.19 for second, with USA getting bronze in 6.07.20.

Victory completed a turnaround for Triggs Hodge and Reed, who had had three silver medal years as a pair before coach Jurgen Grobler put them back in the four.

Asked about his future and the possibility of carrying on to the next Games in Rio, Triggs Hodge added: “Tomorrow is another day.

“Rio will be a much bigger challenge if I decide to go ahead.

“You fight for every day. Just like we did for this one.”

Reed said: “I knew we have never been beaten in the last 500m, so I had confidence there.

“I waited for the right time and said go at 500 and go again at 300 to go.

“We didn’t stop. I was counting five strokes at a time and just praying that the finish line came before the Australians and it did.”