The Oxfordshire coach behind Britain’s first gold medal of London 2012 played down his own role in their success.

Robin Williams, who lives in Henley, coached Helen Glover and Heather Stanning to gold in the women’s pairs rowing at Eton Dorney on Wednesday.

The 53-year-old, who used to run the Totally Outdoors shop in the town, said: “Those girls were so motivated to win that race. “The fact of it being the Olympics and Britain’s first gold medal makes it 100 times better.

“But they didn’t need that extra support from me going into the race. They were motivated and ready for it.

“I am just incredibly proud of them.

“The row itself, with my coaching hat on, was the best I could ask of them.

“They have worked really, really hard over the last two years, hours on the rowing machine, lifting weights, cycling up and down mountains in Majorca.

“It has all been worth it.”