IT TOOK an occasion as momentous as being named one of Team GB’s Olympic opening ceremony flag-bearers to surprise even-keeled rower Helen Glover, who this afternoon in Paris reached her fourth Olympic final.

The two-time Olympic champion, 38, has now twice staged comebacks — once after announcing her retirement in 2016 to start a family before returning for the Olympics three years ago in Tokyo, then declaring her surprise intent to aim for the podium again in Paris.

Reflecting on her Friday night honour as flag-bearer, Glover said: “It actually gave me a massive boost. I didn’t really expect it to, but it’s almost like you get told and you feel that little bit prouder.