As he prepares to take part in his second Olympic Games, rower Tom Ransley says the lessons learned from London 2012 will help him and his crew in their quest for gold in Rio.

The 30-year-old from Woodchurch starts the heats of the men’s eight on Monday (1.10pm BST) as he bids to improve upon the bronze he won four years ago.

That day at Eton Dorney GB led the field until the later stages when powerhouses Germany overhauled them to take gold, with the spent British crew then being pipped by Canada for silver.

Ransley said: “One of the benefits of having competed in a previous Games is that I know the level of intensity required.

“We led them in the final but they came back and in the end you have to take your hats off to the Germans and Canada took their opportunity.

“In the immediate aftermath of the disappointment when you’re going for gold and don’t get it, there is a feeling of devastation and then you’re almost numb. It doesn’t matter in that moment whether you have got bronze or silver - it just mattered that you didn’t have gold.”

He added: “It took me a long time to watch it back, I did watch it a few times eventually but not for a few years now.

“I know we did everything we could to win that day. We gave it our all. Every day since that day I have become more proud of what we achieved that day and having a tangible reminder, something to show people and take into schools, is something I am grateful for.”

In a break from his usual reserved persona, Ransley admitted: “I am excited. It feels kind of real now. The main anticipation for me is the feeling of being on the start line of the Olympics.

“We are going for gold. There is sure to be a huge buzz and I want to test myself against the best, in that one moment where everyone is going for it with everything they have.

“Someone in our team has a picture of the finish line which he attached to his kit bag and we get to see it all the time.

“Everyone has been focused on the Olympics. This is the moment that matters more than any other.

“We have 100% focus on our processes and delivering the best performance possible.”

The final of the men’s eight is at 7.34pm BST on Saturday, August 13.