ROWER Pete Reed has the world at his feet after winning his third Olympic title, according to two-time medallist Alex Partridge, writes Katie Falkingham.

A member of Great Britain’s men’s eight, 35-year-old Reed and his crewmates cruised to gold at Rio’s Lagoa Stadium, crossing the line just ahead of the German boat which had been anticipated to give the Brits a tighter battle for that illustrious gold medal.

The victory was the first time a British boat had won the eight since Sydney 2000, and was Reed’s third Olympic gold having claimed top spot in the men’s four at both the Beijing and London Games.

And according to Partridge, who won silver and bronze in Beijing and London respectively, former Cirencester Deer Park pupil Reed and the rest of the boat should take immense pride from their achievements on the greatest sporting stage of all.

“I think the men’s eight is possibly the hardest race in the men’s rowing programme at the moment,” said Partridge.

“It’s got the strongest crews and the strongest depth across the field, and there were four boats that could have potentially won that race.

“The crew that showed up in the heats really showed up on the day of the final, and I had absolutely every faith that they would put in a huge performance.

“It’s the first time we have won gold in both the four and the eight since Sydney 2000, and that is a phenomenal result.

“To do it twice, it’s hats off to the team and to the guys, and it’s hats off to Jurgen Grobler, the head coach.”

Like Partridge, Reed and five of his crewmates are members of Leander Club, the most successful rowing club in the world with 123 Olympic medals to its name after the close of the rowing programme in Rio.

And that, according to Partridge, is one of the reasons why Reed continues to achieve great success on the world stage.

“I joined Leander Club at the end of 2004 just before the Athens Olympics,” he said. “Leander Club has always been a huge support to me through my journey to help me go on to win Olympic silver and bronze.

“The fact that they have the ability to do that is largely due to Invesco Perpetual’s partnership with the club and the investment they put into the future of Olympic rowing."

Invesco Perpetual is the proud supporter of Leander Club, the most successful rowing club in the world, with 123 Olympic and one Paralympic rowing medals won by its members since 1908.