Copeland hoping to defend title in Rio

Olympic rowing champion Kat Copeland has put plans to retire on hold and confirmed she intends to defend her title at the Rio Games in 2016.

Copeland and Sophie Hosking won gold in the women's lightweight double sculls at London 2012.

And although Copeland revealed shortly afterwards she was considering ending her rowing career to pursue a degree at university, the 21-year-old is now determined to compete in four years' time.

"University is important, but I can go any time," she told BBC Sport.

"As a rower you have a limited lifespan so I want to make the most of it.

"Before London, I said we had no pressure and had nothing to lose because people weren't expecting us to win gold.

"But after winning gold, I still don't feel any pressure because I got what I wanted. I'm continuing because I love to row."

Fellow champions Heather Stanning, Helen Glover, Pete Reed and Alex Gregory have also confirmed their intentions to compete in Brazil.