Sholto Carnegie has vowed to keep things simple when he bids for a maiden Olympic gold this weekend.

The Oxford rower, 29, helped steer the men’s eight straight through to Saturday’s final as they earned an impressive victory in their heat.

The crew arrive highly-fancied to return Great Britain to the top of the podium in the event having won two World Championship golds and three European titles in this cycle.

“There is always expectation but we have to keep the focus in the crew and do the simple things right,” he said.

“That’s what we’ve done all the way through this Olympiad and we’re just going to keep going.

“It is very different to Tokyo. It is amazing having all the crowds. We just have to keep pushing on, using it, embracing it. There’s one more race to go and it’s very exciting.

“We just have to keep doing our thing, enjoying each other’s company and searching for more.

“That’s the exciting thing about a regatta. It’s not one of those events where you just get one chance, you learn about yourself every time you go out and race.”

Carnegie is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on his pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

Having been part of the men’s four which finished fourth in Tokyo, he has thrived since moving into the eight and is relishing the improved atmosphere in the camp this time around.

The location of Stade Nautique de Vaires-sur-Marne means Britain’s rowers are not staying in the athlete’s village, which is almost 40km away.

Instead they are cooped up with the canoeists, leading to a feelgood factor in the camp when Kimberley Woods returned with her K1 bronze medal.

“It’s really great,” Carnegie said. “Being part of Team GB is something very special.

“It’s fun trreyo see all the other sports doing well to power us on.

“Being part of a really professional, exciting set-up is special so we are going to keep enjoying it and keep doing our best.”

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