CONSTANTINE Louloudis has paid tribute to Eton Boat Club after being selected for his second Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old Londoner joins Alex Gregory, Mohammed Sbihi and George Nash in the four, and they are expected to be one of Great Britain’s best chances of a medal in Rio this summer.

The GB squad was revealed by British Rowing performance director Sir David Tanner in Henley last week.

On hearing the news, Louloudis told the Observer: “I’m obviously absolutely thrilled. This announcement is the final seal on what we have been working towards for a while and we’re all delighted that the opportunity is there now.”

Tanner is targeting a minimum of six medals in Brazil, with Louloudis and company among the favourites to deliver on the Rodrigo de Freitas Lake, which is overlooked by the Christ the Redeemer statue.

He accepts this will put extra pressure on them, but admits: “I’m sure we will do well. I want to win a gold medal because I have put in a lot of work to get there.”

Louloudis already has one Olympic medal in his collection having been in the eight boat who finished third at Eton, Dorney.

Looking back to 2012, he recalled: “We went for gold, but had to settle for bronze. I don’t think we were really good enough then and a bronze was a fair reflection, but this time we are good enough.”

The Oxford University Boat Club member is clearly on the crest of a wave, but he has not forgotten those who launched his career back in 2007.

“I started with Eton Boat Club,” said Louloudis, who took up rowing because he was “rubbish at cricket.”

“Without them I would never have started and so would not have been here and never learned the value of this sport. It was the best start I could have imagined.

“They have fantastic facilities and it makes such a difference being with so many committed athletes and really good coaches.”

His coach then was Alex Henshilwood.

“He left the club but is back there now and I still see him occasionally,” added Louloudis. “He’s a really good guy and I’m sure he is the best coach on the schools circuit.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: (l-r) the GB quad of Peter Lambert, Angus Groom, Sam Townsend and Graeme Thomas.

Also on the plane to Rio is Maidenhead resident Peter Lambert who joins Leander Club colleague Angus Groom, Reading’s Sam Townsend and Graeme Thomas in the quad.

“It goes without saying I’m very happy,” said 29-year-old Lambert, who has only been a member of the GB squad since the end of 2012.

“I’m quite a newcomer and and really excited about going to Rio as part of the quad. There is a very good vibe within the whole team.”

The squad are off to Poland this weekend for the third and final World Cup meeting.

“There will be strong competition, with some of the other Olympic qualifiers also there, so it will be a good test to see how we do. Hopefully we can do well, which will boost our confidence ahead of going to Rio.”

South African-born Lambert was forced to miss the last World Cup event in Lucerne after being taken ill the night before GB raced.

“I think it was food poisoning and I only got about two hours’ sleep that night. It wasn’t ideal for it to happen before race day, but I got over it quite quickly and was back in training two days later,” he said.

On that occasion, Lambert was replaced by Jack Beaumont, also from Maidenhead, and he proved a superb sub as they won the silver medals.

Windsor resident Jono Clegg is also in the GB squad, competing in lightweight fours with Chris Bartley, Mark Aldred and Peter Chambers.

The 27-year-old took up the sport at Sir William Borlase School, Marlow, where he still coaches.