Modest medal grant for Purchase

Purchase won the World Lightweight Single Sculls title in 2006

Tewkesbury's Olympic gold medallist Zac Purchase has revealed the financial backing he receives to row for Team GB is just £25,000 a year.

His grant from the National Lottery has to cover training expenses, including flights around the world, living costs and all his kit.

Purchase told the BBC: "I'm definitely in this for the racing and for crossing the line first, that's why I do it."

Purchase and Mark Hunter won the lightweight double sculls in Beijing.

They were Britain's first ever gold medallists in the event, after a season when they were unbeaten in all three rounds of the World Cup series.

Purchase added : "There are other sports that you would class as money sports, for example football, golf and tennis.

"My parents tried to make me play tennis for a bit but I couldn't hit the ball very well."