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double sculls. And shortly after, the mixed coxed four of Grace Clough, Daniel Brown, Pamela Relph, James Fox and cox James Oliver underlined their status as the pre-race favourites with a fine display. Tom Aggar had to settle for bronze in the arms-shoulders single sculls.

At the Rio Velodrome, JonAllan Butterworth, below, became Britain’s first Iraq and Afghanistan veteran to win Paralympic gold. He is one of the most successful war veterans at these Games, having already won three silver medals at London 2012.

The 30-year-old had his left arm amputated above the elbow after a rocket blast at Basra Air Station while serving in Iraq in 2007. He won the C1-5 mixed team sprint with Jody Cundy and Louis Rolfe, overcoming the defending champions China in a worldrecord time of 48.635sec.

“I said before, I would trade all three silvers from London for this gold,” said Butterworth. “One gold – I am not greedy with that. I get more satisfaction with a team event when three people have to get it right on the night.”

Cundy, who was disqualified after a false start in an individual time trial at London 2012, added: “Four years ago, it was the lowest I have ever been in my life; now this is the highest I have ever felt. It’s a pleasure to go up there with