Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: British four reach semis

Great Britain's rowing quartet battled hard to qualify for the semi-final of the men's coxless fours.

The team of Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell, Ed Coode and Steve Williams led from the start and fended off the Italian challenge to win their heat.

Meanwhile, fellow Britons Cath Bishop and Katherine Grainger will have to qualify for the final of the coxless pairs the hard way.

They came second in their heat and will now go into Monday's repechage.

The world champions, watched by Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie at rowing's Schinias Centre, finished behind the pair from Belarus.

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