Preston rower Graeme Thomas achieves Rio dream

The 26-year-old, pictured above, will go gunning for gold in the quadruple scull alongside team-mates Peter Lambert, Sam Townsend and Angus Groom.

The former Corpus Christi Catholic High School pupil learned of his selection yesterday when Team GB announced 43 names who will be on the plane to Brazil.

It is several years of hard work for Thomas, who only took up the sport at the age of 20-year-old after being spotted as somebody with elite-level potential.

He narrowly missed out on gaining selection for the London Olympics, but virtually rubberstamped his spot in Rio by coming second to 2012 bronze medal winner Alan Campbell in the Olympic Trials single scull race earlier this year.

Lancaster duo Polly Swann and Scott Durant have also been confirmed in the squad for Rio.