Rio golden boy Tom Ransley intends to continue rowing towards a third Olympics with a view to making it back-to-back glory at Tokyo 2020.

The 31-year-old from Woodchurch was in the No.2 seat as GB’s men’s eight romped to glory in Brazil ahead of old rivals Germany and the Netherlands in August.

It completed a whirlwind four years for Ransley who had to settle for bronze at the London 2012 Games after being overhauled by the Germans when they led in the closing stages.

Ransley’s post-Games progress has been hit by a freak injury sustained while travelling in the USA in October but after time for reflection, he has committed to another four-year cycle.

He revealed: “It’s a difficult decision and I thought I’d have more certainty about things than I do but my official answer is yes – I’m going for another Olympics.

“If you opt to continue, then you have to carry on for Tokyo.

“You don’t want to just let something happen. I want to keep all my options open and see how things progress. You can quite quickly find out if you’re enjoying it and the hunger is still there.

“It’s not much so much a physical decision, it’s more mental and whether you can come to terms with what you’re committing to.”

Ransley broke his collar bone during an awkward fall during a run in hills near San Francisco, which required surgery after his return to the UK in November.

He revealed: "The plan was always to take time away to clear my head and take a neutral decision but I have to get this injury right, regardless of anything else.

“I have been training as much as I am able to, while the bone repairs. My short-term goals are to strengthen my collar bone and get myself into the position where I can get back into a boat – which might be a month or more – and then to be competitive.

“GB trials are in April and you don’t just get into a boat based upon the fact you’re an Olympic champion.”

Along with his crew-mates, Ransley was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours, which he claimed came as a surprise.

He added: “When you set out to win the Olympics, that is the only thing you are thinking about, you don’t think about things like MBEs but it is a real honour and nice to have your achievement recognised. Plus it’s great for the sport.”