TOM James is ready to bathe in the golden glory of being a double Olympic champion – but for his former King’s School Chester rowing partner and fellow London 2012 medallist Chris Bartley, thoughts are already turning to the next Olympics in Rio in 2016.

James was part of the men’s four boat which sensationally swept aside arch rivals Australia at Eton Dorney on Saturday to ensure Great Britain won the sport’s flagship event for the fourth successive Games following triumphs in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.

The victory was one of six Team GB enjoyed on what has been billed as one of the greatest days in British sporting history.

It was James’ second Olympic gold medal after his success in the four at Beijing in 2008.

The 28-year-old, who is also a reigning world champion in the boat made famous by Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, has made no plans over whether to compete in Brazil in four years time.

Instead James plans to let his achievement – made more incredible by the fact he has a recurring heart problem – in London ‘sink in’ and ‘relax’.

Debut Olympian Bartley, 28, also needs time to reflect on the dramatic silver he won as part of Great Britain’s lightweight men’s four boat.

But, unlike James, he has Rio in his sights.

Former world champion Bartley, from Farndon, said: “I’ve achieved more than I ever expected to achieve in the sport but I haven’t quite achieved what I could have achieved.

“So if I’m fit and well and still in good enough physical shape, then I’ll carry on to the next Olympics.”

Bartley and his crewmates captivated the nation with their performance in their final at Eton Dorney last Thursday.

They edged defending champions Denmark into third but were pipped for first place by South Africa.

Strokeman Bartley, who had to be helped from the boat at the end, said: “I was sick about 10 times after the race and I didn’t enjoy the medal ceremony as much as I would have liked but that’s what we had to do to get there.

“Yes it was stressful but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The support was fantastic and I’m sure it helped us move from bronze to silver.”

The noise levels at Eton Dorney moved up a notch when James helped the men’s four power to the sweetest and most emphatic of victories over the Australians on Saturday.

James, who hails from Coedpoeth near Wrexham, said: “It’s still sinking in. To do in it your home nation, against such tough opposition who had been pretty loud about their chances and had been in our face – you couldn’t have written a more perfect script.

“It’s pretty amazing to be a double Olympian but the whole experience has been really memorable. There is so much goodwill around the country at the moment, such a nice feeling, and I couldn’t have asked for more.”

It is a sentiment that Bartley, who like James was taught to row on the River Dee by Neville Orme while a student at King’s, definitely shares.

He said: “I’m incredibly proud to be part of what is probably going to be the best British Olympic team ever.”

The British rowing squad’s haul of four gold, two silver and three bronze medals was their best at an Olympics.