Campbell fifth in Olympic final

Coleraine's Alan Campbell finished fifth in the Olympic final

Northern Ireland rower Alan Campbell finished fifth in Saturday's Olympic single sculls final.

The gutsy Coleraine competitor, considered an outside medal chance after a knee operation, started strongly and led early on.

He was second at the 1000 metres halfway mark, but could not live with the pace of Olympic champion Olaf Tufte who clinched gold for a second time.

The Norwegian won from Ondrej Synek and world champion Mahe Drysdale.

It was always going to be a struggle for 25-year-old Campbell whose preparations were disrupted two months ago when he required surgery for a knee infection.

So it proved and, though he dug in, he finished in a time of 7.04.47, almost five seconds behind the winner.

"I feel I can hold my head high. I did my best and that is all you can ask," said Campbell.

"This is not the last you have seen of me. We will put together another four-year plan and I feel I can step up from here.

"I will be 29 at London in 2012 so I have time on my side.

"I have worked so hard this year but I will train even harder."

Men's single sculls final : 1 Olaf Tufte (Nor) 6:59.83; 2 Ondrej Synek (Cze) 7:00.63; 3 Mahe Drysdale (NZ) 7:01.56; 4 Tim Maeyens (Bel) 7:03.40; 5 Alan Campbell (GB) 7:04.47; 6 Lassi Karonen (Swe) 7:07.64