Wilkes beat reigning Olympic 100m breastroke champion and fellow Derbyshire athlete Adam Peaty at freestyle swimming before switching to rowing.

“I was a swimmer from a young age, so there were a lot of early mornings and my parents had to make a lot of sacrifices to get me to training,” he said.

“Especially in recent years, when I’ve been taking it more seriously and trying to avoid getting ill and stuff. I’ve had to miss friends’ birthdays and socialising opportunities – stuff I’d like to make amends for in the future.

“I need to get myself down to Matlock Bath because there’s a nice canoe slalom course.

“We’re staying in the same room as the canoe kayakers, so I’m hoping they can give me a tip or two.”

Also a mountain biker with a masters degree in sustainable energy systems, Wilkes will be in good company before he heads home following the Olympics closing ceremony on 11 August.

“There’s absolutely support there for each other within Team GB,” he said. “Just talking with other athletes is the most special part of the Olympics.”