Helen Glover missed out on a third Olympic title as Great Britain were agonisingly edged out in a dramatic women’s four final at Paris 2024.

The mum-of-three, who won pairs gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, took four years out of the sport before the Tokyo Olympics and 12 months off after those Games before deciding to come back for more.

Alongside Rebecca Shorten, Esme Booth and Sam Redgrave, the 38-year-old helped the British crew gradually close the gap on the Netherlands after a fast start from the Dutch.

It was anyone’s race with 500 metres to go with the two crews neck and neck, and Britain looked as if they would just get the upper hand as they pushed for glory.

But the Netherlands held on to cross the line in six minutes 27.31 seconds – 0.18secs ahead of the British boat.

Afterwards Glover said: “I think today we put it all out there, we raced the plan we wanted to race, we raced together with so much heart. You know what, there can’t be regret looking back and knowing you did all you can.

“I think no matter how we do, they (family and friends) are the people we go back to who love us no matter what. So it’s really nice to have everyone out there and everyone who’s supported us from near and far.”

She hinted her glittering rowing career is over after being denied a third Olympic title by the wafer-thin margin of 0.18 seconds.

Glover, who won pairs gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 with Heather Stanning, took four years out of the sport before the Tokyo Olympics to start a family with her husband Steve Backshall, the naturalist, explorer and TV presenter.

She took another 12 months off after those Games before deciding to come back for more in the women’s four boat, despite now being a mother of three and trying to balance family commitments with rowing.

“Half the team think I’ll carry on, but I don’t plan to carry on,” said Glover, 38, whose children and husband were among the crowd at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

“My focus has been on crossing the finish line and then we’ll see.

“Right now I just want to spend time with my family and enjoy being mum.

“I’m not really thinking about rowing and I’ll take my time to reflect on the Olympics.

“It’s been totally different (build-up to Paris 2024) as my world doesn’t revolve around rowing or results.

“My world revolves around my kids, and this is just a really awesome extra I get to do.”

She added: “As far as our internal plan was concerned it went to plan and we did what we could,” said Glover, who would have become the first British woman to win three Olympic rowing golds.

“We all have to hold our heads high that we raced with heart and should be pretty proud coming away with a medal.

“You never think you have it won, but both crews would have believed the whole way that they could.

“You have to expect fine margins when you race the best in the world.

“We felt we raced every stroke we could and for these guys to win their first Olympic medal is a massive achievement.”