¡¡ ATHENS, Aug. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Briton Matthew Pinsent, winner of last three Olympics, won his fourth consecutive Olympic gold, one behind his former partner, another rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave. Elisabeta Lipa of Romania continued her acme by nettingher eighth Olympic medal.

    Both veteran rowers, Pinsent and Lipa reinforced their legend in a homecoming Olympics, showcasing their strong will and peak form.

    Pinsent's Olympic winning history dated back to 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, when he won gold in men's pair with Steve Redgrave.In the Atlanta Olympics, the duo successfully defended their title.As for Sydney, Pinsent crowned in men's four and now he made it again.

    Pinsent, 34, obviously tired after years' of hard training and fierce competitions, said that he might retire after the Games.

    Redgrave described his former partner as "incredible" and wished him good luck in the future.

    In the women's eight, 39-year-old Elisabeta Lipa was jubilated over her eighth Olympic medal.

    Early in 1984, Lipa won a gold in women's doubles, her very first Olympic medal. From then on, she put on a more fantastic show by bagging a silver and a bronze both in Seoul and in Barcelona, and two golds in Atlanta and Sydney each.

    Like Pinsent, Lipa would also retire. "It was my last race. We worked for four years to do this. I dedicate the medal to Romania." she said after Sunday's race.

    Representing Romania, Lipa was proud of her country as it topped the rowing medal table by lifting three golds, followed by Germany with two golds and two silvers. Britain came third with one gold, two silvers and one bronze. Enditem