Gold medal-winning rower Helen Glover has said she is more proud of motherhood than her Olympic prowess.

Glover won gold with rowing partner Heather Stanning at the 2012 London Olympics, but said giving birth to her son Logan was a greater accomplishment.

The athlete is married to TV naturalist Steve Backshall, and the pair welcomed their son last July.

They had been expecting twins, but lost one of the babies a few months earlier in April.

Rio Olympic Games 2016 – Day Seven
Helen Glover, left, and Heather Stanning won gold at the 2012 London Olympics (Mike Egerton/PA)

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Glover said the responsibilities of parenthood are opposed to her competitive sporting nature, and have changed her outlook on life.

She said: “I never anticipated loving motherhood so much. I was proud of what my body could do as a rower but I am even prouder of it as a mother.

“As a mum you become so aware of what your body is capable of.

“The thing about being an athlete is that you are totally selfish and your world is very small and it revolves around you.

“But when you are a mum you have to be totally selfless as you have something that is far more important than you. Everything comes second.”

Glover said she is a relaxed mother, and her son is already displaying a love of the outdoors like his parents, and enjoys swimming.

You can read the full article in Hello!, which is out now.