The Premier, Lara Giddings, tonight congratulated the Australian Lightweight Four crew of Sam Beltz, Anthony Edwards, Todd Skipworth and Ben Cureton who narrowly missed out on a medal in the Olympic final.

"This was a gallant performance by a team which is based in Tasmania and features two Tasmanian athletes, Sam and Anthony and those based here in Tasmania," Ms Giddings said. 

"The crew has used the Franklin River as its base and the athletes have done all their strength, conditioning and testing training at the TIS facility at the Technopark in Glenorchy.

"The margins in rowing are often incredibly tight and Tasmanians will share the heartbreak of the crew after they came so close to winning a medal."

Ms Giddings said tonight's courageous performance follows the silver medal won by Kate Hornsey last night in the pairs and Kerry Hore and Dana Faletic rowing courageously in the final of the quad scull.