Events and Athletes Discussion

[EIIR]

They didn't just win, they very nearly lapped their opponents (USA). Quite amazing.

Nice also to see Sir Paul McCartney, Lady McCartney and Stella McCartney in the crowd at the velodrome. Sir Paul joined in with the crowd singing Hey Jude while waving his little Union Jack. Slightly surreal.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Finally we got our first gold medal at these Olympic Games, how joyous! Even more so because we also got a silver medal and a finale, I'd say today hasn't been the shabbiest day for Denmark

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by EIIR

We've always been traditionally good at rowing. Think of the Oxford v Cambridge boat race which is a really huge sporting event in the UK. Rowing tends to be one of the biggest sports at fee-paying schools - the rowing event at London 2012 is being held at Eton Dorny, which is owned by Eton College, whose past pupils include Princes William and Harry.

Sailing is also one of those sports that is part of the British social season for the upper classes especially - think Henley Royal Regatta and Cowes Week.

Cycling is something that Britain have just become really good at over the last 10 years or so. Dave Brailsford is a revolutionary coach who has transformed British cycling from bit part players, to dominating at Olympic Games and even in the Tour de France, where British cyclists finished 1st and 2nd this year. Brailsford should be the subject of books and documentaries because what he has done is truly amazing.

Thanks! That was very informative!!

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

Finally we got our first gold medal at these Olympic Games, how joyous! Even more so because we also got a silver medal and a finale, I'd say today hasn't been the shabbiest day for Denmark

Congratulations! This is the first time I have really gotten a non-U.S. perspective on the Olympics. It has been quite enlightening.

[Archduchess Zelia]

Originally Posted by Erin9

Congratulations! This is the first time I have really gotten a non-U.S. perspective on the Olympics. It has been quite enlightening.

Thank you
I must say it was rather up-lifting with some wins after yesterdays many disappointments in swimming, badminton and handball.

[Mrs. Hamzah]

team GB you are wonderful making us proud of u

[Empress Merel]

It's a Dutch partaaaay Ranomi swam to gold again in an Olympic record. Marleen Veldhuis, after becoming a mother and swimming her last race ever, won the bronze.

[Artemisia]

Congratulations, Empress Merel and Archduchess Zelia (the Netherlands and Denmark) with your successes!
Rasmussen, Quist (Denmark), Kromowidjojo and Veldhuis (the Netherlands) did really well.

China has overtaken the USA to lead the table again, so the current standings:
China: 25 Gold - 16 Silver - 11 Bronze = 52 Total
USA: 25 Gold - 11 Silver - 14 Bronze = 50 Total
United Kingdom: 11 Gold - 7 Silver - 8 Bronze = 26 Total
South Korea: 9 Gold - 3 Silver - 5 Bronze = 17 Total
France: 8 Gold - 6 Silver - 8 Bronze = 22 Total

[EIIR]

I have to say, Ian Thorpe is a really interesting and engaging pundit. He's been on the BBC's team at the swimming and I've really enjoyed listening to him. He's a credit to Australia.

I've also loved Mark Cavendish as a pundit at the velodrome. He missed out on his big chance at gold and could've headed to the beach to lick his wounds. Instead he's explaining all the intricacies of the track cycling events and really reveling in GB's victories.

It's odd the way some sportsmen and women make great commentators or pundits while others are just so awful to listen to.

[Lumutqueen]

I love Mark, but I've hated Ian I find him truly annoying. I've also enjoyed Mark Foster with the lion

[Artemisia]

Michael Phelps swam his last race as the US took gold in 4x100 medley relay.
That made it Michael's 18th Gold and 22nd overall medal.
It's going to be pretty hard to break that record!

The win also allowed the US to re-take the lead, so:
USA: 26 Gold - 11 Silver - 14 Bronze = 51 Total
China: 25 Gold - 16 Silver - 12 Bronze = 53 Total
United Kingdom: 11 Gold - 7 Silver - 8 Bronze = 26 Total
South Korea: 9 Gold - 3 Silver - 5 Bronze = 17 Total
France: 8 Gold - 6 Silver - 8 Bronze = 22 Total

(If anyone finds this standings charts inappropriate and not in the spirit of the Olympic Games, I'm really sorry for that: I just think it's quite fun to watch the teams' progresses as well, not just the athletes).

[Lumutqueen]

I think Jess Ennis just got gold for the heptathlon but I'm kinda confused.

Something must have been wrong with the athlete that came last she looked in serious pain. Now I'm looking forward to Mo that will be a real race.

[EIIR]

She did just get gold. I'm so thrilled for her; she has been under more pressure than any British athlete at these Games. She deserves it!

[Artemisia]

Congratulations to Jessica Ennis with her victory in Women's Heptathlon!!!!
She finished first in her Heat (the last, 4th one), adding 984 points to her 5971, meaning she comfortably won the Heptathlon with 6955 points.

Hers was the 4th Gold medal for Team GB today.

[Lumutqueen]

Mo Farah just started the 10k. I'm not going to watch the whole 25/6 laps so I may miss the end.

Greg Rutherford is Olympic Champion in Long Jump, can we make it three golds in one night?

[Artemisia]

Good luck to Mohamed Farah and Chris Thompson in Men's 10,000m.
Another Gold medal in store for Team GB could come from Greg Rutherford who is currently in the lead in Men's Long Jump.

Six Gold Medals in a day sounds better than four, doesn't it?

[EIIR]

Gold for GB in the long jump!!!! Unbelievable! Well done Greg Rutherford! This deserves another three of these:

[Artemisia]

Oh, my - Greg Rutherford just won Men's Long Jump!
That means 5 gold medals in one day, Team GB. Way to go!

[AdmirerUS]

I can only say...
Ennis gooooooooooooooooooooooold! So deserving!

[EIIR]

No-one saw Greg Rutherford as a potential gold medalist. I'm truly flabbergasted.

What a night for William and Kate to decide to go to the athletics.

[MagMil]

Originally Posted by Artemisia

Oh, my - Greg Rutherford just won Men's Long Jump!
That means 5 gold medals in one day, Team GB. Way to go!

Congrats just amazing