02/08/2012 BBC News at Ten

Tonight at 10.00pm, the best day yet for Team GB's athletes at

London 2012. The crowd is going absolutely mad. A gold medal for

Great Britain! Sir Chris Hoy takes a fifth Olympic title, equalling

the British record of five gold medals.

He and team-mates Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes triumph over France

in the final of the men's team sprint. Knew the importance of what

it was. I didn't want to let the boys down today. It was just

immense pride to be able to do it in the UK in front of this crowd.

It was just phenomenal. There was gold, too, for Peter

Wilson in the double trap shooting event.

Britain's canoeists took gold and silver in the two-man slalom.

And there was an unexpected silver for Team GB in the judo.

We'll be reporting on a day that's transformed Britain's position in

the medals table. Also tonight:

Kofi Annan, appointed by the UN to bring peace to Syria, has resigned.

Action within weeks - the European Central Bank promises help to

reduce borrowing costs for eurozone countries.

And Olympic achievement on a takes his 20th medal - 16 of them

gold. On BBC London, after this cyclist

is killed near the Olympic Park, new calls for better safety

measures, and why the Team GB gold medal rush is leaving even more

Good evening from the Olympic Park on the best day yet for Team GB.

Sir Chris Hoy has taken a fifth Olympic title. He and fellow

cyclists Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny smashed the world record as

they successfully defended their title in the men's team sprint. It

was a welcome boost after Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish were

disqualified in the women's team sprint. Our first report tonight is

by our sports editor David Bond. The Velodrome is arguably the

classiest venue on the Olympic Park, the perfect backdrop for a sport

Britain has come to dominate. The country's track cyclists have

already entered Olympic folklore - no wonder they could have sold it

out countless times over. The challenge for Sir Chris Hoy and his

team-mates, Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes, was to try to shut out the

distractions and huge the home crowd's rapturous goodwill to

inspire. The young Royals were on hand again and as if Chris Hoy and

co needed any extra pressure, someone else was in the hunt for

gold too. Prime Minister David Cameron has been waiting six days

to see first hand a British triumph. Would tonight be the night? Britain

are the reigning Olympic champions in the team sprint, but victory

against France in the final was by no means certain. Hoy and Kenny

were part of the sprint team which won in Beijing four years ago, but

German-born Hindes was a late addition. It's going to be an

absolute thriller. The 19-year-old didn't let his adopted country down,

putting in a powerful first leg against the French, and after

another magnificent lap from Kenny, it was left to Hoy to bring the

team in in a world-record time. No matter who you are, this was no

time to be reserved, as the curved roof of the Velodrome was taken off

by the delirious crowd. The 36- year-old has tasted this sort of

Olympic success before, but never at a home Games.

I dug deeper than I have ever dug before, and I knew the importance

of what it was. I didn't want to let the boys down. They have been

riding so well today. It's just immense pride to be able to do it

in front of this home crowd. It's phenomenal. Team GB officials are

hoping this becomes a familiar refrain in the Velodrome over the

next few days. We already knew that Sir Chris Hoy was very, very

special, but his victory in the team sprint in front of an ecstatic

home crowd has confirmed him as one of the icons of British sport.

(Playing God Save the Queen) The Scot's place in history is now

assured. He already has 11 World Championship titles - six Olympic

medals, stretching back to the Sydney Games in 2000, and now,

after tonight's performance, five golds, taking him level with

Britain's greatest Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave. Really fantastic,

so many medals and so much dedication, and that team is

obviously just a remarkable group of people. But it was a night of

mixed emotions for Team GB as Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish

suffered heartbreak in the women's sprint. They thought they'd made

the final. However, Pendleton went too early during a change-over, and

the pair were relegated. It's just of those things that happened, you

know? It's not Jess's fault. It's not my fault. We're both partly to

blame, really. We were probably just a bit too overwhelmed by the

whole thing, a bit excited by our ride and a bit eager. The gloomy

mood was quickly lifted when Hoy and his team delivered another

Olympic fairy tale. The word "legend" is often overused in sport,

but with one more shot at gold next week this modern-day sporting

superhero is standing on the edge of greatness.

Well, in the space of just five minutes this afternoon, Britain's

canoeists took both gold and silver in the two-man canoe slalom, and

Peter Wilson won gold in the double trap shooting event. Their wins

transformed Team GB's position in the medals table, as our

correspondent Joe Wilson reports. In Woolwich, south-east London,

they built a �30 million temporary venue so shooting would feel part

of the London Olympics. Maybe sometimes the sport feels

peripheral, not today. Peter is the double trap record holder, but he

had one reason for participating in shooting - to win Olympic gold.

Now, this sport is about precision of the mind and endurance.

APPLAUSE Two targets are released

simultaneously, each taking fire at each of them once, and so far, the

final has been going about ten minutes, and Peter Wilson's missed

just once. There are 25 rounds of shooting in the final, with five

left, Wilson had an uncomfortable lead, then the unthinkable - he

missed with both shots. Take note of that man's reaction. It came

down to the final two targets - Wilson had to hit one to win. He

got both. Did you feel nervous? Yeah, wow,

did I feel nervous. I looked across and allowed myself to have a quick

look at the board and I realised maybe - one. I thought, let's do

the pair. Let's do this and call it a day, and wow! Peter Wilson had

banked everything on this gold. At one stage, he'd relocated to Dubai

to learn from the best coach - remember him from the crowd? His

coach was there to greet him. At its best, the Olympics touch

everyone. Shooting and canoe slalom belong in

the same games. This pair shared that feeling of triumph, but their

sport is about adrenaline and strength. Their performance came

out of the blue. Ranked sixth in the world, they produced a perfect

run at the Lee Valley White Water Centre to shock the rest of the

pair. Last to go the second British pair, and guess what - they were

storming the course too. When they finished their run therefore,

something astonishing to report - Bailee and To the in first and

their training partners second, gold and silver. The sport had

never known anything like it in Britain. Opponents couldn't believe

their lives. The British medallists could barely squeeze into the

interview. You are the Olympic champions. It's weird. It doesn't...

It's weird. Doesn't seem quite like that's what could be happening.

This was another venue built at great expense for the Olympics for

this purpose. Gemma Gibbons has delivered

Britain's first Olympic judo medal in 12 years, defeating the world

champion in the semi-finals to win silver. The 25 year-old was brought

up in Greenwich just a few miles from the judo venue, and she

recently spent six months out of the sport after surgery. Our sports

correspondent James Pearce has the It's hard to imagine how much

tougher it could be for Gibbons. Let's hear the roar.

A semifinal against a French world champion - Gemma Gibbon had defied

the odds to get to this stage. Now she was just one more shock win

from an Olympic medal. With no points on the board after the

regulation five minutes, the contest went to golden score -

judo's equivalent of sudden-death extra time.

As she realised the enormity of what she'd achieved, she wept. What

a victory for a whom who had grown up just down the road in Greenwich.

What a moment for British judo. As she looked up to the sky, she

mouthed the words "I love you, mum." Her mother Jeanette died of

leukaemia eight years ago. In the final it was her opponent who wore

white, the American Kayla Harrison stood between Gibbons and a goad

medal. This is what makes the Olympics so special. This morning

only the keenest sports fans - even Gemma Gibbon - now the whole eyes

of the nation are on her. This time the crowd didn't get the result

they wanted. And it's not going to be gold. Gibbons had to settle for

silver, but she already had so many reasons to be proud. What a day,

Gemma? Yeah, a brilliant, brilliant day, really, really happy. At the

start of the day, realistically, what were you thinking you could

achieve On my best day I was hoping I could get near the medals, maybe

top seven. I have exceeded that, so I am over the moon. An Olympic

medal in her home city in front of thousands of patriotic supporters.

Gemma Gibbon -- Gemma Gibbons can tell you that dreams sometimes do

come true. So let's take a look at the

transformation in Team GB's standing in the medals table after

It's a good time for us to join our sports editor David Bond in the

Olympic Park to reflect on today's successes. What did you make of it?

Huw, it has been one of the most successful days in recent Olympic

history for Team GB, three golds, three silvers, and Team GB sitting

very prettily in fifth place looking well set to deliver on that

fourth place medal target, and you sensed some real momentum building

behind the team, but you know what was really interesting today was

the contrast in the sports which really delivered success. Yes, we

had track cycling. Yes, we had rowing but we also had less fancied

sports like shooting and judo delivering, really talking to that

mission for Team GB here, which is to deliver more medals across more

sports and reward that huge amount of investment, which has gone into

the team. The other thing which really fascinates me, Huw is the

contrasting characters between the people who delivered success today,

so you had Peter Wilson, a shooter who himself admits he normally

shoots in front of one man and a dog, and then, of course, a bona

fide sporting legend like Chris Hoy. Now, tomorrow, the whole Olympics

steps up another gear when the athletics gets under way in the

stadium behind me - a doubling of the number of people on this

Olympic Park. Up until now, it has been around 100,000. It should go

up to around 200,000 tomorrow and over the weekend, and you sense

with the track and field stars arriving and the smooth

organisation of these Games so far, and of course the success for Team

GB, that there's some real momentum By the way, we'll have more from

the Games later, including today's silver medal for the rowers at Eton

Dorney. Let's take a lack at the day's other main news. The mum

given the task of bringing peace to Syria, the UN envoy Kofi Annan has

resigned -- the man. He said it was impossible for him to do his job

and blamed the actions of the Syrian Government, the opposition

and what he called disunity among world leaders. There's been more

violence in Syria today with fighting in Damascus and in the

city of Aleppo, as our Diplomatic Correspondent, James Robbins,

reports. Five months ago, Kofi Annan was

given a Herculean task - to Makepeace between Syria's President

Assad and opposition rebels determined to bring him down. It

turned out to be Mission Impossible and today, Mr Annan announced his

resignation. He blamed the Syrian leader plairn, but the rebels and

the outside world too -- in particular. The bloodshed continues.

Most of all, because of Syrian Governments' intransigence and

continuing refusal to implement the six-point plan. And also because of

the escalating military campaign of the opposition, all of which is

compounded by the disunity of the international community.

Mr Annan's ceasefire plan was increasingly ignored by both sides.

The Government, far from pulling back, was widely blamed for

civilian massacres. But the rebels stepped up their

attacks too. Still outgunned but now far better

organised and equipped. Kofi Annan always knew the odds in Syria were

heavily stacked against him. President Assad has never been

willing to allow peaceful demonstrations. Instead, the regime

relies on force to avoid sharing power with opponents they call

terrorists and it draws strength from Russia and Russian armed

supplies. The divided opposition and its rebel fighters aren't

interested in compromise either, fearing the regime might survive in

an altered form. The rebels too have been armed by Qatar and Saudi

Arabia in particular. Shelling of cities has

intensified... Over recent months, Kofi Annan's been frustrated by

deep divisions at the UN, with United States, Britain and France

pitted against China and Russia. Things fell apart in New York, he

said today. This fundamental split sent very

mixed signals to all sides in Syria and helped undermine Kofi Annan's

peace efforts. Today in Syria, UN observers are

still at work, but observe serving the relentless spread of fighting

is about all they can do now. After Kofi Annan steps down at the end of

August, it's far from clear what the UN's role will be.

But more and more, Syria is falling apart.

Today, opposition activists near Damascus buried these victims of

what they allege was summary execution by the Government.

In Aleppo, the battle for Syria is still raging. Historian Syria is

still at war not peace. Finding a potential solution to the

Syrian conflict was also on the agenda when David Cameron met

President Putin of Russia at Downing Street today. It's Mr

Putin's first visit to England in seven years during which time the

relations between the countries had been strained. Mr Cameron said it

was time to increase the pressure on the Russian Government. Judo was

the place to be at the Olympics this afternoon. David Cameron might

be the host, but Vladimir Putin is the judo fanatic. Even offering a

few tips on technique from a past master. What better way to please

the Russian President than a ring- side Olympic seat for a sport than

has been his life long passion. Even if there are plenty of

difficult political questions to grapple with.

Earlier, a red carpet welcome for Mr Putin, both leaders outwardly

friendly but well aware it's seven years since he was in the UK and

nine long years since he last came to Downing Street.

Just getting President Putin to come to these London Olympics and

agreeing to come to have talks here in Downing Street is something of

an achievement. Achievements between Britain and Russia have

been decidedly frosty over the years but there's still plenty to

disagree about. Human rights and Syria, crucially.

Britain blames Russia for blocking UN attempts to pile pressure on the

Syrian government. Mr Putin accuses the West of siding hypocriteically

with the rebels, squabbles that led to blistering criticism from Kofi

Annan when he resigned today. Before that, inside Downing Street,

they were papering over the differences.

While of course there have been some differences in the positions

that we've taken over the Syrian conflict, we both want to see an

end to that conflict and a stable Syria.

Mr Putin tellingly even went out of his way to flatter Britain.

TRANSLATION: I would like to congratulate the UK and its people

for the wonderful unforgettable spectacle of the opening ceremony.

Tensions remain. Especially over what some see as Mr Putin's

increasingly heavy handed treatment of those who oppose him. These

Russian activists in London yesterday were objecting to the

visit on human rights grounds. Restrictions on the Internet and

oaf NGOs, non-Governmental organisations and a more uncertain

business environment. Russia's become a degree more totalitarian

than it was in previous times. But that will be a side issue for

the Russian President. This was the moment he came for, another judo

gold for his country. He was here to embrace the winner. What more

could a judo President ask for? Coming up on the programme:

COMMENTATOR: The crowd want to lift you up over the line...

So close but it's a silver in the rowing for Team GB's light weight

fours. The President of the European

Central Bank says plans to intervene directly in the eurozone

crisis will be drawn up over the coming weeks. Mario Draghi insisted

that the euro was here to stay and repeated his promise to do whatever

it took to save the currency, including buying Government bonds

on the open market to reduce the borrowing costs of countries like

Spain and Italy. The lack of any detail disappointed the financial

markets, as our Economics Correspondent, stpefny Flanders,

explains. -- Stephanie Flanders. We have seen to many make or break

summits since the euro crisis began. Many in the markets have stopped

looking to Europe's leaders to end the crisis and they are wondering

whether this man can do it instead, the President of the European

Central Bank. Within our mon date, the ECB is ready to do whatever it

takes to preserve the euro -- mandate. Believe me, it will be

enough. Investors were thrilled to hear Mr

Draghi say that in London last week. It was the most encouraging thing

anyone said about the euro for ages. After the ECB eetion policy meeting

today, they were hoping to find out more -- ECB's policy meeting.

Draghi said the European Central Bank will do whatever it takes. Of

course whatever it takes is a definitive solution. At 12.45 we

had a statement from the ECB saying interest rates were unchanged. We'd

heard the same a few minutes earlier from the Bank of England.

Then it was time for the man himself, alas not as pithy as last

week. The Governing Council may undertake outright open market

operations of a size adequate to reach its objective.

To translate, he's willing to help push down the cost of borrowing for

countries like Spain but Spain has to ask for support from the

European rescue fund first. That's a big but. As I said several times,

the ECB cannot replace Governments. When the text of the European

Central Bank statement was digested, the euro actually started to come

under downward pressure and yields on Government bonds like Italy and

Spain started to rise. It appears that the markets are still quite

uncertain about what this all means and maybe a little bit of

disappointment. In a sense, people in the financial markets heard what

they needed to hear from the European Central Bank today. It's

willing to take action to bring stability to the financial market

and might spend a lot of money doing it. But investors didn't like

the lack of detail and they didn't like the insistence that

Governments have to get their act together first.

The Spanish and Italian Prime Ministers met today and promised to

work together to resolve the crisis. But they said talk of applying for

a bail out was premature. Maybe this crisis can't be fixed

without the European Central Bank, but Mr Draghi isn't going to do it

alone. Just a reminder, you can find out

much more about the eurozone crisis, the background, lots of information,

go to the BBC News website at www.bbc.co.uk/euro, and the links

are all there for you. The leader of a gang of men who

sexually exploited young girls in Rochdale has been sentenced to 22

years in jail for rape. 59-year-old Shabir Ahmed was convicted in June

of kexyul by abusing and raping a girl in Rochdale. -- sexual abuse.

The population of Scotland has reached a record number according

to the latest official figures. There are more than 5.25 million

people living in Scotland, 14,000 more than the previous peak which

was in 1974. A fall in the death rate and net migration are that

tout be the main factors. -- thought to be the main factors.

More from the Olympics and Team GB rowers picked up a medal today,

narrowly missing out on a gold. The team were edged out by South Africa.

Andy Swiss reports on another dramatic day at Eton Dorney. Bright,

breezy and brimming with optimism. After yesterday's flying start, all

British eyes turned to the men's light weight four, fastest in

qualifying, but this was the one that mattered. They began steadly,

Rob Williams, Chris Bartley and the Chambers brother, Richard and Pete,,

a sibling success story perhaps, with the winds against them they

soon trailed. These lightweights have big hearts.

Furthest from the camera, they clawed their way back to set up a

grandstand finish. COMMENTATOR: Here come the British.

The crowd want to lift you up over the line. They're not going to do

it. South Africa are Olympic champions. Great Britain get the

silver... They missed gold by inches. It was

simply agonising. That was brutal. Really, really brutal. But we were

just fighting and fighting through the whole lot just to get ourselves

back in contention and we did a cracking job just not great enough

for the gold. For the Chambers brothers from

Coleraine in Northern Ireland, the exhaustion and emotion was plain to

see. Silver medallists representing

Great Britain.... So A Third Medal For Britain's Rowers Here At Eton

Dorran Yirbgs Not Quite The Colour They Hoped For, But What A Spirit

And Courageous Performance -- Eton Dorney. One Watched By Their

Families, Including Nine-month-old Joshua Chambers, Not A Bad Day's

Work For Dad. I was thinking of making him a little Olympic scrap

book to show he was here, so it's bill grant. Glad we could all be

here. Two - Brilliant. Two Silver Medals Is Just Ridiculous, Amazing.

I'm Delighted. No Gold For The Rowers, But What A Silver Lining.

The American swimmer Michael Phelps has tonight achieved an astounding

new high claiming his 16th Olympic gold. The 20th Olympic medal of his

career, with a thrilling victory in the 200 metres individual medley.

More on that and the other day's achievements with Dan Roan. It was

the one the world was watching, a classic dual in the pool, over 200

metres between two of the greatest swimmers seen. The last installment

in the rivally between the legendary soon to retire makele

Phelps, the most decorated Olympician in history and his

compatriot, William Lochte. His opponent won gold when they raced

in the 400 metre medley. Now it was time for round two. Lochte managed

only bronze earlier on and he was soon behind. After a poor Olympics

by his standard, it was clear that talk of Phelps's demise had been

overestimated. Phelps maintained his lead, sealing his first gold of

the Olympics and proving a point. COMMENTATOR: It's gold to Phelps.

Finally he wins gold. It was cool. I wanted to try to really just

force it as much as I could and I'm pretty pleased. The 16th gold and

20th Olympic medal of a unique sporting career. Phelps becoming

the same person to win the same -- the first person to win the same

medal at three successive Olympics Games. The crowd want to see some

more home success. Britain's Fran Halsall had been

determined to improve. The race was tight and she started well but the

opposition proved too strong, the Netherlands opponent taking gold.

There was better news for Team GB earlier in the day when Rebecca

Adlington began the defence of her 800 metre crown by qualifying

quickest for tomorrow's final. Someone who's already got a third

Olympic gold is sailor Ben Ainslie and he reignited his quest for a

fourth in Weymouth bay hitting back with a first and third in the fin

class races to narrow the gap with surprise leader cyst Jensen to two

points. Meanwhile at Wimbledon, Andy