31/07/2012 BBC News at Ten

Tonight at ten: The Chinese fight back and defend the reputation of

their young swimming star. COMMENTATOR: Utterly extraordinary.

Unbelievable! 16-year-old Ye Shiwen firmly denies rumours that she used

performance enhancing drugs to win gold in world record time. When

something is really, really spectacular, the first thing you do

after you see the performance is say, hmmm, I wonder. At a young age

it's possible to break your best time by five or so seconds. In the

pool tonight, history is made as the American Michael Phelps becomes

the most decorated Olympian. Another medal for Team GB, the

eventing team take silver, awarded by a proud mother.

The whole week has been just an amazing experience and he's an

inexperienced horse. He's coped really well, with the crowd, who

have been unreal. We'll ask if Britain's boldest

medal target is still within reach. Also tonight, in India, widespread

chaos as another power cut affects 600 million people. And where did

all the crowds go? There's no evidence yet of an Olympic boost on

the high street. On BBC London - The race to win �1 billion worth of

investment on the back of the Olympics. And why the Games are

already proving a success for the Good evening from the Olympic Park

in East London, where the Chinese swimming star, 16-year-old Ye

Shiwen has taken another Gold Medal tonight, breaking the Olympic

record in the 200 m individual medley. During the day, Olympics

officials came to her defence, after suspicions were raised about

her record breaking performance at the weekend. They said the drug

testing programme was robust and insisted swimmer was clean. David

Bond has the latest. She's been at the centre of London's first big

Olympic storm. Ye Shiwen's world record breaking victory Saturday

night stunned the Games. Now the 16-year-old was aiming to do it all

again. This time, it wasn't as easy. She

turned into the final 50 metres of tonight's race she was behind. She

powered through to win in a new Olympic record. Afterwards, the

celebrations seemed muted. COMMENTATOR: Gold to China. Perhaps

that's because she's facing difficult questions about how she's

swimming so fast. The problem is that with all the suspicions about

drug use throughout sport, when something is really, really

spectacular, the first thing you do after you see the performance is to

say, hmm, I wonder. Just how much has she improved? Her time in the

final on Saturday of 4.28.43 was over three seconds better than her

previous personal best set in the heats earlier in the day. And over

five seconds better than her record before that in the 2010 Asian Games,

when she was just 14. She, like all others, who win

medals have samples tested here, at a multimillion pound laboratory in

Essex. Her test on Saturday has come back clear and she's also been

tested at least four times in the year leading up to the Games. The

Olympics are all about memorable, world record breaking moments. The

problem is the Games have had such a history of drug scandals that any

stand-out performance is bound to arouse suspicion. But no suspicion

is raised about this swimmer, 15- year-old Ruta Meilutyte, who won

gold for lidgeyaina in the 100 -- Lithuania in the 100m yesterday.

One man says it is possible. It is possible to break your best time by

you know five or so seconds. When I was a 15-year-old, I swum 3.4 to

win the World Championships. The following year I broke the world

record in 3ht 41, that's a five second drop.

Today at the Olympic Park Chinese fans defended their new golden girl.

The fact that she's so good, make her success, that's it. I feel

quite unfair, because she's try really hard to get the gold. I

think that's because you put the effort in it, you deserve it.

Shiwen insists she has never used drugs and may wonder what she's

done to deserve all this suspicion. But her victory tonight is only

likely to fuel the whispering campaign.

Within the past hour, the American swimmer Michael Phelps has become

the most decorated Olympian in history. He won his 19th medal

after the United States claimed gold in the men's 4X200 metre

freestyle relay. Our correspondent James Pearce watched as history was

made. The world's greatest ever swimmer trying tonight to confirm

his position as athe greatest ever Olympian. Michael Phelps started

the 200 metres butterfly final already in possession of a record

14 gold medals. But he was still one top-three finish away from

equalling the record of 18 medals of all colour. As the race entered

the closing stages, Phelps was in the lead. Somehow he was pipped for

gold, but silver still enough for the record.

So Michael Phelps has done it, not perhaps in the style in which he'd

have liked. But history has been made this evening at London 2012.

Having equalled the record an hour later, he was breaking it. This

time there was no danger of anyone denying him gold, as he swam the

COMMENTATOR: This shows how much ballet training comes into the

Russian gymnastic work. This is a Russian gymnast whose record Phelps

had broken. She won 18 medals at Olympics between 1956 and 1964.

Does this make Phelps the greatest Olympian ever? He's now easily

passed the medal haul of Mark Spitz, who had 11 in total. Some would

would argue in favour of Carl Lewis, nine gold and one silver in

athletics. And there's Sir Steve Redgrave who won his five golds and

a bronze over five different Olympics. Before London, Michael

Phelps had dominated his sport at two Olympics. In Athens he won six

golds. In Beijing, he was unbeaten, winning a record eight gold medals

in one Games. He's the greatest Olympian there has ever been. I

don't believe there will be a greater swimmer. His build, he is

built like a fish. Michael Phelps saluted as an Olympic medallist

this evening and forever more as an all-time sporting great.

Great Britain's three-day eventing team of Tina Cook, Zara fill

independence, Nicola will con, William Fox-Pitt and Mary King won

Team GB's fourth medal today. Among the thousands watching were Prince

William and the Duchess of Cambridge. Zara Phillips received

her medal from her mother, Princess Anne. Our correspondent Joe Wilson

reports from Greenwich Park. In showjumping a misplaced stride can

mean a missed medal. For Zara Phillips, this way to destiny. Her

presence here took equestrian into another dimension, so much

attention. That's because she's part of such a famous family. Zara

Phillips is also part of a team. Her showjumping performance in the

morning went towards Britain's collective chal ek. There was an

early mistake. After a stunning ride yesterday, she found herself

behind the clock, time faults as well on High Kingdom. Had such an

awesome round yesterday, know. He lost both front shoes. He's not

completely feeling himself this morning. But I'm just disappointed

for the team. But you know, I'm really, really chuffed to bits with

him. Every British rider gets a great reception from the crowd here.

When the round starts, well, the spectators know they dare not

distract the horse. So at times, it feels like there are 20,000 people

all holding their breath. Mary King in his sixth Olympics was

nerveless. Her clear round kept Britain in the mix for medals.

Germany started the day in front and Michael Jung, European champion,

world champion, could win it for them.

COMMENTATOR: It is Germany's gold. Britain's last rider was Tina Cook.

As she approached the final fence, a mistake could still mean goodbye

to silver. Second place sealed. Silver is one better than the

eventing team managed four years ago at the Olympics. Imagine

standing on the podium and getting a medal from your mum. Princess

Anne was an Olympian herself in 1976. She never won a medal. But at

31, Zara Phillips is really a junior in equestrian terms. She

will surely have more Olympic opportunities to come.

Let's talk to our sports editor, David Bond, who is in the Olympic

Park. David, we'll come to Team GB and their prospects in a second.

First of all, let me ask you about the Chinese swimmer and the

controversy, what do you make of that? Well, on a night when we

should have really been talking about the achievements of Michael

Phelps, phenomenal achievement to become the biggest medal haul in

the Olympic Games, with 19 medals in the pool, we're still talking

about this Chinese swimming, Ye Shiwen, who won her second Gold

Medal of these Games. She's really come from nowhere to do that and

what's interesting for me is this goes to the heart of this Tuesdayel

at the top of the medal table -- tussle at the top of the medal

table between China and the United States. It's interesting to see

Michael Johnson predict that perhaps China would beat the United

States in terms of total medals for the first time. The most critical

voice against Ye Shiwen has come from an Metropolitan Black Police

Association swimming coach, John Leonard. -- from an American

swimming coach, John Leonard. You know, the problem from the Olympic

movement as a whole is that it's been so tainted by doping scandals

in the past, whenever you get a stunning performance like this,

something that seems to come out of nowhere, it's bound to arouse

suspicion. There's not a lot of trust around. Let's turn to Team GB.

After today's performance, how do you read prot gres towards the

targets that were -- the progress towards the targets before the

Games? A great boost with the Silver Medal today for the eventing

team. Broadly Team GB think they are where they should be. Tomorrow

is a key day, two big Gold Medal opportunities in the women's pair

rogue and the time trial with Bradley Wiggins -- pair rowing, an

the time trial, with Bradley Wiggins. It's an important day. And

if we're still here tomorrow night in the same position, I think there

will be some serious concerns. Thank you.

Let's look at some of the other news now. In India, electricity

supplies are being restored to more than 600 million people, who have

been affected by one of the world's biggest power cuts. Three supply

grids collapsed in the north and east of the country, leaving more

than half the population without power. It's the second day they

have been affected by a large-scale failure of the electricity system.

Our correspondent Rajini One of the world's fastest-growing

economies ground to a halt today. In the nation's capital, even the

trafficlights weren't working. Police were deployed to man the

already chaotic roads, as India grappled with the largest black-out

in its history. Many people had no choice but to sit it out. As

delhi's busy Metro system stopped, passengers found themselves trapped.

I got stuck on the train for 25 minutes. Then when the doors opened,

people were desperate to come out of the Metro. The scale of the

powercut almost defies belief. 20 out of India's 28 states have been

hit. It's affected 620 million people. Officials are blaming

states taking more than their allocated share of electricity. The

problems caused by the power outages highlight a wider concern.

India simply doesn't have enough power to feed a growing population

and many say this energy crisis is a huge barrier to the country's

economic growth. Electricity's now back in most

places, but the cost to industry is still being counted. Growth in

India's economy slowing down. With the blackouts continue, they won't

just affect people's lives, but also hurt the prospects of one of

the world's most populous nation. Coming up on tonight's programme:

We report on the plight of Christians in Syria caught in a

sectarian struggle, as the violence spreads. We spoke to three families

today, all of whom said they felt forced to leave. "They didn't want

us ", one woman said, referring to the armed opposition, "We had no

choice but to go." $$The Republican candidate for the

US presidency, Mitt Romney, has paid tribute to the people of

Poland on the final part of his overseas tour four months before

the election takes place. Mr Romney said he'd been inspired by the

Polish fight for freedom from Communist rule.

His visit was not marked by the controversy that surrounded his

earlier visit to London, when he talked about the Olympics and his

visit to Israel, when he angered the Palestinians. Our North America

editor, Mark Mardell, has this assessment of Mr Romney's foreign

No missteps for Mitt at Warsaw's tomb of the unknown warrior. He

looked Presidental as he reviewed the Polish troops. The opinion

polls are tight. He really could oust President Obama from the White

House. His unspoken mess sadge that for the last four years America has

snubbed and scorned old allies like Britain, Israel and Poland. It has

been a trip to three places far apart on the map, but for an

American you cannot get much closer to the ideals and convictions of my

own country than you can in these places. I believe it's critical to

stand by those who have stood by America. Solidarity was a great

movement that freed a nation and it's with solidarity that America

and Poland face the future. But as Mr Romney travelled

thousands of miles on a privately- chartered jet there was plenty of

turbulence. The campaign's notorious for tight control,

keeping Mr Romney away from the press who followed his every step

for a year. Perhaps this is why, for it's been a tour dogged by more

than its fair share of controversy. In Britain he said some news about

the preparations for the Olympics was disconcerting. In Israel Romney

talked about its economic prosperity, saying culture makes

all the difference. That went down badly with the Palestinians. Here

in Poland his press secretary had a parting thought for reporters

trying to ask questions, "kiss my ass." Part of the purpose of Mitt

Romney's tour was to establish his cre sengess as a world statesman to

suggest he is ready to take the helm of a superpower, instead

unintentionally it suggested he could be a rather spikey,

undiplomatic President, and has given his enemies ammunition. The

main foe, President Obama, who had his own foreign tour as a candidate

and wags treated as a rockstar. Now his supporters has shown that Mr

Romney couldn't handle being a head of state and has med a mess of

being a tourist. His campaign has taken days to respond to the

criticisms. They say the rows mean nothing to people back home.

fact of the matter is that Mitt Romney is not a natural-born

politician. He is not a touchy- feely guy a smooth operator but we

are entering a moment where people are sick and tired of the natural-

born politicians, they want someone to run the country. Mr Romney heads

home, hoping no damage has been done but it is hard to see how this

trip has helped him win the White House.

The High Court has ruled that the Serious Fraud Office obtained

search warrants unlawfully during investigations into the property

developers Vincent and Robert Tchenguiz. The SFO may have to pay

out significant damages to the brothers and further questions have

been raised about its ability to carry out major investigations. Our

correspondent Hugh Pym is at the High Court tonight. How significant

could this be? Well I think significant for the SFO on two

levels. First of all financial there, could be damages claims

troung tens of millions of pounds, submitted by the Tchenguiz brothers,

Robert and Vincent -- claims amounting to tens of millions. They

were investigating last year surrounding the investigation into

the downfall of an Icelandic bank. By the beginning of this year, one

of the investigations had been dropped. Now it is said warrants

were obtained unlawfully. The SFO have been criticised in some

quarters for not being good in pursuing with white collar crime s.

The issue has been raised over which agency is best-placed to

pursue these types of allegations. In Siria, one of the rebel

commanders claims his forces are pushing towards the centre of

Aleppo, the country's biggest city and can take control within days.

For the past week, rebel forces have been fighting heavily-armed

rebel troops forcing thousands to flee. As the conflict enters its

14th month, the country's divisions are becoming increasingly sectarian

and Christians, who account for 10% of the population, are in the

middle: An embattled minority has arrived

here in Lebanon seeking refuge. In this region that was the birth

place of their faith, Christian refugees from Syria fear for their

future. This man, who wanted his identity

concealed, supported the initial reform protests, until he says

Sunni extremists in the opposition attacked his house, simply because

of his religion. TRANSLATION: I was out of the house

when they attacked. They bent tyres outside my door and my wife and

children had to flee. They jumped over falls to escape. The fear was

indescribable. My neighbourhood was Christian and Muslim but all my

Christian neighbour has to leave and the village and then the

country. The Muslims were safe. They stayed. Because the regime

severely restricts independent reporting it, isn't possible to

verify accounts of sectarian attacks, but under the Assads

Christians have been protected. Some rose to prominent state roles.

This leading cleric, who has warned against foreign intervention, says

some attacks are because Christians are seen as regime supporters.

not all, but some of the - it is a symbol of this faithfulness to the

regime. There is evidence to back up what the patriarch is saying. We

spoke to three families today, all of whom say they felt forced to

leave "They didn't want us, we had no choice but to go" a woman said

referring to the armed opposition. It is important, however to

remember that Syria's Christians are people of many political

opinions. These Christians, each representing a different family

also wanted their identities protected. They blamed Government

violence for their plight. TRANSLATION: Before the violence

people were living normally but later on we feared what the regime

was doing because it was bombing everybody. They didn't

differentiate between Muslims and Christians and that's why we had to

flee Syria. Do you think Christians have a future in Syria?

REPORTER: No, I see no future, not only in Syria but in all the Middle

East. If people get a chance to leave this region, they will just

do it. The opposition has prominent Christian members but the growing

influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, supported by Saudi Arabia, has

prompted fears of a future Sunni- dominated state. A point I put to a

leading Brotherhood figure. don't think Syria is a place where

you can have a religious state because Syria has different

religions and different ethnic groups and different races. All we

want, as Muslim Brotherhood, is to have enough freedom, enough

democracy for everyone. But in an increasingly sectarian atmosphere,

many Christians will struggle to accept that assurance.

For this is now not just a battle for the land of Syria, but for its

soul, too. Well let's have more now on the

Olympic action and the fourth full day of competition this is how the

Andy Swiss reports now on some of today's other Olympic highlights.

It was a day when more British medal hopes got that sinking

feeling. Sarah Barrow and Tonia Couch, watched by Tom Daley

finished fifth in the synchronised diving.

COMMENTATOR: There is Great Britain chasing the Danish sailor. And it

was a struggle for two Olympic sailing champions, Ben Ainslie

still trailing in second place while Paul Goodison may have to

withdraw after suffering a back injury. But few felt the pain quite

as much as this man. One of Britain's best judo hopes,

Ewan Burton reduced to a first- round defeat and then reduced to

tears. I feel like I have let myself down a bit. I feel like I've

let my coaches down and I have let everybody I have ever trained with

down. I have let my mum and dad and my brother down. It was a sometimes

cruel day. But there were some impressive

British displays. Despite the odd stumble, the

women's gymnastics team achieved their best result in decades,

finishing sixth. Tonight in front of 70,000 fans at

Wembley, the British women's team beat bra zil 1-0. They have now won

all three matches -- brazyil. COMMENTATOR: This is incredible.

But the evening's most bizarre scenes were in the Badminton. South

Koreaia and China both appearing to deliberately hit into the net. The

loser would get an easier draw in the next round. Both teams were

booed by the crowd and the referee threatened them with

disqualification. Not a great night for the Olympic

spirit. The prospect of millions of

spectators coming to venues in London and to other parts of the UK,

had raised hopes that this could prove to be a bumper month for

shops, hotels, restaurants and other businesses. But the signs are

that this may not be happening, with visitors staying away from

shops and tourist attractions. John Kaye looks at the economic effects

so far of London 2012. Discount and half-price theatre

tickets. The hottest tickets in the West End are suddenly a bit cooler.

The heart of London isn't beating. This place may have been swinging

in the '60s, but it's tranquil in 2012. Discounted theatre tickets.

It's not bumper Olympic summer that Fred was expecting on his souvenir

stall. He blames the organisers for sending out mixed messages. I think

they started wrongly because they were poisoning people's mind with

the terrorism, bad traffic. I have been here now 27 years and I have

never seen a July as bad as this, ever.

Midday in Piccadilly Circus. London's visitors are spending

their time and money watching the Games and not here, in town.

Central London might have got all spruced up, but it seems the

party's going on elsewhere. Top museums and tourist attractions

have seen visitor numbers fall by more than 30% in the last two weeks.

Traffic levels are also down by at least 20%. It was a similar story

for the Athens Games eight years ago and experts say it's often a

trade-off. Mass tourism and the Olympics don't necessarily mix.

You can't have it both ways. You can either have a smooth-running

Games, logistics-wise or we can have London full of people, full of

congestion, full of problems but also full of people spending money.

To attract visitors, hoteliers who aimed high, are now slashing prices.

This This hotel near Hyde Park was originally charging more than �500

for its best twin room for tonight it. Has now cut its prices to less

than �100. That's more than 80% less. Tourism bosses say regular

visitors were always going to stay away this summer. But they believe

the Olympics will bring a boost over time. This is really about the

long-term and it is about converting all of those viewers who

are watching these amazing pictures of London around the world and