Day 8 BBC One: 12.45-17.00 Olympics

Could this be the greatest night in British athletics history?

The stadium erupts! Everybody is on their feet! It has

been four years since a symphony of Saud resonated around the Olympic

Stadium. Can you believe what is happening?

They called it Super Saturday. Three athletes.

There goes Jess. Greg Rutherford leads.

44 minutes later, three gold medals. A perfect day for Jessica Ennis.

Greg Rutherford is the Olympic champion!

Mo Farah, it is a gold medal! That night, in our minds, they

became superheroes. Three gold medals for Great Britain,

what a night. But these three are just like you

and me. Day in, day out, working hard at

their jobs. Training like they mean it. And now,

four years on, this everyday graft, this routine might just result in

the most magical of days. Good afternoon, where were you on

Super Saturday? This eight days middle Saturday of the Rio Games had

us reminiscing about London, a day when our athletes won six gold

medals, number two on the water, one in the velodrome, three in an

incredible 44 minutes in the Olympic Stadium. One of the most powerful,

life affirming moments we have all shared together through sport. I am

sure you would love to feel a little of that once again.

We might just. Welcome to Super Saturday, Samba style.

Our chances where the British women's eight aiming for their first

medal ever, what a glorious sight. And the Regatta ends with a full

throttle thrash in the men's eight, Britain our world champs, something

has got to give against their opponents.

In the velodrome, we see Becky James and the team pursuit quartet in

action. Our first glimpse of Usain Bolt in

the 100 metres on the way perhaps to a travel trouble.

-- reble treble. We see Greg Rutherford in the long

jump. Followed by Mo Farah in the 10,000 metres final, it could make

him the first British track athlete to win three Olympic gold medals.

Jessica Ennis-Hill is battling in the heptathlon but she won't have it

all her own way, it is tight. Those two cycling gold medals in the

velodrome, Becky James would like to be in the thick of things.

Look out for Australian legend Anna Meares.

And the final two bases it off the Regatta at 3pm.

From 4pm, we catch the heptathlon, the long jump at the Olympic

Stadium. In the second session of athletics,

Greg Rutherford could take a giant leap at the first man since Carl

Lewis to retain the Olympic long jump title.

And it is the weekend. You can push through to see Mo Farah at 1:25am,

this is once every four years. 21 gold medals on offer today.

When you see these six events, all with strong British involvement, no

wonder there is a sense of deja vu and excitement about our prospects

on this eight day. Super Saturday was a defining moment

not just for our athletes but arguably for British sport, and our

home Games. The stadium erupts! Three gold

medals for Great Britain! What a night. One never to be

forgotten. But that was then. Life moves on. The world keeps

turning. So, what came next? One year later

at the world championships in Moscow, those home comforts of

London seemed a distant memory. Frustration from Greg Buffett,

injured and failing to make the final.

-- Rutherford. Jessica Ennis-Hill also injured,

didn't even go to Moscow. All down to Mo Farah, the last of

the Golden trio. COMMENTATOR: He is sprinting for

goals. Double gold in the 5000 and 10,000,

Britain's most decorated athlete in history, forging ahead.

COMMENTATOR: This is world domination!

Until the following April, a new challenge, a different distance on

this familiar London map, and not out in front.

When Glasgow welcomed the Commonwealth in the summer, he

missed out his turn to be injured. Jessica was happy not to be in

Glasgow, she was about to welcome her first son to the world.

For Greg Rutherford, Glasgow would be a point of restart.

COMMENTATOR: Greg Rutherford is the Commonwealth champion.

He added a European title to his collection.

Also in Zurich, Mo Farah, completing another double.

Meanwhile, as the nights grew longer over Sheffield, Jess returned to

training, we forging a steely athletic will.

Time ticking towards Rio, first, the stern test of the world

Championships in Beijing. Greg Rutherford, one jump away from

joining especial bad of Great Britain.

COMMENTATOR: Greg Rutherford completes his Grand Slam, Olympic,

Commonwealth, now world champion. Mo Farah about to join an even more

exclusive club, the only one in it. Mo Farah is the world champion

again! Jess had eased her way back into

condition. Who knew what to expect in Beijing?

She had nothing to prove but she proved it anyway.

Now she comes back against the Canadian, Jessica Ennis-Hill, back

on top of the world. Three then, three now. That day is

here again, Super Saturday. Time will move on but might the

world be stopped again in its tracks?

Today we are not just going to see some of our greatest athletes but

arguably some of the ever Grech -- Greatest ever produced, we are

talking about Usain Bolt. And Michael Phelps, a phenomenal athlete

over the last five Olympics since Sydney, 22 gold medals and counting.

What happens next will be the question, but he finishes his last

race in the medley relay. A new world record for Michael

Phelps. I wonder whether we have somebody

who will be the greatest swimmer ever.

Can Michael Phelps go eight gold medals in eight days?

He has tried to set Olympic history, swimming history. Eight days, eight

gold medals. Michael Phelps is the greatest.

These are his last Olympics. He will go out as the best ever.

No one has won more Olympic medals in history.

Swimming legend Michael Phelps is coming out of retirement...

Michael Phelps has been arrested for driving...

He will not be allowed to represent the united states...

Banned for competing for the united states the six months...

Michael Phelps is heading for Rio and another showdown looms ahead.

Unbelievable from Michael Phelps. His 22nd Olympic gold medal.

So, how much is enough? That is the question asked of Michael Phelps.

When he went into the 100 metres fly final last night he was sitting on

22 gold medals. If he were a country, he would be

sitting above Argentina on the all-time medal list in the entire

modern Olympics! The only question was, what colour

would his 27th medal be? This really will be fascinating,

Michael Phelps doesn't go down quick in the first 50. If he will be

beaten they will have two go down quickly down this first 50.

Schooling is ripping this apart down the first 50 metrese.

Nearly half a second faster than Michael Phelps.

He has had a good turn, Michael Phelps has a lot to do.

Phelps will start coming, he had to start driving up but it looks like

Schooling is swimming away from everybody.

Has he got the finish? He wins it! We were very worried about it and

goodness me he has delivered a massive time.

Brad le Clos is equal second. Michael Phelps also equal second.

A 3-way tie for silver! So, Michael Phelps, Chad le Clos,

with the silver medal. I don't think I have seen a 3-way tie for silver.

Probably the last individual race we will see him in and he will stand on

the podium. There is something quite fitting

about that. A shame he couldn't get the gold medal but Joseph Schooling

was absolutely brilliant, from the word, though, 15 metres, he had won

this, extending his lead. That is' 's first Olympic gold

medal. He won by Miles! -- Singapore's.

Congratulations to Singapore. That 3-way tie, there was a four way tie

for the gold medal in Glasgow last year are astonishing. The women's

asymmetric bars. Katie Ledecky last night, the

19-year-old American, already with three Rio gold medals, this was her

strongest event, the 800 metres, the title she won in London at 15.

Welsh woman Jazz Carlin also there. The 800m freestyle for the women at

the Olympic Games. A very good start from Katie Ledecky. The gun from the

go. And she is off. That may be the last time that we see Katie Ledecky.

She is looking really, really good already. Comfortable but making a

confident move from the start. Absolutely. I think she is going for

the world record, Andy. We will talk about the splits. It is a longish

race. Eight minutes or so. Jazz Carlin in second place. The lane

draw, for Jazz it is interesting. Left of Ledecky. So three from the

top of the picture. But below, there is Kapas in five. Leah Smith and

then Ashwood in seven. I was wary that Jazz Carlin would be stuck on

the side. But Carlin is doing well.

Ledecky, when she set the world record, the 8.06. She set into a

repeat of 6174. So keeping an eye on that but the pace on the first is

strong. What I like having talked about the

position of the lanes is that the race above Ledecky for second seems

to be at the top of the pool. So, Ledecky, there was about a 2.3

metre lead after the 100m. And Jazz Carlin is looking strong and

comfortable for Great Britain. She is on Becky Adlington's British

record. She is in second at the moment in

the red hat for Great Britain in lane three. Ledecky is just under

her own record pace. Belmonte northerlially goes out

slowly and picks it up in the second half. So a very different tactic

from Belmonte. A bet bit of a threat, Belmonte. She has come back

strongly, winning the 200m butterfly. So no stranger to the

podium. She wants to be back on it again. That is the battle.

Leah Smith. She has the pace. Ledecky, we will check her splits

but not surprised if she gets down to 8.4. She will blow the world

record out of the water. So, Ledecky leading by about 10

metres. After 300m. Ten length at this turn. Ledecky is first. Jazz

Carlin outside of Becky's British record pace. But going well.

Starting to pick up the paces. Kapas of Hungary in the centre.

Kapas in five. Belmonte in eight. Look at how smoothly Ledecky is. It

is interesting, she went almost three-quarters of a second fast in

the first 100. That has slotted into 61.4s. 61.3. And she is actually, 61

flat there. So dropping this down. So every single 100 is eating away

at the record. I think she is good enough to go about 2.3 seconds off

the world record. When the camera shot is wide, there is Jazz Carlin.

It is a three-way tie for the silver medal and the bronze medal. Two

medals to be given out, car lained then Kapas and Belmonte.

Katie Ledecky from the gun was about 2 metres ahead after the 100m. Now

about 15 metres ahead. But the great news for Great Britain is that Jazz

Carlin is in second place, holding off Kapas of Hungary with the white

hat closer to us in the leading chasing group. At the bottom, there

is Maria Belmonte in fourth at the moment.

Fascinating. The two stories of the race. The one story of one of the

best women swimmers in the world. You are watching a female Michael

Phelps in the making. Phenomenal. To be chasing four gold medals in her

second Olympics at the age of 19 is amazing. She is blowing the field

away. Blowing the record away. The second story is who is going to get

the silver medal? There is Jazz Carlin. Kapas and maybe Belmonte

dropping? But not by much. Kapas is starting to take a small lead over

Jazz Carlin. This is how she goes, comfortably. Then winding it up.

That was the 500-metre turn. So at this turn coming up there is 250m to

go. Five length left. Ledecky leading by a good long way. Still a

full body length of her own world record. Second is Kapas. Then behind

is Jazz Carlin of Great Britain. But they have not dropped Belmonte of

Spain. Ledecky has dropped everybody. A

great shot. The loneliness of the empty pool. She faced it many times.

A solo effort for the world record. They have had her training with the

men. Rhine Lochte says he cannot keep up with her -- Ryan Lochte. She

keeps going. She is not extending the lead. Just still the one body

length ahead. Well, just the one body length ahead

of the world record, that is not so bad! And three lengths to go in the

final women's 800m freestyle. Jazz Carlin picked up the pace

again. Good news. Three tenths behind at each of the last two

turns. Now right on it. They are starting to drop Maria

Belmonte between Jazz Carlin and Kapas of Hungary. It will be a great

scrap for the silver medal and the bronze medal.

Absolutely. Going into the bell. 100m to go. Ledecky dominant in the

race. Look at the race for the silver medal it is down to the

sprint. Can Jazz Carlin get back to Kapas. She has taken the lead there.

The Three tenths of a second ahead. Jazz

Carlin must stay with her. She has decent speed. Kapas was fourth in

the 400. Jazz Carlin was the silver-medallist. Jazz has made a

move. 50 periods of time to go in the final of the women's 800m

freestyle in the Olympic Games. Ledecky, no doubt, streets ahead.

Gentlemans Carolyn is going now. Half a second ahead on the silver

medal. So, Carlin is now sprinting ahead --

Jazz Carlin ahead. For Katie Ledecky it is her own

world record. Setting 12 since London 2012. There it is, goodness

me. 8. .047. And brilliant news for Great Britain, silver medal for Jazz

Carlin. It is very close indeed. She wins the silver! Well done Jazz. And

the bronze medal for Kapas of hunger. Oh, that is great news for

Jazz. Two silver, well done.

And Katie Ledecky gave everything. Emptied the tank. You cowl see her

sprinting. And thank you to the crowd for supporting and cheering

her on. And as you said, Andy, the first

teenager to defend her title in the Olympic Games.

Many congratulations to you. It is so important that your family are

there for you. They have been such a big support.

Yes, definitely. I could not be here where I am today without them. All

of the early mornings when I didn't want to go training.

You, moody?! Yes, at 5am it is hard to be upbeat and happy. But they

have been there from the start. It is nice for them to be here. To come

away with two silver medals is incredible.

We were chatting to them. You were saying you can't believe it, two

silver medals. It has been a tough road. Four years ago, really

difficult. How difficult has it been? Your lovely boyfriend, Lewis,

he lost his mum so. Many challenges? It has been tough. Obviously I

relocated to the Bath programme two years ago nearly. So I have had to

change coaches, change where I live. But it is great. I have an amazing

coach and support staff around me at Bath. Believing in myself. Working

with the sports psychologist to stick to the race programme. Working

a than and not just the physical side. An amazing race with the

girls. Even though we race against each other, I'm great friends with

many of them. It is nice to race against each other at the top.

Did you know it was basically a three-horse race for the silver

medal? Did you see them? Obviously I have great goggles, I could see

Katie was far ahead. I thought I would get stuck into the racing. I

have been feeling rough but to come away with the silver medal is a

great freelying. What happens now? A break? I don't

know. I have nought not about it. Trying to plan to go away. Hopefully

with mum and dad and see them relax with me. I know that they get

stressed watching me. And a lot of painting on the new

house? I have a lot of work to do! Slowly getting there. More of the

project manager, rather than the person doing it. I like to watch

people doing it. But yes, on to the new thing, having some time away

from the pool, seeing what is next, really.

Thank you very much for speaking with me. Well done.

Thank you. Congratulations, to Jazz. She

deserves a big hug. After missing out in 2012. More than making up for

it going ehome with two silver medals. But what about Katie

Ledecky? Extraordinary. 19 years of age. I read a quote from her dad who

said she does not spend a lot of time on land. A lot of work going

into the five gold medals. So let's look back at some of the events. You

may have been sleeping and did not watch it all. Also looking ahead to

the responsibilities of this eighth day. Not least to Mo Farah. He is

trying to do what only the Flying Finn has managed to do, to retain

his medals in the next Games. A story of human movement... This

looks easy. It has been anything but.

1938, the start. Twin boys are born in Mogadishu, Somalia. Eight years

later, one twin moves to London. He loves football, running, running

wins. There are setbacks.

That was a disappointing performance by Mo Farah.

Successes... He's destroying them in the home straight. Double European

champion. He must change, routine, coach,

everything. He must move to move faster.

Is he ready now? Is this the time? Is this the place? He's kicking

again. Farah is going for it. It's gold! It is.

He's the double Olympic champion. These are Mo nights and this is

Mo-town! It becomes the motion picture of the age to be repeated

time after time. Sticking away, as expected.

Our monumental Mo. Mo Farah is best! Mo Farah is the

world champion again. Five world title, simply sensational.

What comes next in this story of human movement? Already among the

greats, can he now pull clear? Rio-Mo. Go-Mo.

And I'm sure you like everybody else will be shouting "GoMo! " Don't go

away if you want to share the live sport with us. We can do this. Let's

push through together. But it is moving day in the first Olympic golf

event in over 100 years. Marcus Fraser of Australia leading the way.

But a couple of well known Major winners on his tail!

Marcus Fraser from Australia... He tags it back. This will be the first

play-out. The first player at up to 10-under.

It's a great shot. A magnificent shot from Marcus Fraser. How do you

catch a guy, though, who is playing like this?

Should be enough for the birdie, he should stick that away for a round

of 69. I played very well, similar to

yesterday, didn't quite make as many putts. I feel like I did well, but

got up to the hole and it decided to go the other way.

Yesterday, they all went in. I felt really comfortable at that and good

about things. -- Out there.

What a fabulous putt. Henrik Stenson, birdie at the 1st.

A firm stroke. Perfect! Birdie, birdie start for Henrik Stenson.

A wonderful shot from the Swede. Stenson finishes at 3-under for the

day, and 8-under he is now. A couple of tired swings on the back

nine but I made some birdies on the way.

We are at where we need to be half way.

Not far away! What a way to make eagle!

Out of the bunker. It needs to go a very long way, look at that, a

birdie opportunity. A birdie putt here. A good looking

part -- Putt. Denis Peters, a fine run today,

5-under, 9-under for the Championship.

Justin Rose. He gets to 6-under par. That will do nicely!

I knew it was going in. It keeps me feeling OK about things.

It gives me a great chance at the weekend.

The weekend begins now for these players, the leaders were out at 6am

your time, this is the current state of things.

Marcus Fraser with a one shot advantage.

Nicolas Colsaerts come his grandfather was an Olympian in water

polo. He is delighted to keep it going in the family.

Marcus Fraser has led from the first day. He is still leading the way.

We said hello to golf after over 100 years. We may be saying a fond

farewell to some game changers. One of them, Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Wiggle mania broke out once again as the quartet made an amazing

impression on their way to the final, smashing the world record.

And about to take on the Australia is once again over 4,000 metres and

16 dramatic collapse. Australia, the world champions. Some

gaps forming already in the Australian team.

Britain have been getting their nose in front.

Britain were trying to put the pressure on early but it is a strong

start on behalf of Australia. The National Road race champion

there with loads of experience. A first sighting of badly Wiggins in

this final. -- Bradley. We saw a slight wobble

from Ed Clancy. They are not panicking. They are up

on schedule. World record pace they are going

after. Australia are leading the way and

the gap has gone up a bit, trying to put the Brits under pressure.

They have gone out very strongly. Great Britain have work to do here.

Bradley Wiggins on the front with Ed Clancy right behind.

Driving the team around. It will go down to the wire.

They need to do something special. It nearly always goes down to the

wire, a real nailbiter, at the halfway mark.

Seven tenths of a second. Look at the determination on their

faces. Both teams on world record pace.

We have never seen the likes of this before.

A roar goes up inside the velodrome. They have six laps to go.

Australia are down to three. Britain still staying as a ball.

Team GB have the momentum. Trying to keep it going in the closing stages

of this base. Australia suddenly the team being

put under pressure. Britain staying strong, looking neat.

That gap could be fatal. Australia are looking ragged, they

are down to three. It is tough for them as Great Britain pile it on.

Bradley Wiggins has handed over to Ed Clancy.

The four are still riding strongly. They are in front.

They are in the lead. Only just. Nail-biting stuff.

They take the bell. There is a gap in the British line up. Down to the

final lap, who has that final extra in their legs and find the

difference? Will it be Britain or Australia? It

certainly will be Great Britain, with a world record time!

The awesome foursome have done it, a gold medal for Britain once more, a

third Olympic Games in a row. What a moment for Ed Clancy, three-time

Olympic champion. For Steven Burke, Owain Doull, and an eighth medal for

Sir Bradley Wiggins, the most decorated British Olympic athlete of

all time. What a special moment, what a close final, what a tense

final and a glorious outcome. We can see what it means to you. Ed

Clancy, three times Olympic champion, how precious is it?

Best of them all. We have had some big downs since the London Olympics.

Crossing the lane one second ahead of the Aussies has made every

training session worthwhile. Given where you started the year, it

must be very special view? We have been through the mill a bit.

-- special for you. The medical team, they have put 1000

man hours into my back. Congratulations.

Owain Doull, it took a world record to win that one.

It is so surreal. We have been in situations so close where we have

lost. To put it off now is unbelievable.

Great celebrations here. Steven Burke, another gold medal here. How

special is it to be part of this team?

Extra special because I really wanted to defend the title really.

With so many highs and lows. I am super happy. The best team pursuit

of all time. First gold medal for Owain Doull.

And awesome to be Bradley's team-mates.

Gold medal number five. This has been an amazing team effort. A

special moment. Bradley, how proud are you up this

team? It is hard to come off now and spout

a load of cliches and emotional stuff.

The last 12 months we have pretty much done everything together,

training camps, altitude, early morning starts at the track, let

finishes before Christmas Day. All for this. We are here and we

have done it. These four guys here, I would never

have come back if we didn't have the calibre. I always said Ed Clancy and

Steven Burke are two of the most underrated athletes, they are not

the big road stars and they don't get the credit.

Owain Doull reminds me of someone who can do anything in the sport.

With guys like that on the line, it makes it so much more easy.

These guys, bouncing off the ceiling all afternoon in the apartment. I

just went through the process, one step at a time, not thinking of a

gold medal. Which is hard when your team-mates are winning gold medals.

Phil Heid is running around saying, have you seen my middle! -- my

medal! That is 16 medals between you!

Thank you very much indeed. 16 gold medals, 21 medals

represented there. It was quite a night. Incredible we

are able to celebrate moments like that. Sir Bradley Wiggins, now the

most decorated British athlete. Sir Chris Hoy, if you want to

escalate the race, he still raises him with six gold medals.

Sir Chris Hoy is with us at the velodrome.

He has won more in total but you can get him, Tokyo 2020!

Those days are long gone, unfortunately.

What a performance last night, a team effort, but for Bradley to win

his eighth medal is outstanding. In theory he could continue for another

four years if he wanted. Let us focus on Bradley, we have

talked about his contribution. Can you try to sum up his contribution

to the sport on track cycling, road cycling and so many other elements.

He is an icon of the sport. When he came back into the track team, you

can seek help everyone felt more confident and assured. He is a

leader. He brought so much to the team in general.

He has been a champion on the road, time trial and track.

He has put a lot back in. Owain Doull is a member of that Team

Wiggins Project bringing through pursuit like him. This is not what

you hear so much about. Exactly. He is passionate about the

sport. Whilst trying to win medals and races, he wants to give a little

bit back. He is not done yet. I am sure he

will continue on next year. If he goes on longer, he could make it to

Tokyo. Ed Clancy is the only member of that

team who has been ever present since Beijing, three in a row.

Very much the stalwart of the team. What about his contribution?

He's been central to the test. He has to get the speed up within the

team and recovering. There was a spell when he suffered from injury.

The team suffered and they lost to the Australians. But in the

confidence, was due to Ed's form. Having him back at top form is what

the team needed. He is so consistent and humble. He gets on with the job.

He doesn't want the limelight, does not crave the attention of the

media. He is one of the guys you will never hear about bad word about

within the team. No-one grumbles about Ed, he is a star.

And Jason Kenny on four. How likely is he to overtake the lot of you one

day? Likely based on his form. He is on the greatest form of his whole

career so far. He shows no signs of letting up. He did a 9.55. A new

Olympic record. A world record at sea level in the 200m time trial for

the sprint. Untouched so far in the sprint. He does not look like he is

breaking sweat. He has four gold medals and is silver medal. But most

people outside of the world track side of things they have not heard

of him. But they will have heard of him by the end of the championships.

A fantastic chance of winning three gold medals. Which would be six in

total. Extraordinary, the lowest

professional athlete we have ever had. But he like it is like that. In

general term, Chris it is two out of two. In terms of defence. Are we way

above expectations or secretly on track? A year ago we would have been

astounded and delighted to have won a gold medal in the men's team

sprint and the men's team pursuit gold medal. But the last two or

three months the form as escalated. They were confident coming out of

the Newport training camp. There is evidence to show that they are going

quickly. So the confidence is based on evidence. Having seen the times,

seeing them in training. People close to the team knew there was

something special coming. There is more to come. I think five, six gold

medals is a possibility out of the ten.

I wonder how the other teams reacted to this Chris? Clearly the Kiwis and

the Aussies felt there was a chance of usurping Great Britain's

dominance on the track this time? Absolutely.

It was very much, similar to Beijing and London. In that the first ride

of the Games was the men's sprint qualifier. When GB were not the FA

Ritz they smashed it out of the park Olympic record. And you can see

watching the other teams, the heads dropping when they looked at the

scoreboard and saw the time. This was history Pre-Budget Reporting

itself. To have that morale and the momentum in the team there is no

price you can put on it. It is worth so much to the team. There are new

names coming through. Becky James going in the Keirin and trying to do

what Victoria Pendleton did four years ago. Also, Katie Archibald and

Elinor Barker. The possibilities are many and varied? Yes, absolutely.

The team pursuits, there are rookies in there, although it is the first

Olympicses they are experienced. Winning world titles, pro breaking

world records, European champions so that they have the experience and

the confidence to step up on the biggest stage to perform. Becky

James, a great story for her to make it to the Games. An horrendous

injury that put her out for six months. She got back on the beak

recently. Winning a surprise medal in the Keirin. Purely through

determination and tactics, she did not have the pace. Very much

underdone going into the World Championships. So here now in the

form of her life with the pace, the speed and the tactics. Keeping our

fingers crossed. It is a hard event to call, the Keirin. Never a sure

thing with the tactics but hopefully she can do the business.

Chris, I know you and I never take a conversation like this for granted

but we remember at lenta 1996 that Britain came home with one gold

medal. Comparing the sport with where it was only 20 years ago? It

is almost unrecognisable. But it took the massive underperformance

for us to sit back and take note and realise you must invest in sport. It

was the National Lottery's investment in 1988 that was the

turning point for the British Olympic sports. For me it was when I

was coming to the end of university. I would have had to have gotten a

job, go out, do something... Thankfully I was able to... It is a

lifeline. Not enough but enough to pay the rent, put food on the table

and allow to train full-time. That is key. It provided facilities,

coaches, equipment. It started the ball rolling. Money does not buy

medals but gives the opportunity to build something. British cycling has

an amazing success story here. But it is not just cycling it is across

all of the sports. Hey, Chris, you have done OK since

then?! It has been a delight to speak with you. Go well today and we

will catch your later. The fact we are having the debate about who is

the greatest British Olympian is incredible.

The greatest Olympian it is phenomenal.

But these are athletes that have achieved much in their careers.

I want everybody to know, I am the greatest.

There are those that tell you straight. You can't argue with that.

For the rest of us, well, we needed to define ourselves.

The Games combine the religious sense and fiscal strength of beauty.

We are constantly measuring, come pairing, contrasting.

A champion needs determination, the will to win. The killer instinct.

That's the beauty of sport. Every age produces its hero... So,

who is the greatest? Usain Bolt has blown them away! History is being

made, Carl Lewis. I was standing on top with the gold medal.

One man stands out... The 15th Olympic Games, the Zatapak Games.

Do the record books tell the story? A new Olympic and world record. Mark

Spitz won the gold every time he swam. In all seven events.

Do the numbers add up? Michael Phelps 22nd Olympic gold.

Sir Chris Hoy. Anyone who is near me, you have my

permission to shoot them! Or is it about what touches us? Faultless.

And that is Olympic history for Nadia Comaneche.

The emotion... Gold for Freeman. A moment captured in time... The

100m in the Olympic Games in Berlin. Thank you for having me.

The debate goes on and on and on. But that is the beauty of sport.

And if we had all of the answer, well... That would be no fun at all.

And it is fun. These Rio Games have been fun so far. There is more, we

hope, to come over the next few hours as we watch the fortunes of

not just Great Britain's athletes but everyone else. In fact, other

athletes are very much storming to success. We have been reflecting on

that. The first live sport this morning is badminton. We are in the

group stages. Which means you must come in the first two pairs of the

four in each group in order to get through to the knock-out phases in

the quarter-finals. It is an Indonesian pair. Two time world

champions and the second seeds. They lost the opening match. They

have to now make sure that they beat the Chinese Khai and Hong to go

through to the quarter-final places. The trade there with the Chinese. A

tight match. They missed a call. It could easily

go the distance. The two met in the World Super Series final in Dubai.

It is more of an achievement in terms of silverware, for the

Indonesians. But the Chinese are very experienced. They have won

title, big titles before. Well done from Chai. A succession of

fiercely struck smashes. And the Indonesian pair always on

the back foot there. Stranded towards the back court.

Regaining the surface, the Indonesians. A tight shot to call.

That is important. Who can put together the run of service points

and keep the serve for a period of time and serve effectively.

Hit good areas. Oh! On that, finding some very good smashes in the game.

Excellent reach there. It's a dynamic smash. A really good

snap. It reached the mid-point.

This opening game. Important that the Indonesians took that one.

Staying in touch the four points down.

Good fade. It is becoming tighter, again. Two points since the

interval. That was a bit cheap, yes. The

reaction of Ahsan was telling. The lead back up to five points now

for the Chinese. Make that six. This could be the decisive move.

The Indonesians are idolised in their home country. Realistically,

chances for a medal for the Indonesians in the badminton events

looking to come in the doubles events where they have stronger

options. They got caught back from the net,

not where they want to be, the Indonesians. Caught back defending.

Doing the smashing from the back court. Setiawan has a good reading

of the game. Trailing by five, now. We have a

change of shuttle. That one was wide. Ahsan is the

younger of the two, very speedy. Not that Setiawan is not. Ahsan is

particularly quick. Hong's smashing has been excellent.

A big reason for the early lead which they still have. Three points

from taking the opening game. It was wide again. Just Chai and

Hong's ability in this game to be a little bit more aggressive, which is

proving to be the difference. The game is all over in favour of

Chai and Hong. If you want to continue watching you

can find it on the app and the website. Chris and Gabby Adcock will

have the last of their matches in this group phase. Plenty on offer

across the Olympic programme. We will concentrate on events in the

Velodrome. Two Olympic titles retained so far. A 100% record. I

wonder what chances you would give British cyclist into more today, the

women's keirin and the women's team pursuit. Chris and Jill are bare.

Personnel may have changed in those events that gauge the chances for us

today. Yes, Hazel, it will be interesting

to see if the women repeat what the men did in the team pursuit. It was

an historic and emotional moment last night. Camp the women back it

up? Yes, I think they can, but it will not be easy. It will be a more

obvious fight. The Americans they will be up against. Sarah Hammond

made mistakes and she has more to give. If she did longer terms at the

start the team could go quick and they could have a fight on their

hands. The team spirit will be at an all-time high at the minute. Like in

Beijing and London, when you get the great start going you believe in

yourselves as a team and think if the programme has worked for them it

will work for me and morale was raised. Morale is one of the most

important things at an Olympics. If you have believe anything can

happen. Let's look back at last night. A fantastic performance from

the British quartet, but they left it late. Unprecedented is the word

of that event. We saw 1-1, 55 second kilometres after that. It was close.

With one kilometre to go they were nine thousandths of a second adrift.

Steven Burke did a mammoth turn in the middle, paying for it, to get

them back on terms. I am not sure the crowd knows all the riders knew

there was just four left. An incredible ride to get back into

contact. Where he found the strength to close the gap after such a hard

ride, if he had not closed the gap we would not have got it. A

brilliant ride. Horrible to commentate on, I have to say. It was

nerve-racking to watch for everyone here and fans at home. Chris, you

were with Sir Steve Redgrave, watching history unfold and it was

not an easy watch. Steve was sitting next to me and when the Aussies went

off at 101, he said, that is fast, I said, don't worry, it will be fine.

As we got further in, he could sense I was not exactly looking optimistic

and what a finish. We were jumping up and down. Big celebrations. It is

nice to still enjoy it on the other side of the fence, seeing the

British success. And we get a beer afterwards, as well. Early to bed

after that one, I knew it was a long day today! Let's look now at what we

can expect today with Becky James coming up in the keirin and Chris,

you are Olympic champion in that event. It is fantastic to see Becky

James making her debut, given the two years she has had. She had a

terrible couple of years. A four-time world medallist in the 20

13th World Championships and then had a terrible time with a

horrendous injury that put her out for six months and she got back in

time for the World Championships, not at full fitness, winning a

bronze medal on tactics and determination, out of the blue. Now

she has the form and speed, hopefully she can bring it together

but it is unpredictable event. Her family are here to support her and a

special time for them, given that she fought back from illness and

injury. Anna Meares, one of the greats of cycling. One thing to see

people act gold medal standards, it is another to see them do it again

and again and I don't know how people deal with that and you go

into it next time with the weight of expectation. I think she is

remarkable and an ambassador for the sport, which sounds a cliche but she

enjoys what she does. She tried retiring and came back again. We

will see her in the keirin shortly. And for those of you new to track

cycling, Chris will explain about the little fellow on the motorbike.

Essentially it is a pace rider who makes sure you cannot overtake them.

It builds up pace from zero up to 60 kilometres per hour for the men and

55 for the women. When the pace is on the track, the race has not

begun. What makes a good keirin rider? Courage has to be one of

them. I don't know how you deal with so much information and the dynamics

of everybody else riding their race at the same time. It is instinctive.

Becky James goes in the third heat of the women's keirin. In the

moments before you get on the track, Chris, we seek some sitting with

music, others with a towel over their head, what did you do?

bike I tried to visualise the race, the best case scenario. It isn't

easy, so many variables, it isn't like a time trial where you can

predict what it's going to be like. You have various plans and if it

goes wrong, like it did for me in Melbourne in 2012, you have another

plan, you can go inside. Watching that one, people were saying, he's

boxed in, he's lost, and then he's won. I missed it because I had my

eyes closed, it was so nervous and you said, so did you! Let's get the

first key ring race underway, it is the women's keirin. -- keirin.

COMMENTATOR: Incredible mental strength she knows she has a tough

draw, but perhaps that's what she looks for. This is the predetermined

order they will have to write behind the derny. The Canadian, Monique

Sullivan, fourth place in the World Championships last summer and the

American Games champion. Then Anna Meares, 32, fifth place in London,

world champion in 2015. Rush's Anastasia boing over, fifth in

Guadalajara, the best World Cup formance of the last few years --

Anastasiia Voinova. Kristina Vogel, the world champion

in 2014 and 2015. She was tenth in London in 24, winning the World Cup

in Colombia earlier this year. Certainly a very competitive heat.

More so with the Chinese rider having a gold medal in the team

sprint yesterday. Here is the derny who will go around. The gun goes and

the riders are off. Well, the keirin was first

introduced in the Olympics for the men in 2004 the women only in 2012,

Victoria Pendleton winning that, and it emanates from Japan. It was

introduced in the late 40s. The retirement of Victoria Pendleton

sees a different dynamic in women's keirin racing now because for so

many years it was Anna Meares against Victoria Pendleton. Now the

field is much more equal without the standout favourites. So many women

have now become professionals in every sense of the word and it has

risen the level of the competition to a more equal level. In this

keirin, at least seven riders who could potentially win. The top two

will go through, so plenty at stake. The remaining riders have a second

chance in the repechage, but if you have the tensions to win the gold

medal, you don't want to write the repechage round. The derny is

increasing in speed all the time. Five laps to go. Eight in total. The

last two and a half will be without the derny and it will be a full on

Sprint. You can see the derny rider, looking at his speed very closely.

He has strict instructions, the pace he must do and if he goes off it it

will interrupt the riders and they won't be happy, so he has to keep

the riders study. Just going through the mental procedure of preparing

for anything because when the derny rolls off, it's going to be everyone

everywhere. Anna Meares is just watching her competition behind her.

She rides a very smooth race from the middle, very clever at keeping

an eye on the riders behind her and those in front of her. And looking

around now, it is Sullivan who looks around, Vogel is behind her. The

derny is off now and now the race starts. You can see Anna Meares

Comanche always leaves a gap in front of her. Now she makes a move.

She was to be in the front and to be in control, slipping behind

Sullivan. Here comes the Chinese rider Gong Jinjie inside Sullivan.

There goes the bell. Anna Meares coming over the top of Sullivan.

Kristina Vogel now on the outside. Anna Meares, these are the gold and

silver-medallists at the World Championships. Anna Meares is going

strong, great ride from the Australian. Vogel and Anna Meares

going through. Those are the two we expected, impressive speed from

Vogel. Anna Meares running the perfect race car moving on the

outside to make it difficult for Vogel but she fought back to us to

make a point. Showing she has the speed in the legs. So much about

that, isn't it, showing your rivals what you've got. You can see, Anna

Meares doing very well do, over the Chinese rider, Gong Jinjie, but

Vogel was powering on. The Colombian, in third. The winners of

each heat will go through to the rest -- repechage -- the third

place. Anna Meares in second place. Both go directly into the second

round. Well, it isn't that important as

long as you first or second in the first round. It is the latter stages

where it obviously gets very tense. She'll be happy. She'll be happy to

be true. She might be a bit intimidated by the speed of Vogel.

The German rider really made a point, coming over the top at the

end, fighting back. So this is the second heat. The top of the track,

Virginie Cueff, the French rider, European silver-medallist. The

second of the Russian riders, Shmeleva, winning all of the junior

events she entered in 2012. 17th at the World Championships, tenth in

the World Cup in New Zealand. That is Zhong Tianshi, gold medal already

in the team sprint. This is the bronze-medallist from London in

2012, Lee Wai Sze. And from Spain, Tania Calva.

Getting the speed up to around 25, 30 kilometres per hour, initially.

You see the riders pushing on the pedals and exploding off the blocks

because they want to get into position behind the derny. They know

what position they want to be into. Well, Sarah Li, from Hong Kong, only

China's the medal ever in Olympic sport and their first cycling medal,

in London in 2012. Olivia Podmore, the New Zealander behind her and

then the Spaniard, Calvo, followed by Zhong Tianshi. At the back of the

field, Shmeleva. The quality of the first heat, this is such a wide open

field across all four heats in the keirin. Only the second time it has

been held at the Olympic Games for the women. Kirin has been around for

women at champion ship level for a long time but now, the depth and the

quality of women that are concentrating on the event as an

Olympic event, it has made the competition so much stronger, and

the level of competition. So many people in the competition who could

win the gold medal. In this heat, the rider at the front will be the

one to watch. A gold-medallist, the flag bearer for Hong Kong in 2012.

She has been through the phases of riding Olympic Games before. She is

the Asian champion as well. She has some decent form of late, as the

derny increases in speed. Three laps to go, it's going to start happening

here. The derny drops off and the Spaniard Calvo goes to the front.

Here comes Cueff, the French rider on the outside and on the outside,

Zhong Tianshi, with van Riessen on her wheel. The top two will go

through. Lee Wai Sze is fighting back. Terrible crash! New Zealand,

France and Spain going out. Meanwhile, it is Lee Wai Sze going

through and Zhong Tianshi. It is one of the most dangerous events on the

track, plenty of bumping going on, and a very nasty crash. They were

the two riders we would have expected to go through, from Hong

Kong and China, the Chinese rider having to plug speed after winning

the team sprint last night. But that's the disadvantage of not being

at the front. That is a heavy fall for the kiwi. It looked like Cueff

the French rider came across and bumped into the Dutch rider. Van

Riessen managed to stay out. That happened just above us on the track

and we can see the cyclists now receiving some medical treatment. We

hope they are OK after a very nasty crash. That can happen in Kear in

racing. It can happen at any time, especially in the Olympics when you

are being desperate to try and qualify. They were bunching up, the

pace at the front was clearly starting to slow a little bit and a

touch of wheels and they went down like dominoes, a really nasty one.

The Kiwi girl is still lying down, I think she's all right. Wow. Get the

slow motion of that, the French rider was pretty much the one at

fault I think, she was off balance but she couldn't hold herself up.

It's certainly hearts when you go to ground at that pace. I'm amazed the

Dutch rider stayed up. She will have a burn on the right-hand side, she

was pushed into the barrier and managed to stay upright because the

barrier was there to hold her. So quick, the medics, to get onto the

track and help them and I can see the British team doctors also

shooting in, seeing if they can get any help. We've seen crashes like

this before in keirin racing, it's exciting, we spoke about courage

before. I asked Chris Boardman about it and he said that you need to be

brave. They will make some repairs to the track but it means that Becky

James is going to have to wait before she goes for her race, the

third heat. This won't be bothering her, she'll be getting herself

ready, preparing. You almost expect this to happen in one of the races,

it is a very physical event, it is fast, they are so close together, it

isn't uncommon to see crashes but it is great to see them back on their

feet and they are tough, they will be back in the next round, they will

have a clean suit with no holes in it and we'll be back for the

repechage. They will be getting back for the repechage. That is what they

do to the track, they must make sure it is absolutely smooth and safe,

especially on the corners which are used a lot in this kind of racing.

Sometimes if it is a timed event, they are more at the bottom, but on

the banking in this kind of event it is vital to have a smooth track. It

is, and from the safety point of view, if you are sliding on your

back and you pick up a splinter, it can be really nasty so the track

must be completely smooth. That was a particularly bad crash, falling

into the track with quite a lot of force. Just glad to see them all

walking. Very easy to break your collarbone in that kind of crash but

it seems they are OK. Melissa Hoskins of the Australian team in

action later in the team pursuit, they had that crash in training but

great to see that they will be racing later today. I saw Rohan

Dennis also, he is a supporter. You know, you think on the track it is

safer than the road but at times it isn't and we will never forget Wang,

the terrible in Manchester when he had a piece of wood going through

his calf. I was riding around and heard a

crash behind me, I had crossed the line, celebrating went to shake

everybody's hand. Nobody was there. I realised how severe the crash was.

A splinter that size straight the way through his calf. For those of

you who like that kind of thing, you can see the video on YouTube. It was

shocking. He made it back for the Olympics, but gruesome. We will see

Becky James later. We will take a pause while they repaired the track.

Telling tales of the unexpected at the Velodrome. When you see the

technical officials climbing up a ladder, it gives you a good idea of

how steep that banking is at the Velodrome. It is a scary piece of

equipment. Not that I have tackled it. We should be able to find out

how Becky James goes later. But we have a date at Lagoa because the

last four races in the regatta are about to get going, with a single

scholars and the men and women's eight. This venue has even asked

glorious sights in a spectacular place and glorious memories already.

Two gold medals and a silver and possibly today more, John.

After postponements and the weather and too much wind and we get to the

finale of the regatta beneath perfect blue skies and this place

looks sensational. We said it would be the iconic venue of the Olympics

and that is what it feels like today and as a British point of view, we

are hoping the rowers will kick off Super Saturday after a Fantastic

Friday. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning

one big race from defending their 2012 medal. These are the days they

live for. Fingers crossed. They are away. Good luck, Hallen, good luck,

Heather. Watch, the opening 100, the 250 metres mark is where the British

crew will pound it. They will go out hard, they will go out strong. They

are taking control of the race the same way they have throughout this

Olympiad. They are searchers, they keep searching for improvement and

they keep moving the bar on, even though they are already at the top.

Coming up and threw the first timing mark will stop a quarter of the race

gone. A sensational first 500 for Helen and Heather.

We had a push from them. It has opened up clear water. This is an

imperious display. The last 50 strokes and Glover and Heather

Stanning have dominated from the first stroke. We are watching. Be

inspired by the journey over the last Olympiad. They are undefeated

in this combination as they come to 250 out. The one crew that has dared

to take them on, Russ Musson and Anderson. A length ahead and still

just clear water. We have Denmark and New Zealand fighting for the

silver medal. 100 out. Their heads are still held high. Denmark coming

hard, New Zealand are coming hard. They are going to run out of water

and so they should because they were made to pay for it in the opening

1000 metres. They are fearless, they are without equal, they are history

makers. Great Britain's Glover and Stanning have defended their title

and they have done it in style. It is carnival time at the Lagoa for

Great Britain and they have shown the world they are the very best in

this event. History makers here, again. Can you

compare it to four years ago? It means so much more. We put a lot of

pressure on ourselves, as much as we have tried to talk it down. I have

been emotional this week and this is not me. It means so much. London was

a home games and there is nothing more special, but this is like,

defending a title, we are not just good once, we manage to be good

everyday and we have raced the last four years. Steve, Mr Glover, how

was that performers? I like that, Mr Glover! It was extraordinary, what

we hoped for. Strong start and they held it the entire race and seeing

them come in towards the end was the most emotional thing I have seen in

my life. You get box seats to watch the national anthem and their medal

ceremony. I know, I cannot believe it, I am going to blub like a baby

as I have been doing the last minutes. Olympic champions, Helen

Glover and Heather Stanning. Here we go. We did it in Sydney,

Athens, Beijing and then in London. Can it be five in a row in the men's

coxless four for Great Britain? Bae is it off. Onto the second, the

third, a sharp start from the British crew. Look at the Italians.

North of 40 strokes per minute. They go out hard and fast.

We do not want a dogfight between us and Australia and also we do not

want to go out too hard. Lane four, Australia moving the better. They

are striking lower, the British are pretty high, Australia, 37, but they

want to make sure each stroke is efficient. Not much in it. Between

the two, Great Britain and Australia. Both of those have opened

up clear water. The British group on their first big push coming away

from 1000 metres. All of the miles they have done and training on the

rowing machines and the weights, this is where they rely on it. Alex

Gregory, down to Mo are relaxed. They are focused on what they are

doing. This is what they have trained for. This is 500 metres of

pain. They will enjoy this. Every little bit they make it hurt

themselves, they will pile the pain onto the Australians and that is

what I would be enjoying and taking to the Australians now.

Three quarters of a length out. 25 strokes from the line. For the last

time in the Olympic final. Australia have to throw everything at it. The

British, their heads are up. Still focused. Incredible discipline. That

is what you need to win a race. Back out to three quarters, 100 out.

They have done enough. They can allow themselves to think they have

done enough. It will be five in a row for Great Britain with Alex

Gregory getting his second. The British have come under pressure at

the halfway mark and they have responded, they are the Olympic

champions. They have done it in style again. That is exactly what we

would expect. Hats off to Jurgen Grobler who has led the British four

through the last five Olympiads to do this. There was no doubt. They

were not looking out of the boat, absolute credit to the way they have

trained and prepared for this. We just nailed that. It was our

perfect race and we did it right at the right time on the right day and

these boys, I mean, good lads. Yergin, five in a row, how fantastic

is that? -- Jurgen Grobler. You don't count the ones in the past,

you always look to the next one. A fantastic race. They must be really

thrilled. They wanted this more than anything. You don't dare talk about

winning medals at this stage. You know that they want them. I would

never talk about bring back a gold medal, never. And now you are in

this funny post-race, it is all over.

It is time for a drink! It was a fantastic day yesterday. Almost the

most wonderful picture in that great piece. Gold medal television, the

shot of Jurgen Grobler looking so happy. And so he should. I can watch

the rowing and don't get that emotional about watching the rowing,

but watching the families does get to me and watching that, it was a

fantastic piece of two outstanding crews. We will talk about the rowers

in a second but Jurgen Grobler and his legacy, he has created this

dynasty now. Even if he resigned tomorrow and went off to live on the

Moon, his impact on British rowing would be massive. Not just the boats

he has been chief coach off, he is the men's chief coach and being the

coach of the four for the last five Olympics, those medals alone. The

impact of the infrastructure changes. When he came from East

Germany, he said to me, I need to have a meeting with the sports

minister and I asked why. He said, there are fundamental changes we

need to make. I said it is not worth talking to the sports minister. It

has changed. Slowly it has taken a long time and he has changed the

infrastructure which helps the women, men, lightweight crews. Has

he effectively turns the sport from amateur to professional? Very much

so. Andy myself, Matthew and myself, we were professional athletes. We

did not get paid, but we trained with a professional mindset. He has

set up the other athletes to do the same and he has helped put the

infrastructure behind to support the athletes to get those results. One

of the great things he would like to see happen today is the men's eight

back-up what the men's four did yesterday and I mentioned the

friendly rivalry with German colleagues next door and I think it

extends to the boat yard. We can go to Matthew Pinsent.

This is the British eight in final preparation. We have fantastic

access to the boat yard and notably German TV happened and they are

furious about it. Anyway, I will talk you through this. We are

enjoying the Union Jack logo. Every boat has this aerial attached to a

data centre provided by the official timekeepers so we get times, data,

rate of striking. There is some tech McLaren designed for British Rowing,

to keep the wind off, marginal gains and all that. And into the rowing

seats, as normal in the middle of the eight, we have a tandem.

Normally strict side, bow side, they alternate which side they row on.

And this is vital, this area. If we can get this firing the whole eight

fires and the reason is biomechanics have told the British coaches the

forces work out best if these two are in a tandem. We need this

cooking on gas today. The other vital seat, they are all vital, but

the other nerve centre is Phelan Hill's seat, the Cox's seat. It is

important he has a great day. He has very few off days. It is an enormous

drag race to win this medal. There is a saying, the ambulances wait at

the finish. Translation, you have to bury yourself physically to win it

will stop we have these conversations yesterday, is the

men's four 25% each. I am struggling with the maths but

nine into 100, 12... It is not, in 11 and a bit. We know what you mean.

Is everybody 11%? When you get to this level and standard, yes, every

man and woman has to be firing, to be at their best because they are

racing their best and if one person is half a per cent off, that will

make an effect on the boat speed which determines what possible, of

medal you get or if you get into the medals.

On a Saturday, these are the kind of races that people see every four

years, they will watch the four, and they will save the cox, how

important is a good cox in the men's eight? Hugely important, there are

boats that don't have the cox, but if they are on the boat, they are a

part of it, reading the race, the information they are getting. When

you don't have the cox, you are out of breath, one person is shouting

the calls and it has to be transferred in your own mind, what

it means, whereas the cox can spell it out, what's happening sometimes

that is good and sometimes it is bad. Very reassured to know how

important he was, Gary. I don't know about Gary! This is a brutal race

coming up, the eighth is the powerboat, but this is a very hard

run, for very single-minded individuals. Mahe Drysdale against

Synek is probably the showdown. Drysdale tends to come up on the

really big occasions. I was talking to Synek earlier in the regatta. He

lost against him in the semifinal. He is not done and dusted yet. Going

through security this morning I saw a T-shirt that's that" real athletes

ro and other athletes just play Games." I think that Gary would

endorse that. COMMENTATOR: These are the gladiators of world rowing, the

last six now that won gold. Fubar in lane one, we have Belarus in two,

the Czech Republic in three, the world champion, Synek. Mahe Drysdale

goes in number four. Martin from Croatia.

This is a big race for the Czech Republic. Synek and Drysdale. Yes,

massive race. The defending Olympic champion, Drysdale. But since

London, Synek has been the triple world champion. Not a good season

but twice a silver-medallist. He is not going to Tokyo so he has to do

it now. Drysdale has had the better of him in the quarterfinal, so it is

all to play for. Stunning conditions here as the cruise the start for the

final time here, the final of the men's single sculls. Cuba, Belarus,

Czech Republic, New Zealand, Croatia and Belgium closest to us. At the

top, Rodriguez. Gorgeous views down on the Lagoa Stadium. These

gladiators, the first 100 metres gone, full sprint. Additionally,

Drysdale, the defending Olympic champion has not had the better of

Synek, the world champion, in this Olympiad. Typically he is slow off.

But he will evolve through as he comes into the red. At the moment,

Daniel Martin is taking it on. He has a good sprint on him. Synek has

traditionally been very strong from 800 metres through to the finish and

Drysdale, even stronger. What Synek showed in the semis, he has the

speed in the first thousands to take it to Drysdale and that is his

chance, he's got to put pressure on Drysdale and back it up in the third

quarter which is what he hasn't done this season. Speed in the first half

costing him in the second. We can forget Martin, I think bronze is his

best shot realistically but Synek wants to take gold, he has to take

the rest of losing. He's got to put himself in the hurt locker. The

first quarter gone, 500. Martin over Synek, with Mahe Drysdale from New

Zealand, the defending Olympic champion in amongst it all. Into the

second 500 metres. These crews, these gladiators, these giants will

start to stretch it out now, the leaders, Martin, Synek and Drysdale,

looking to stretch out and open up over the field, Angel Rodriguez.

Shcharbachenia from Belarus in two Ammar then Synek, Drysdale, Martin

and Obreno in six. Struggling with the opening pace which has been set

by Martin from Croatia. Three scholars now easing out through the

750-metre mark. -- scullers. Coming up through the middle, like a black

shark, he is defending against a tough field. Martin has actually

done Synek a favour here. Mahe Drysdale in the middle is between

Croatia and the Czech Republic, both of them having gone out fast. The

danger is that Drysdale will feel left out. He'll be tested mentally.

Martin has put himself in a position, the others think that

bronze is beyond them and he thinks he may be able to crack Synek as

well and get silver. It is all to play for, for Synek because he can

put Drysdale under serious pressure. So the screw starting to turn now

for Martin because he's going to be chased hard by Mahe Drysdale and

Synek, the current world champion. Dominant through this Olympiad,

Synek, who is in three, Drysdale who is in four. Martin has led from the

first. The final 500 metres, this is where it is going to be a battle of

minds. For years, these scullers have battled and they know each

other so well and in the second half of the Olympic final base is a

battle of minds. And it may be a replay of the last World Cup race,

where Martin from Croatia lead and he got caught by Drysdale and Synek

finished in fourth place. I don't think Synek will do that today but

Martin has put himself in a fantastic position. It could be a

battle with him and Drysdale. We thought it would be Drysdale and

Synek but Martin has put himself in the right position. But it was the

black shark, Drysdale. The killer whale coming through! He has kicked

on, the rate has come up, he has said, enough of this, thank you for

placing me out here and I'm going to take it now. And look, Mahe

Drysdale, 37 years old, the black boat gaming through the water as he

hits the front and from the timing perspective, that what you want to

do. And the 1500 metre mark in the final of the men's single sculls,

timed to perfection so far, hitting the front. Drysdale is looking to

make it two in a row at the Olympic Games. Look how stressed out the

field is. Drysdale, from Martin, from Synek, from the Czech Republic,

who is the world champion. At the moment, he has had a bad back

through the Olympics. He doesn't row every day, a lot of training on the

machine but mostly on the bike as well. He has years of training in

the boat. The fitness in the legs and lungs, he's got to keep on top

of that when he's out of the boat and he hasn't put a foot wrong, in

the heats, the court and semifinal. He has been chipping away at the

confidence of the other scullers and this is a replay from Martin last

night, Drysdale riding him down at the end. This is an action replay of

the whole year, Synek is in Drysdale's wash and now he is

chasing Martin for the Silver Medal. He already has two of those and he

might get a third, who knows? Can Martin hold off Synek? Synek is

pushing hard. 100 metres from the line, they are at maximum speed,

right back to the European champion this year, Martin is going to grow

him down, he has found the speed! He has come up level, coming through

here! Fortune favouring the brave, shooting up the site to get the

maximum speed and Drysdale has two polls on big strokes here if he's

going to beat him, and he hasn't done it, unbelievable! Damir Martin,

the European champion. It's going to be a photo finish. I think that

Damir Martin from Croatia over the last ten strokes just lifted the

boat out of the water and absolutely hold it at the -- through it at the

finishing line. The defending Olympic champion, Mahe Drysdale, 100

metres out, that is how cruel these vinyls are. You say that fortune

favours the brave, I thought he had gone out hard to give himself a

guaranteed medal. Drysdale came through, I never thought Martin

would come back. That is a phenomenal result. Look for the

photo finish. Performing above expectation. Synek was crushed by

both of them and Martin can be hugely proud of how he raced. That

was the best performance of his life. It wasn't Drysdale's

performance of his life. Martin getting the best performance of his

life on the day that matters. Look at this here thou, looking right,

the strokes are short but fast, it looked as if the bows went. That is

the power, we are waiting for confirmation here. Dead heat! A dead

heat! They are giving it an absolute dead heat. Make them do it again!

CHEERING The Olympic Games is all about magic

and great stories. 2000 metres and they had given it a dead heat.

Drysdale and Martin are the Olympic champions the 2016 here at the

Lagoa. It looked to me as if Martin had got his bows ahead here, but

this is what these Games are about. As I said, Drysdale wrote a really

good race and Martin wrote a great race -- rowed. He put himself in a

perfect position to get through with 500 metres to go, but Martin found

something deep within him that the Croatian doubled it as well and you

are never beaten until you think you are. Despite our thinking that he

was beaten, he didn't and that is the crucial thing is that the others

should learn from, it isn't over at all, no matter the pedigree of the

person you might be racing, it isn't over and Martin has done that with

Drysdale. Drysdale has beaten him countless times, but not today. I

said at the beginning that they were gladiators and they've lived up to

that label here. Mahe Drysdale from New Zealand, bang on, there it is.

Just getting confirmation that although on the line is first and

second, dead on time, I'm being told that Damir Martin will be given the

Silver Medal, but let's wait and see what happens. As pleased as he can

be with his race, to have the same time and end up with the silver is

harsh, they should do it again or both be given gold. Is that the most

exciting race of roaring that you've ever seen? Extraordinary. To save

what James said, how can they both have the same time and not have the

same position in the race? I don't understand that at all, we get dead

heats very rarely, that is what was announced. They showed a graphic of

millimetres between them. They could separate it and if they can do that

on the photograph, they've got to be able to do it on time. That is poor

management. As we understand, Drysdale is the champion and Martin

is the silver-medallist. They have published the time to within 100 of

a second, I suppose they have 1000th, which is what has given

Drysdale the gold medal. Maybe they should bring that. Exactly, I know

the rule book reasonably well but I haven't really looked at what

happens if it is a race as close as that. Normally we can separate them.

Normally we go down to the hundredths of a second. See how FISA

explain that. Amazing race. We can see the last 200 metres. I have to

say, 200 out, Drysdale had won it. Synek, normally a front runner. He

doesn't normally come from behind. Couldn't see him coming back. Martin

was giving an interview by me yesterday in the semifinals and he

said that it is just great to be in the final with these guys, but

saying that he is one of these guys now and he proved it.

That is a face of bemusement and the world and on Damir Martin. And

Mahela trial stay behind him. This is one of those times when you can

ask the question, how do you feel, when you have exactly the same time.

Can we have one question? What an unbelievable race. It was tough.

Really happy with that win. It took everything. I am sorry, John, I

cannot allow that to happen. The Kiwis should get in first. If he can

come back to us, we should get in. But the honour of the process should

happen. They have a good chance the women's single sculls. We will

clarify how that situation has come about with Drysdale being the gold

medallist and Martin of Croatia getting a silver medal when they had

exactly the same times. Let's look ahead at what is coming up will stop

two crews inaction, the men's eight and first of all the women's eight.

This is the cox in the boat giving you a guide to their individuals and

personalities. I am the cox of the GB women's

eight, I am Zoe de Toledo. At stroke is Zoe Lee, she is very bright,

having just finished her Ph.D. . Very precise, good rhythmically,

perfect in the stroke seat. In the seven seat is Karen Bennett, and

this is her first Olympic Games. She is reasonably new in the team but

you would not tell given how calm she is under pressure. Olivia is in

number six seat, leading the stern with her big rhythm. Off the water

she is bubbly, on the water she is steely determination.

In the five seat we have Jess, she is a veteran of the women's eight

and this is her third Olympics and she is an inspiration to the crew,

and she leads us, motivates us. She is a big personality who sets up how

the boat works. Sitting at four is Polly Swann, who missed London 2012

through injury but has fought her way back to win her seat in the

eight this year. Frances Houghton, we call her the

Messiah, but with this being her fifth Olympic Games her input is

valuable to the crew and we are incredibly lucky to have her. In the

two seat is Mel Wilson, the technical wizard. Often heard

trading of sentences as she tries to give us technical focus mid session.

Completing the line-up in the bow seat is Katie, who keeps us on our

toes and make sure we do the best job we can. And I am the cox and my

job is to keep them on the same page and tidy up the edges when they do

the hard work. They call me the gnome.

And this is proof of the hard work Damir Martin put in to win what we

are pretty sure is a silver medal in the men's single sculls and

exhaustion. The paramedics on hand and ensuring his heart rate is all

right. That is what it takes. Putting it all in, he put it in and

more and in the end was frustrated by the most narrow, just the most

inconceivably narrow margin. You can see he is exhausted but he is with

it. If he had won the gold medal, I am sure he would be bouncing about

and the adrenaline would still be pumping. He is able to drink water,

so that is fine and I hope you drink something tougher than that tonight

because he deserves it. An extraordinary way to kick off the

regatta today. Let's head down to Matthew Pinsent, who is backed away.

This is the women's eight, who are just leaving for their final. They

do the final check. There are restraints that make sure you can

get out of the boat should the worst happen. The Serbian pair needed

those earlier in the week. Now it is time to go out onto the Lagoa to

race for gold. Mahe Drysdale, the extended version

now of the interview. Talk us through the last 200 metres. It was

painful. I got a good lead and thought I was comfortable and Damir

Martin started closing me down. I felt he was probably just in front

of me in the last few strokes and I had to chuck in short ones to try to

get in front and it was an agonising way to the finish. He asked what was

the result? Did you not know? I had no idea. I knew I had to get across

the line. I saw a replay and saw he was in front but probably just got

him on the surge. You got the same time. Should you both get gold

medals? I don't know. I have not seen the photo. It took them a long

time, maybe there is a case for it. We have had people doubling up from

London to hear and you are another. How does winning another gold medal

compare with the first time? It is pretty special, especially at 37

when people start writing you off and did its good to get back on top

and do one for the old people. 41? Many congratulations. That was an

extraordinary race. Martin, I think, is back on his feet and is being

taken to the podium for the medal ceremony. What a great start that

was. Before we talk about... Talk about what a super human effort by

the Croatian, 200 from the end, to say, I have been passed, but I have

one last bit in me. It was incredible, from both sides. Martin

from Croatia, he has been on the circuit awhile. He has been very

good. He was over the moon to be in the final but mentally he felt he

was in with a shout but realistically, not with the two

class scullers with Synek and Mahe Drysdale. And to produce that. He

was half a length down and you thought, his race is done, take the

bronze medal and run away, but no, he stuck into it and came back. Mahe

Drysdale was down but the surge of the boat, when the blades goes in

the water, you think it makes your boat go faster but it stops the boat

and when Martin lost the medal was putting the blades in the water. If

he had let the boat glide he would be gold medallist now. From the

women to the men's eight. This is Will Satch talking us through the

British crew. I am Will Satch, stroke of the men's

eight and I am going to introduce the group. Our bow man we call a

Latin because he is riding the carpet in the bow seat. In front of

him, Vergini, the big guy in the boat, a strong move. He has been in

the eight for eight consecutive years. Andy Hodge bringing

experienced to the boat, a double Olympic champion and an honour to

row with the man. Matt Gotrel is extremely tidy. I share a flat with

him. He is jack of all trades and chuck him into any sport he would be

a topic. Pete Reed is a commander who brings experience to the boat.

Double Olympic champion, lots of confidence, a man in charge.

Paul Bennett in six, the man mountain. He is almost seven foot

tall and I would not want anyone else in that seat.

At seven, Matt Langridge, hot on my tail, backing me up all the way,

probably the most gifted oarsmen but late to every session. Phelan Hill,

he is the man in charge, he is in control and he is the smallest in

the boat. And me, I am leading these feathers. Bronze medal last time,

hopefully this time it will be a gold medal.

It is a good mixture of youth and experience in the crew, in contrast

with the New Zealand boat which the Kiwi colleague is fond of saying,

the oldest person in that boat was born in 1992 and he said not a

single person in that Kiwi boat was alive when Nirvana released Never

Mind. Makes me feel very old, that was the middle of my Olympics. How

important are they for wise heads are moments of pressure. Wise heads

right the way through, what they can bring the crew, technically,

motivation wise and at Olympics, is been there, gone through it, they

know where the pressure is and helping the younger ones. In some

ways, the older ones suffer and the younger ones help them. It is a

blend of personalities and they work together. Matt and I in Atlanta, I

struggled emotionally and he could sense when I was struggling and

would take the conversation in a different direction and then get

back to normality. You visualise to being in the boat, alongside the

opposition, stroke for stroke, and they will see their boat going

faster every stripe. The final of the women's single sculls has taken

place which was expected to be a showdown between Australia and New

Zealand. Could the Kiwis win the men's and women's races.

Kim Brennan will look at the on-board computer and look at the

speed and time and know she has 50 strokes. There will be a race plan

to execute. She is leading Gevvie Stone from the USA. Duan Jingli

sitting currently in bronze medal position. We need a big final 500

from Emma Twigg inlay number five from New Zealand. Not looking good

at the moment for Emma Twigg. Duan Jingli is going well. Duan Jingli

fighting it for the silver medal. Gevvie Stone, four years ago the

American was seven. Here she is fighting for a silver medal. Duan

Jingli raced so well at this point in the semifinal. If Stone can hold

on... In the last 250, 200 metres now. They will be counting the

strokes in their mind. The races on and Gevvie Stone is cranking it up

but so too is Emma Twigg. Great finish. This is all on the line and

they still have 15, now down to ten strokes. The blue awning indicates

it is 100 out and Kim Brennan, 31 years of age. She will now start to

feel the weight of the Olympic gold medal around her neck. She went out

hard in the first 500. On the far side, Gevvie Stone has the overlap.

She will not catch Kimberley. Gevvie Stone getting the silver medal. The

bronze medal, hanging on for dear life is Duan Jingli from China. And

Emma Twigg, her head goes down. Exhaustion abounds. She left it too

late to get right back onto the Chinese sculler.

Exhaustion and desolation for Emma Twigg. She was expected to get a

medal for New Zealand. But delight for the Australians and enormous

delight for Mahe Drysdale for New Zealand. Winning the gold medal by

what is a safe bet to say is the narrowest margin in Olympic history.

Garry Herbert. Throughout this Olympiad, Ondrej Synek, through all

the World Championships finished on top. All-round sleep to the Olympic

final. He is getting a bronze medal and he knows he was beaten by two

better men here. Damir Martin! Rightly so. He showed

us how to fight, how to keep your head up to the line and beyond. The

disappointing thing is that unlike in track and field when they put the

photo finish on the scoreboard, they have not done it. I have seen it and

I cannot spit them. They should either give them both one, or make

them do it again. Winning a gold or silver medal, it changes your life.

He deserves to row again or a shared gold medal. He deserves the utmost

respect, which we give him. I'm not taking anything away from

Mahe, huge respect, but if he had been in Martin's position maybe he

would say something different. One of the nicest guys, Mahe Drysdale.

He's had a right old battle over the last four years. He's a tough, tough

competitor. Nice guy. He won't be offering Martin a repeat! Someone on

Twitter asked what the other thing they are getting. It is a medal

holder. It will be a doorstop! The most important thing is what is

hanging around their necks, the title.

Mahe Drysdale from New Zealand, reigning supreme and the Lagoa

Stadium. At the age of 37! Will he be back at

the age of 41. Isn't that a fantastic picture? And all of the

medallists looking up to the flag. The women's eight on the water, the

race is imminent. What about the men? Let's go to Matthew.

This is the British eight taking to the water. Never a more tense

moment, before the Olympic final. Helicopters overhead. Incredibly

stressful. Very experienced, he's done this time after time. Standing

with the red rucksack at the far end. You would think at this moment,

when you are stressed, you would get some heartening nugget to send you

on the water but all he does, he pushes you out onto the lake with

the words, have a good row. We can only echo that.

That's a good story, is that always the way? Yes, he tells a good story.

In Barcelona, he said that he was going to give him the key to win the

gold medal, but he doesn't. You talk an hour before the race, you think

is going to give it then, he doesn't, when you go on the water,

you think he's going to say the words that will help you win the

gold medal. He starts pushing the boat out and Matt is looking at him

waiting for the words and he said, have a good row. I'm sure James

would I code that, they are going to describe the women's eight and the

men's 84 us. -- echo. -- for us. They've had chances and fallen short

previously. If you are in the cox seat, what would be going through

your mind, what would you be telling the girls? , nation of two things,

forget the record books, forget about history, it is about the race

plan. They will have done that in training, believe in the journey

that has got you to this place, that's all, and as you go down the

track then we can start getting emotive and then the cox taps into

the psychology of eight individual person to dig deep and get something

better out of them -- each individual person.

If you word the cox, if the gold medal is out of reach, do you

approach the race of trying to win it, or do you try and win the race

for silver? No, they are going for gold, they haven't come here for the

Silver Medal. Whether that is a good strategy from outside the boat, you

have to think that the moment is going to live with you for the rest

of your life, let's make it a big moment, and Olympic moment. I think

what they will do, they have to go from aid the -- from a to B as

quickly as possible and if the Americans falter, then they will get

gold, but if they try to beat the Americans, they will get nothing.

So, down on the start. The defending Olympic champions will be in lane

three. For the first time in many a long year, Great Britain are in the

heart, lane four, qualifying directly from the heat for this.

Don't write off all of these boats, they are all great. Romania, at one

time there used to dominate this event before the Americans turned up

at the party. The Americans haven't lost since 2005. Two of them coming

back from the victorious 2012 boats, with the experience and the power.

Great Britain sitting in lane four, the crowd are seeing it on the

screens to the right, on the finishing line, applauding and

cheering. Canada are in five. Perennial bridesmaids to the United

States of America over the last couple of Olympic Games and World

Championships. OK, here we go, deep breath, the

last focus, connecting the bodies. The final of the women's eights and

Great Britain have a great chance. Great Britain just easing out. Now

the call is going to come, up goes the rate and it has been responded

by all of these boats. This is the final of the women's eight. The

Netherlands, Romania, the defending Olympic champions in lane three,

Britain in four, Canada in five and New Zealand in number six. 100 gone,

they are going to start to lengthen out, but they will be on maximum

speed. The Canadians have gone out quickly, this was my concern. The

Canadians winning the repechage and they looked much better there than

they did in the heat. This could be the fly in the ointment for the

predicted gold and silver battle between America and the British. The

Canadians are medallists from London and they aren't going to be happy

with anything other than the silver. Lesley Thomson Wiley, the Cox of the

American boat, incredible Olympic campaign for her. They have slipped

the British by half a length. We know that if the British can keep

the solid overlap. Here comes Canada, where is the overlap? The

British are going to be strong over the middle 1000. Racing the

Canadians in the heats, and this isn't what happened. Very good

second half to the heats. This wasn't what they ran into against

the Canadians. The Americans are not having a good race, that is one

positive. The Americans in the heat would have been away by now but they

are in third place. It is being turned on its head. Great Britain

being driven down by Zoe de Toledo. Strength and belief, the things that

will get Great Britain back into it and back into the fight. The issue

over the next 200 metres, they want to get 1000 to start challenging for

the medals. They don't want to get there and then to try and jump back

into the race. They are in sixth place so they are going to have to

really cruise in. Last place they will have to try and reel crews in.

Go after the Dutch and so on, one by one. They can do it. The Canadians

have stolen a march and shocked the Americans, who weren't expecting to

be in this position. So they either panic or they lay down the power

that we know they've got on board. The Canadians have turned the tables

on everyone. At the top, the Netherlands, we said watch out for

them. Going through in third place. It is Canada over the US, then the

Netherlands, and the bridge is going through, still in sixth, which they

were at 501,000 -- the English. You aren't the only crew with the

quick second-half. The Americans have found their form and have gone

through Canada. The Dutch on the far side are still in the mix. The

British now are going to have to draw themselves back, they aren't

out of it. Definitely coming through strongly as they look back through

the last few metres. They look at the journey, an incredible journey

that has brought these nine amazing women to the brink of a medal. It

has never been done for the British women in the eighth. In the third