BBC One: Day 5: 09.00-11.30 Olympics

Another silver lining for Great Britain. I just had my own chance

to congratulate the event is as they left the studio after their

appearance this morning. Good morning to you all. Surely today

rowing finals at Eton Dorney. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning are

looking good. Could it be Bradley Wiggins's

Wednesday? The Tour de France champion goes in the time-trial

with medal chances in the women's event, too.

More work to do in Weymouth. Britain's sailors need to bounce

back after a tough day on the coast. No such medal worries for Michael

Phelps. 19 Olympic medals and counting. So this is the plan for

today. We will be looking ahead to the rowing finals in a moment and

talking about Michael Phelps. We will have the swimming heats at 10

o'clock before we go live to Eton Dorney as the tension builds. Try

an early lunch, then you can see the women's pair had fully deliver

at Hampton Court at 2:30pm this afternoon. Plenty to look forward

to and plenty to get stuck into straight away, including live beach

volleyball on BBC Three right now. There are six matches today, men

and women playing. It is China against Greece on court at the

moment. Also, live badminton at Wembley. There has been a shortage

of controversy there from last night. We will be talking to Gail

Emms about what happens. And at the Olympic Park there is basketball

with Canada's women taking on France. Later on we will be talking

swimming with Ian Thorpe and hearing all about Michael Phelps's

amazing performance in the pool last night, going into the Olympic

record books in any way. But first the running, and it is the women's

power that hold our chance of a gold medal today. Helen Glover's

story is remarkable because she has only been growing for four years.

She started because of a special scouting programme that set out to

find a Olympic athletes the 2012. She is from Cornwall and if she

gets the gold medal it will be the climax of a relatively short but

Some days it is hard to get my head around the fact that four years ago

I was not rowing, I was not going to the Olympics, I was not

competing. And here I am. It has happened through hard work with the

help of brilliant coaches. It is just exciting, it is a dream that I

have had since I was tiny. I wanted to be an Olympic athlete and I

wanted to compete in the greatest sporting arena. My mother saw an

advert in a newspaper. It was looking for tall people. Steve

Redgrave had spearheaded something called Sporting Giants. It was

looking at women over five at nine to try different sports that you

need long levers for. -- 5 ft 9. I was one of them. I was training to

be a be teacher. For the first six months I carried on my training but

I do not know how I did it, looking back. I was teaching all day but I

had to get up at 5 o'clock in the morning to do my first training

session. After school I did my second session late into the night

and it was really tough. I have got a really supportive family. They

are brilliant. My mum and my dad, and two Brothers and two sisters. I

grandmother is 92 and she lives at home with us. She is probably the

most excited out of every one. My boyfriend is a canoeist and he

trains in Nottingham. He trained really hard, but not as hard as the

rowers! A very competitive family. My husband is the sportsman, but a

better to do, but he brings it out in all of us. -- a competitor.

Everything was a competition when I was little. I run international

cross-country, played hockey for my county. I did everything, every

sport I did I did to be the best that I could be. When I first

watched the Olympics, I had not really taken much interest until

then. It was a wake-up call because I realised that I had four years to

beat those people and be as good as them. Heather Stanning and myself,

we were invited on to the team in 2010. It was two years after I

started rowing. She is brilliant to row with because she is strong and

fit and she has got a racing had. We have to live in each other's

pockets so it is important that we get on. But I am messy, and she is

in the army so she is very tidy. Everybody is going for the same

thing, the dream, Olympic gold. If we keep progressing, then we are

going to be in a brilliant place on the start-line. If we put together

a good race, then we have got to be pleased with that. Helen Glover. I

like the idea of entering an advert looking for tall people! This is

the day that all British rowing fans have been looking forward to.

The regatta has gone well for Britain, so will we see the front

of that Labour? John Inverdale, we will be with you threw out. Some

brilliant heat and the last few days but now the first finals. --

brilliant heats in the last few days. Yes, you have made the point

that this is the moment that the insatiable appetite of the British

sporting public for the gold medal has got to be satisfied. Everybody

is closing in on Eton Dorney and the army officer and the PE teacher.

They will be very aware of that. They will but we spoke to them and

they are so laid back and relaxed. They are taking it in their stride.

The finishing line that we did at our last interview, how are you

going to go about your next race, the biggest of the season? They

said it was just the biggest of the season but I knew it was the

biggest of their life. They are relaxed, they are wrong form, and I

hate to say it but I can see nothing other than a win. -- they

are on form. It is a defining moment because winning an Olympic

medal can change your life, in any shape or form. Maybe jobs and

opportunities. They will always be known as an Olympic gold medallist.

That thought could be the only thing that derailed them. I hope

they are not watching hour broadcast. Yes, it is. When I

crossed the line in 84, our previous Olympic gold medallist

from 1940 it came up to me and said that you are World Champion for one

year, and a bit champion for life. -- 1948. You are Olympic champion

for life. That really sums it up. This will happen to them. They are

real contenders for the gold medal. As far as the men's eight, we will

talk about their prospects in the second. They are genuine medal

hopes but outside medal contenders. Our obsession with age in this

country, because there is a 40 year-old in the bird, gold-

medallist 20 years ago, all of their lines are being made by Greg

Searle. In 1992 he won the gold medal with his brother Johny Searle

and with our inestimable commentator. We thought it would be

nice to get the three of them together to talk about now and then.

We always knew that we could get to the final and we always believed

that we could win. For a period of time I was the best in the world at

the sport that I loved. It all came together on that morning. I would

imagine they were not looking at us as a major competitor. It was David

and Goliath, literally. I remember the night before the race, sitting

down and having an earnest conversation. We said that we were

good enough to win this thing and if we go in any position other than

first then it counts as losing. What does it make you feel like to

watch it now? I remember thinking about now, as we came forward, this

is the Olympic final, maybe we are going to win the gold medal. And

then thinking that is not a good thing to be thinking! They went

away. I was thinking, OK, we planned this, we planned this for

the halfway mark and they are doing it straight away. Naughty Italians.

Not only do they go up to the length of clear water, then we

carried on going. Even here it does not seem too bad, one length behind.

It is just that it never stopped. The question is can anybody real in

the Italians? Now I am thinking, right. Olympic final, but it is my

job now have to make sure that we race the race of our lives. Does

that shock you to look at it now? remember watching it a day or two

later in the Olympic village and I could not believe it was our race.

I thought we were really in touch. I might have been liberal in what I

was telling you. And I believe you! There needs to be fireworks now.

Here we go. We are about to push on. Make them hard and go. They are

going for a change of gear. This is when Gary did his big thing. He

continued to call us off. I cannot remember the words that he said,

but I do remember this unshakeable belief in his voice. It was going

to be a push like they had never pushed before. We had only ever

practised it once or twice. What can they do? They are certainly

making the effort and certainly closing the gap. And 17.50 we came

into silver medal and I thought, gosh, we are going to win the

Olympic silver. I remember throwing that thought away and saying that

we were there to win. If as I close my eyes, I can remember that last

bit coming in, but it was not a matter of 15 strokes and Olympic

champions, it was 15 strokes to get to the Italians. They are coming

and coming again. They are going to go through them! I think they can

do it! There was a point when we were rolling and I could see their

bow. I opposite man, coming up and up, and he just stopped rowing. He

was done. They are there! The brothers have beaten the Italians

and that is a great achievement. What a fantastic race! This is one

I always say, that is how you are meant to celebrate! You cannot

describe it. When you are on the medal podium and you are having the

ultimate accolade, there is nothing better. Being at the Olympic Games,

representing your country, winning, the flag going up, the national

anthem, it does not get any better than that. Your main contribution

is coming now. Making sure that everybody remembers as. From the

brothers, it was sheer guts and courage and it all got to Garry

Initially, I was a bit jealous, I thought, I like winning the Ellen

Booth gold medal, I would like to do that. But joined what to do the

training? Could I do it? Would I like to be 22 again winning the

gold medal in Barcelona? Yes, I enjoyed that a lot, it was a

fantastic moment. Would I want to do it now? I am not sure. As a

whole career, I am already proud of what I have done, but going into

the Olympic Games is the same mentality as it always was. I will

only be totally happy if I win, and anything else will feel like losing.

What a great piece of television, both brothers have aged really well.

They have done very well, I'm not quite sure about Gary, he has aged

a little bit too much! How much of an achievement would it be? He is

one of nine, he is not doing it on his own, but how much of an

achievement in terms of walking away from a sport and coming back

with a decade later? How big a deal would be if Greg Searle were to get

another medal? Immense. In this sport, it is about consistency of

training, getting the miles in on a consistent basis. I was 38, I was

able to do it because I trained day-in, day-out. To disappear for

10 years and come back... Almost on a whim! Very much and a whim. He

had done some Americas Cup sailing, he has been doing a bit of rowing,

but maybe four times a week maximum in the middle of the season. Most

of the time it was just Saturday morning, so to come back from that

and get into the team, his plan was paid to be built up, first to get

back onto the team then one a world silver medal. He has not done that

in the last couple of years, his proper rowing in that sense. The

next year, he repeated that. They were a little bit disappointed next

time around. If they could cross that line first, and it is not out

of the question, it would be immense for Great Britain, and for

the guise it is there for the taking. It is worth saying it is a

very competitive race, especially the German boat. They have been so

consistent, they did not win the last Olympics, but they have won

every race in between. They are certainly up for the challenge.

What impresses me most about the Germans is that whatever tactics

you have, they seem to have the answer already. There is no way of

surprising then, but can they cope with the pressure of doing it

today? That is the big question. On paper, Germany first, GB second,

America or Canada, but you cannot rule out Australia or the Dutch

either. They are all hunting for medals. It could beat a sort of nip

and tuck all away. I think the Germans will try to get out into an

early lead. Our guys, I think, are gone to try to stay with them. Will

they put everything on the line and come away with nothing or take

gold? I know what Greg will do, only one medal counts, and there

are a lot of silver medals in that team, but only one medal that they

want. You can see the crowd building behind us, they will make

such a difference, they would give it everything for the first 5,000

and then allow this lot to carry them over the last 500. -- 1,500.

We have got Alan Campbell going in the men's single sculls, but it is

hard to explain how the first few days is almost an unreal battle

before the war, the sparring, but now the knockout punches are going

to be landed, and there is a real free sun in the air, a real sense

of expectation, everybody oping and anticipating the first gold medal.

11:50pm, that is when we hope for the first British gold mettle when

the women's take to the water. -- medal. We will be back to Eton

Dorney as the live rowing gets under way, but now swimming, a

remarkable 15 golds in Michael Phelps' and in the career and a

record total of 19 medals overall. -- a Olympic career. He has

surpassed a 48 year record. The achievement was tinged with

international -- individual disappointment but Team USA helped

Michael Phelps is going to win, is he going to create history by

winning it for the third time in a Chad Le Clos won the gold, silver

for Michael Phelps, look what that means! Oh, my goodness me! He got

that by two 100 sold a second. Michael Hulse has got a silver

medal, and he is tied for the most medals won by any athlete in

history. -- Michael Phelps. He is going to have 15 golds, two Sukkur

and two bronze. If this is his last Olympics, what a civil hero. --

Ben Wright relations, the most decorated and then being ever, an

extraordinary evening, I thought you were extremely gracious. --

congratulations. I was, the butterfly did not go the way I

wanted, but the most important thing was coming back with his

group of guys. We did it, first gold medal of the meat, I am very

happy. I do not know about you, but I could watch that action over and

over again over the course of the day. This is our chance, Ian Thorpe,

to relive the moment with you. You were here with Gary on the sofa, a

fantastic night. It was an extraordinary night of swimming

overall, but what really was extraordinary was Michael Phelps.

His 200m butterfly, he would have been disappointed, but he was

gracious in defeat. To the young South African. Chad Le Clos, who

said his idol was Michael Phelps. He had a brilliant swim. Then he

went on to the four vital hundred metres relay, and the Americans

dominated this race. -- or by 200m relay. I thought Michael Phelps was

the greatest Olympian, but it has now been officiated at every

different point. He was your rival and also your friend. Yes. He comes

across as laid-back, will he have been really driven to get to this

new record? Yes! I think you can worry about those that are calm and

relaxed. He does come across as laid back. As soon as he walks out,

the tens it on. The athletes that has the ability to not get

overwhelmed by the circumstances, what they are going up against,

having that kind of attitude works, rather than those that try and

build it up and get all this angst and anger inside before they race.

This was a very special record for Michael. I think the other one that

he would have wanted was to have won the 200 butterfly, so he has

won the same event in three successive Olympics, which would

make him the first male to ever do that. Still incredibly impressive,

gold medals at three successive Olympic Games, a long time to be at

the top of your game. It is a huge stretch, and very few people do it,

and very few people do it and win in multiple events as well.

Michaelis them to come away from this competition with another bag

of medals. -- Michael is. It becomes quite staggering, because

we are talking about 19 medals. It is a lot! And for Team GB, we are

wanting just one gold at the moment, Michael UBS has 15. That puts it in

perspective! It is an enormous achievement. What is he like?

quite funny. Look, is just... He is what you see, he is that laid-back

guy, he jumps around, he messes around, you know. He is quite quiet

and I think, unless you know him, you would not understand him to

start off with. Every one kind of tends to warm to him. In the

swimming fraternity, you do not last long, you know, if you get a

bad reputation, if you are not liked. The moment that I thought

reflected so well on him was despite the disappointment he must

have had at ended up in second place, the way that the show Chad

Le Clos around the Aquatics Centre. This is where you hold up your

medal, this is where you smile. Smile here, do this, do that. It

was nice, the gesture. It was kind of like the master and the

Apprentice, taking someone through what is the procedure around, what

do you do, who you look at in the crowd, when you have to look at the

Anne Begg family, all of these things that you are learning on the

job, really. -- the Olympic family. We should point out that he is

still in competition, so we are going to see him again in their

pool, impressive semi-finals as well last night. Let's re-join

Clare Balding at the Aquatics Centre. We have seen you morning

and night down there, some people will think you are camping down

there! We could if there was somewhere

comfortable. So much action, heats and semi-finals in the mornings,

finals in the evening, one more thing on Michael Phelps. He tweeted

this morning, thanks to the team for giving me the lead they did

going into the last 200, very much giving them credit for making sure

he came home. Absolutely, and he was very aware that Daniel was

there for France, but it was a big enough lead. He wanted that bit of

a lead, he already had the 200 butterfly, and that event is tiring.

Full credit to his team, he is always about the team. As amazing

as his achievements are, it is all about the team for him. We have an

extra person with us to give extra power to the two swimmers who could

both win medals, Michael Jamieson, who qualified fastest, and Andrew

Willis, who qualified third fastest. up for this one. The medals are not

tonight, Michael, they are pace swim. This is very fast indeed,

we will keep a little eye on the world record, if you don't mind.

The rest of the field is starting to come back at him. The crowd is

going absolutely nuts, listen to this when Jamieson touches first!

Oh! Another massive British record! Really happy with the time and I am

Willis 10 faster with 50m to go, the whole field coming back at him.

-- tend first. You are only about one metre behind the world record!

The rest are coming through, but it looks like it will be a stretch.

Willis was second, but I can tell you that his time, well, that is a

massive lifetime best, a new English record, and it is only just

outside the new British record that was set in the first semi-final by

Michael Jamieson. That is unbelievable, I was not quite as

nervous as this morning, more excited. Just the crowd really

helped me at there, it is unbelievable. I knew Michael was

capable of a great time, I am really happy for him, amazing we

are both doing so well, both in The extra-special thing for them

and the whole crowd that will be here tonight is that they will be

next to each other. Adrian Moorhouse is an Olympic gold-

medallists over 100 breaststroke, you also swam 200, tell us what

they will have been going through I am hoping that they slept because

that is important. Why he'd swung one day and the finals were the day

after and I found it really difficult to sleep. -- my heats

were on one day. It goes through your mind on a loop and you cannot

sleep. If they set, then they can get up and get fresh air, then

maybe swim a bit this morning. they be down here? I doubt it.

There are three Olympic pools near the Olympic village, and they will

be training there. Keep it as normal as possible. What would you

advise be to them, looking at a qualification times? -- what would

your advice be? He must be confident knowing that he is the

fastest man in the pool. I think the confidence will come with that.

Michael Jamieson will be in their own four and it is great to have

Andrew Willis next to them. -- in lane four. He is the real threat

and it is good that he is next to him. We cannot write off Andrew

Willis because something sneaky could happen. They train together

so they are used to each other and they feed off each other and they

have pushed each other to career bests. Absolutely. They will push

each other but the Olympic final will push it anyway. I think it

will take off the edge to have a friend in the room with you. There

will be a reassurance that comes with that to calm them down. That

is enough. Then they can use the crowd. It is like the national

championships and staff. They are so used to racing against each

other so there is a comfort blanket. You do not want to feel isolated in

a room like that. It is a massive thing that you are doing by

yourself, you can do it but it is nice to have your friends there.

the closing stages of a race, Mo Farah says that it is counter-

intuitive but you have got to relax to get the most out of yourself.

What you want to do is go, quick, quick, quick, but particularly with

breaststroke you have to keep the strokes long. Absolutely. Like a

lot of strokes, you have to be long in the water. It is about getting

as much water as you can and pulling yourself through. Relaxing

is one thing but having fun is another. It bugs me when they say

they are here to have fun. They want to enjoy themselves. No, they

don't, they want to win. You cannot snatch, as you call it. Yes, it is

about not snatching. If you do not told the water, you go quickly

through it. I know why they say they want to enjoy it, but it is a

very serious thing. If you were swimming in London, were to come

out with the headphones on? I would take them off, all the time.

would you come out with the headphones on? They did not have

had phones in our day. Cassette tapes! You could come out with a

ghetto-blaster on your shoulder! We have discussed Michael Phelps and

his achievements from last night and we have looked ahead to the two

British swimmers in the final tonight, a real medal prospects.

What about the emotional story of last night? It was not Michael

Phelps winning, but getting beaten by Chad Le Clos. Afterwards, Mark

Foster managed to grab his father to chat. Tell us a little bit about

Chad Le Clos and when he committed his life to swimming and how he has

got this good. He is unbelievable. He committed like you cannot

believe. He is the most down-to- earth beautiful boy you will ever

meet in your life. Look at him. He is like me! I love you. Is this

life? Yes. Sorry! How many family members have you got here? My other

son is here, someone up there. I can't find him. We had to get

tickets all over the place. It is not easy to get tickets. I know!

You were here at the most perfect moment of your son's life and the

most perfect of yours. Unbelievable. Thanks, Great Britain. I love that

moment. I could watch that all the time! That video is going viral on

YouTube right now. Sir why here! I wish I had worn a better to show

it! -- that is what I hear! Lily Allen was sitting here, and she

said it was amazing and everybody went bonkers and everybody was in

tears. Chad Le Clos is now a big star and he is in action again this

morning. Yes. What also made it special was after the presentation,

the parents crying their eyes out, and Princess Charleen, the South

African swimmer, she was standing with them and she was bawling as

well. It was a special moment for the country and it is every

swimmer's dream. Top marks for them for getting the father to come and

talk to us because it was great. Nifty footwork. You were talking

last night about the changing of the Guard in swimming. That stuck

in my mind. Michael Phelps is 27 and Chad Le Clos is 20, I think.

Yes. It is quite strange for me. I know how long Michael has been

around and I know that he says that he is going to retire after this

competition. I just have this funny feeling that he might stick around.

He might not retire? I don't know. I just have a strange feeling about

it. You can see how much enjoyment Michael gets from the relays. I

think he would still be of huge value to those teams. Maybe I am

putting the challenge out there to run. Stick around for a few more

years, we want to see you continuing to swim! Maybe we make a

big deal about age and swimming. You competed in London and you are

just a couple of years older. are some swimmers now that are

older than me and they will win medals here. I am confident of that.

We see 15 year-old winning gold medals at the Olympics. We

associate them with being young. As we learn more, there is no physical

reason. It all has to do with your own personal head space, how you

feel about the sport. Michael in that victory, that you know how he

almost chaperone Chad Le Clos around the port to show him what to

do. -- the pool. But swimming has changed and there is a new

generation of swimmers that has been inspired by the stars of the

past. They have used a similar training methods and they are now

beating them. And perhaps performance is raised by being in

the same pool. But you would say do not write off the older swimmers?

Yeah. Tonight is really big for Britain in a swimming pool. We have

only had one bronze one it so far in the pool. Michael Jamieson and

Andrew Willis did fantastically well. They really did. What is good

is that there is a great history of breaststroke swimming in Britain.

To be able to bring this back, and to be able to have two swimmers

qualifying in the best lanes for the finals, we could be looking at

some medals. And that is plural. Michael Jamieson's time has put him

into the top 10 of all time to swim in that particular event. That is

right. When we look at all-time best times, top 10, there are a

couple of others in the final but are also in the top 10. But looking

at form, these guys are in with a really good shot. Thank you very

much indeed. That is how it is looking on the swimming front.

There is a lot of support available right now. -- sport. China are

playing Greece in the beach volleyball right now on BBC Three.

The judo is also under way through the red button. Two gold medals up

for grabs later on tonight. As the handball has just started. That is

one of the live export at Olympic Park. Norway's women taking on

Korea this morning. There is plenty to see. If you are heading to work,

you do not have to miss anything. This is an Olympics like no other

and we want to make sure that you get the most out of this once-in-a-

lifetime event. We have created a live, interactive video player that

allows you to watch every moment of the Games. This is how it works.

Imagine you are watching the 5,000m live and you decide you want to see

the triple jump that was on earlier. All you do is click, and you

instantly rewind back to the moment that you want to watch. When you

have caught up, Jubber back to the here and now by clicking on the

word live, straight back into the action. -- jumped back. Then there

is the extras button. Click on this and you will find lots of great

information. If you are watching the track cycling wondering what

the different events are, the sport guide will tell you. Olympics live,

turn that on, and it will alert you to the key moments around the Games

so you will not miss anything that matters. If you are watching the

rowing and you want in-depth information about one of the row

was, then the athletes panel is here to help. -- the rowers. 25

live events can take place or at once, so we have arranged

everything to make it easy to find the best action. In short, we are

giving you complete control of what There is plenty to watch. If you

were watching on our dedicated badminton strewn late last night,

you will know that there were dramatic scenes. The crowd became

incensed with what they were watching on court. This is what

China were playing South Korea. It was the women's doubles. The game

descended into farce at their accusations that both players were

trying to lose the match. They made a string of errors including

serving into the match and no rally lasted more than four shots. Both

players have qualified for the next stage, and they are accused of

trying to lose the game to avoid playing Chinese players in the

quarter-finals. The badminton Federation has charged both pairs

of players, the Koreans and the Indonesians, with not using one's

best efforts to win the match. It has been very controversial and

dramatic at the badminton. Let's hear from Gail Emms, the former

Olympic medallist in badminton. You will have to explain it to us. Was

it clear that there was something Very clear indeed. It was

embarrassing. There were 6000 people that paid good money to

watch top-level elite badminton. I think my toddler could have won one

of those matches. It was shocking. These girls were serving so far out

it was embarrassing. It all started because of yesterday. In the

morning session there was a shock upset with the No. 2 seed, Chinese

ladies double pack, not coming top in their group. They ended up

runners up, meaning they are in a certain position in the draw. That

stirred up everything. It was put to the tournament referee that

there could be some suspect matches later. The referee ignored the

warning signs. What happened was just truly disgraceful. The Chinese

and Korean pair both wanted to be runners up in the grip, so they

avoided the Chinese in their half of the draw. -- in the group. It

was not one of power, it was both. The Chinese pair were more stubborn

than the Koreans. The referee told them to play but they were having

none of it. They wanted to get the best route for the Olympic medal.

They were not trying to win. The Chinese last, the Koreans won when

they did not really want to. That has had a domino effect on the next

match. The next match was another Korean group playing against

Indonesia, and they wanted to avoid the group that had just lost, so

they were trying to lose. It was not just one match trying to lose,

but two. Bear in mind this is the Olympic Games, it is not in the

Olympic spirit. Incredible but not in the right way. This happened

because the rules have been changed. These are not knockout stages of

the competition. Exactly. Every badminton tournament that has ever

been played is usually knockout. If you win, you are still in the

competition and if you lose, you go home. The idea was to have group

stages to show more badminton on the television. To show that other

countries can have a chance to play in the Olympic environment. It

really backfired. When I heard it was going to be group stages, six

or seven months ago, I instantly said but that can fix the way you

go in your drawer. I knew this was going to happen. It has been put to

the Federation many times. They ignored the warning signs thinking

that it would be fine but it has shown that it can happen. There has

never been a group stayed in badminton and now than ever will be

again. -- group stage. They have been charged with not using their

best efforts to win the match. What will happen next? They are having a

massive meeting right now. Lots of coaches, managers, officials, all

in that meeting. There will be a press conference at 10 o'clock, but

I think it will end up being later. Probably 90% of the people in the

badminton environment at Wembley Arena, they are calling for them to

be disqualified completely. I have seen people crying because they

could not believe this was happening in the Olympic Games.

They have been working so hard to get this competition perfect and

they have just seen four women's double pairs not living up to what

they believe in. It has been really hard for them. They have been lots

of strong words going about. I just do not know if the federation are

going to disqualify them. I do not know if they will have the guts to

do that. We will be looking out for that press conference later. For

anybody that has not been following the badminton, how have the British

Unfortunately we did not have anyone in the women's doubles, we

had a pair in the mixed doubles, we had a male singles player and a

female singles player, but they did not make it out of the group stage.

It was not the best for Great Britain badminton and it does not

look the best for world badminton either. We will be keeping a close

eye on Wembley Arena later. So badminton will not be providing

any British medals, but we are hoping that cycling will. The track

events start in the Velodrome tomorrow but today is all that the

time-trial on the road. Emma Pooley has medal chances, along with

Lizzie Armitstead. On the men's side, lookout for Chris Froome and

a certain Bradley Wiggins, who will be at Hampton court later, his

latest step on the road to a gold 2012. If you can just excuse me, I

will speak in English for a moment. We're just going to draw the raffle

numbers now. I did not even have a drink inside

me when I did that! It is so formal, or that sort of stuff, you have got

the day the President of France at there with me. It was not about

that, really, and that is why I tend to the fans. It is all about

them, really, they are the ones that come out and support. It was

just brilliant, that is what it is all about. And so yeah, maybe it is

disrespectful to the sponsors were and all the prawn sandwiches in

front of me, but I felt it was more appropriate to give time to them.

The country has gone wigginstastic, people are sporting sideburns.

is brilliant, that is what it is all about. It is good that it has

that effect, a bit strange for me but, you know, ultimately I only do

it to the individual! But it is good. The biggest name in cycling,

the winner of the Tour de France. Officially bigger than Cavendish?!

I have not done the head and shoulders at 30th. The scale of the

win and the reaction in this country, do you pinch yourself.

was a bit overwhelming, you know. I am used to see it happening to

Chris Hoy, and I guess I do not think... None of us really

appreciate what cycling is going through at the moment, because you

are concentrating on your performances. I think we are all

pretty down-to-earth guys, by the nature of our sport. We do not

fully appreciate what it is doing for the profile of the sport.

win the Tour de France takes an incredible effort, what kind of

sacrifice is do you have to make? Oh, a lot. Here, apart from the

training, the physical side that everyone does, six weeks of the

year living on top of a mountain in Tenerife, I miss the children's

birthdays, the kids break-up for the Easter holidays, you are

leaving. Sleeping in a spare bedroom, in a tent. Having a family

and being a father and husband and all that is not conducive to try to

win the Tour de France. The two to not go together. But you know, if

you have got a supportive family, as I have, then you can do it, but

I do not know how long you can do it for. I will certainly not do

another six of them, like Lance This is your 4th Olympics, you have

won 6 medals, Steve Austin and Industry, what does it mean to you?

-- Steve Finn the Olympic history. It is something you come back to,

because to come back here with the same people, at the same staff, it

is good, every four years you get a bit older and a bit more successful.

From this 19-year-old lad in Sydney, who have not changed a bit! I am

looking forward to going out there and trying to win in the time-trial.

It is going to be amazing. Someone mentioned to me something I had not

given any thought to, but I am unbeaten in time trials this year.

So I never gave it a thought, you know, so that is quite a nice

statistic to have going into the Olympics time-trial, but everyone

brings their best, and you have got to be at John Best, and I think I'm

at the best. I have just one the Tour, so I must be! -- won.

So far Bradley Wiggins has three gold medals, one silver and two

bronze, so any appearance on the podium with making the most

decorated British Olympian ever, it could be an historic day.

You can follow both the men's and women's time-trials all afternoon,

the key moment is from 12:30pm onwards. There is live swimming

coming up shortly, but first sailing, traditionally one of Great

Britain's strongest sports, but it has been a mixed first few days at

Ben Ainslie came into day three of his historic Olympic title defence

with one aim, to close the gap army so part flawless Jonas Hogh-

Christensen, with Ainslie not spectacular behind him. The Dane

cast Ainslie adrift in the second race of the day, but gold is

definitely still up for grabs. will keep going until the end,

whatever happens, so that will not change. And you know, hopefully

Jonas has had it all his way so far this week, and hopefully he has a

few tough races, and we will see. It is never over until the fat lady

sings. While Ainslie is the figurehead for the British team,

the Laser Radial took place today, and Alison Young, who one an event

here in June continued her good form on home waters with two second

place finishes between the Irish leader. She now lies both overall,

the medal credentials and confidence growing by the day. If

the news coming back from the Laser Radial course was warmly

encouraging for British medal hopes, it was blistering from the big

hitters on the stark course. Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson passed the

halfway mark in the regatta with second place, just behind their

arrival. That finish at the end of the day puts them four points clear.

You have laid down a marker, that you're here with intent to defend

your title in style. We are definitely here to defend our title,

but we have not got on top of them, four points behind, mortal

medallists between them, they are not go to stand by and let us have

this one. It is going to be a fight to the end. And things started well

for Ben Rhodes and Stevie Morrison when they began the day with third,

but a capsize ruined their chances later, the only good news was a

capsize from their big rivals from Australia. The Australians are

over! In the earlier match racing, the British trio had a ding-dong

battle with the French medal hope, and it went their way, they now lie

joint 4th in their group. But in the men's Laser, a story that

started badly for Paul Goodison yesterday when he could not get

into the top 10 got even worse today when he posted 16th. He

rallied to finish the last race of the day with second place, but the

Olympic champion emerged on the slipway almost in tears following

the recurrence of a back injury, not the way that Tom Slingsby wants

to take the gold 4 star I know he has had problems with his back in

I hope he gets some good physio tonight and is feeling better

tomorrow. One thing is for certain, the drama here at Weymouth and

Portland looks set to continue. It's certainly well, looking

absolutely beautiful down there at the sailing venue. -- it certainly

will. We very much hope that Britain's first gold of the Games

could come from the rowing, so we will return to Eton Dorney just

under half an hour before the semi- finals get under way. John

Inverdale, how is the atmosphere? There is a tension in the air,

because it is the Thursday of the finals, as I mentioned earlier. It

is like anything, like athletic meetings, although sometimes you

have finals on the first day, it is like the heats, the quarter-finals,

the semi-finals, and this is the Thursday that medals will be handed

out, so it adds an extra freeze on in the air. Someone has just

whispered in my year, 20 years ago today... Cumin, Mr Redgrave!

years ago today what? That is the question I am asking you. I do not

know what the answer is! Have a guess. There was probably an

Olympic Games going on and I was probably involved. You won gold 20

years ago today. That is news to me, I do not watch history back that

much! That is in the background, Matt is saying, I knew! He is doing

that very thing, look! I am more interested in what is going to

happen today than what old codgers used to do a long time ago. It is

an unforgettable day, none the less. In terms of Helen and Heather, who

would he have been talking about a lot today, we are still a few hours

away from their final. What will they be doing? They will be in the

boat house over there, up in the rest area, which is taking over the

gym area in the top of the boat house. I do not know quite how they

conduct themselves. People like doing different things, but they

will be very quiet, concentrating on what they are doing, just making

sure that everything mentally is in tune for what they are going to go

out and do. Two people in a boat, but there is huge support staff.

What is the core of individuals around them, helping to make them

realistic gold medal contenders? When they came on the scene, at two

and a half years ago, they were what I thought the spares to the

women's eight. They went to the world championships, I thought they

did fantastically, making the final, and I was quoted on New Zealand

radio and papers that they had done fantastic but don't expect anything

else. And then they won a fantastic silver medal. The Kiwis were a long

way in front, but it was an amazing result, and then the next season

they dominated everything, last year. They came across the New

Zealanders at the last World Cup race, A470 behind them and then put

them on the post, beat them at the last World Cup. New Zealand pipped

them at the post. They have dominated the second, no-one has

come close to them. Everybody on a team is now expecting... I am the

only one saying, they are definitely going to win gold, I

will say that, I think they definitely will. That is 11:50am,

mark your card. There is a huge clock on the boathouse,, so I can

tell you that is one hour away. There is the men's eight, the

showpiece event of any regatta, six boats of nine men surging down the

course, always a spectacular spectacle. The men do have an

opportunity to win a gold medal, but realistically they are talking

about finishing on the podium in some shape or form. A really

interesting mish-mash of individuals in that team, all sorts

of characters that go together to make that crew, and a key member is

Constantine Louloudis, very raw and inexperienced, but a phenomenal

athlete, he learned to row on this stretch of water, and today he has

an opportunity to win a gold medal just a couple of years after

leaving school here. Interesting hearing Bradley Wiggins talking

about the pressure of having a family, 20 years old, single, the

pressure is reversed, it is not on my wife and children, it is on the

parents, and I think his mum has been talking to Matthew Pinsent.

The morning of an Olympic final is never easy for the parents, and I'm

joined by Constantine Louloudis's mother, who is stroking the British

aid. We hope to a medal! How has he been? Fantastic, very relaxed. I

have seen him before other races, he is relaxed and cool. Constantine

is Constantine, he takes everything in his stride. I can normally tell

if things are good or not, and he's very cheerful and relaxed. Let's be

honest, this is his first big race. He has rode juniors, once under-23s,

but not all season. This is the deepest of deepest sense that he is

being thrown into, isn't it? doubt about that, but he is a man

with a mission. He knew what he was letting himself in for. He has got

here, you know. He is cool, his... He is just relaxed about it. I am

saying he is relaxed, God knows what is going on behind the scenes,

but he knows where he is, he is And how are you going to spend the

next few hours and minutes? Getting over my hangover! Likewise, I do

not want to go on about recent weeks, but if you had asked me six

weeks ago I would have been very sad. But he is here and on the

starting line. He has done it. Let us just focus on this. What a

cherub! Aged nine. There are mothers and fathers and

all kinds of supporters of the Great Britain team here today.

30,000 people in all. And the royal visitor. And just a final word

about other races going on today. We have some semi-finals as well

which are the precursors to the finals later on. We have three

semi-finals. The men's quad and the Men's Pair. We're on for all of the

boats to be in the finals at the moment. They have a tough task

ahead of them. Everyone is still on target to get a gold medal. So I'm

hoping that the semi-finals will go well. And then we have Alan

Campbell as well in the single. Well it is a big day for rowing and

for the Olympics generally from a British perspective. Hopefully we

will have our first gold medal within the next couple of hours.

We will of course be back at Eton Dorney later on just before the

first finals of the day. But there was disappointment for Britain in

the judo and yesterday. Especially for a tearful Euan Burton. Sally

Conway and Winston Gordon are in Conway and Winston Gordon are in

action today. Judo. The playing area is a foam

covered Matt. It has a 10 metre square contest area surrounded by

the safety area. The referee will stay in the contact area throughout

the contest. Outside line judges can confirm that referee's

decisions if necessary. A variety of techniques are used. The

ultimate aim is to execute the ippon. That secures immediate

victory. It can be achieved by throwing your opponent down with an

armlock or stronghold. Waza-ari Involves an opponent being thrown

on their back. A yuko is when the opponent is not

A yuko is when the opponent is not thrown on their back.

Let us crossed to the ExCel Arena. It is the largest and this year's

competition venue of will stop seven sports occur here including

judo Wednesday aged is set for local boy Winston Gordon. -- where

local boy Winston Gordon. -- where the stage is set.

A rise in The Levels of expectation. British judo the needs to pick me

up. The Canadian competitor is the opponent for Winston Gordon. The

London there is now a veteran of three Olympics. Is he about to give

British judo something to smile about? He has got the experience

and he knows how to fight in these high-pressure situations. We have

seen eight British fighters have come and go, seven of them have all

lost their opening contest. Winston Gordon grew up a few miles

away from this XL arena. On the ground, at looking for the armlock.

Looking to straighten the arm. He needs to secure the top half of the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

body. A good start from Winston collar. He has got the sleeve. The

Canadian drops to his knees. Winston dominating that exchange.

He has done it! What a way to start! That is the way to start the

boy gives a little bow. He ought to be enormously satisfied with that

performance. It is precisely what the sport needed to this moment.

went out and took the fight to the Canadian. Now he needs to keep his

concentration and think about the next round. Fantastic judo. He is

so explosive when he goes in for the attack. Just spins in there so

quickly. What an ippon. Brilliant quickly. What an ippon. Brilliant

judo. Winston is a winner and in the grandest of fashions. So a very

good result there for Winston Gordon who has gone through into

the next stage of the competition. If you want to carry on watching

the judo it is on the red button. But next week take due shortly to

go swimming. A lot of heats this morning. Fran Halsall and Amy Smith

will go for Britain later today. We have the men's 200m individual

medley and the women's four by 8200 medleys.

Then we have the men's breaststroke final this evening. Also gold

medals up for grabs in the women's butterfly final and relay.

Clearly plenty to keep you busy today. What are you looking forward

to? I am looking forward to the men's 100m freestyle this evening

and the men's 200m breaststroke of course. The two British swimmers

who have done it really good times will start they have. And when we

talk about this competition and how people have been performing, the

British swimmers in this race have shown a high standard. So the level

of expectation actually goes up. We can secured some medals here in

those events. And they get a good Lane tonight. Absolutely. I think

they will swim off into other this evening. And the crowd will help.

And Missy Franklin is back in the pool? She is back and it could be

very exciting for her. She has been called the female Michael Phelps in

America. I'm not sure that I like that phrase. He called her one of

the best of the male swimmers he had ever seen. And for Michael

Phelps that is an enormous compliment. So much to look forward

to. We go to the Aquatics Centre centre now. Always standing by it!

Missy Franklin finished 4th yesterday so she cannot get the

seven medals she was trying for. It is not all working out for the big

American guns. It just shows you how difficult it is to win these

championships. That is why the achievement of Michael Phelps is so

astounding. It is so difficult in this level to got consistently.

Ryan Lochte will be swimming twice today in heaps. What will he do in

between? I think between the thieves, you have to be registered

for your race around 10 minutes before. He will be straight out and

spend probably about 15 minutes in between. But in the finals he will

have no time. The 100m freestyle is in action now and we will join that

soon to see Fran Halsall. Ruta Meilutyte he swam in an unseeded

heat and she is in play No. 7. We do not think she will qualify. An

example here of the multi- events taking their toll. Breaststroke is

so different from the other's jokes. So it technically you can tell that

she is not a free Styler. -- the other strokes. I am learning so

much! We will take you through to this heat with a NICE Smith in

this heat with a NICE Smith in plain number of tool. -- Amy Smith.

She has had a couple of days arrests since her disappointing

butterfly. There is Fran Halsall in the 100m three.

withdrawn. Fran Halsall has had a very good start. Amy Smith also

going well. We have some really good sprinters

in this race but Fran Halsall is moment. Amy Smith just needs to get

a touch ahead of those surrounding it might be 54.5. Let us hope it is.

If it is 54.5 she is in. That is a good swim from Fran. Spot on.

Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace showing great technique on the start. She

went out for it. Taking up victory. A quarter of a second ahead of

Halsall: So Arianna Vanderpool- Wallace wing it. Halsall second.

Amy Smith in fifth. She is lying in eighth with one heat to go. She is

definitely in. And the final heat. And Kromowidjojo of Holland, the

fastest woman of the year. There is Ranomi Kromowidjojo. She had

meningitis a couple of years ago and nearly died. Recovered from

that wonderfully well. There is Missy Franklin. Yes, viral

meningitis, this was during her swimming career and had a real

scare. Herasimenia, we can't write her off. Equal World Champion.

the final heat of the women's 100m Freestyle. Very good start indeed

in lane four. Ranomi Kromowidjojo of Holland, the fastest woman in

the world. One lane close we are that black hat, is Aliaksandra

Herasimenia of Belarus. She has gone out really quick. She has

picked up on the second 25. The first was Kromowidjojo's and then,

well, that was fantastic of Herasimenia. Good turn as well this

is the World Champion, there has been a lot of talk round the pool

side during the warm up sessions and the training pool about

Kromowidjojo taking the gold medal easily, well, this is a rusty swim

for her, coming back now, there is Herasimenia. So Herasimenia is

going to win it. Well, maybe coming through in six is Schlanger. That

is incredible That looked like almost a dead heat. Races have been

won by one and two and three 100s. It was a fast one. That group of

swimmers having a really good race. Missy Franklin coming fourth in

lane three. So that was a quick one. They have been talking about

preserving energy, emotional and physical and Missy Franklin, so

bubbly all the time. She just needs to learn at 17, learn to calm down,

but that is a good energy conservation swim. Absolutely, that

fourth place is good. A good fast one. Herasimenia doing enough.

Schlanger wins it. Herasimenia second, so very fast heat that,

they will be threw. I can tell you that both the British women have

made it through to the final,, the semifinal I should say. So

confirmation of the semifinalists in the one hundredm Freestyle.

Francesca Halsall in seventh. That is just loaded. Look at the names

there. All the big names are in. There we go. Amy Smith 13th, with

54.3. She has a great chance of making the final. And Britta

Steffen 14th. In the morning it is about making it through to the next

round. I think Fran looked better there, on the butterfly it is about

your timing. It is one of the things in training, if you

concentrate on one more than the other and Herbert chances have been

on the 50 and the 100 freestyle. For the two of them to get through,

Amy had a great swim. On paper Fran has been the second fastest, she

has got more and she will get faster in the next rounds. If Amy

can make it through it will be just under 54. But to get up early in

the morning as the meet goes on some swimmers get more tired, so

great result. We think of swimmers as being big strong broad shoulders

people like you, but Fran is tiny, she cuts through the water doesn't

she. She cuts through the water, swims on top. If you watch her she

swims crab like, what you want to do, this is where the leg kick

comes in you want to lift yourself like a powerboat. The fastest the

energy goes the more it lifts itself out. If you are swimming

there is no resistance in air. In water you have the resistance.

Which is true of rowing as well. You want to be on top of the water.

We will be back here later, we have backstroke heats. Let us first hear

from Fran and Amy. Nice to see you back in the water. What have you

been doing? Nothing. I just relaxed put my feet up and just tried to

take my mind off things and not get too involved. Because it has been

so exciting, I have to keep relaxed. You have family here. Who was that

you were waving to? My auntie from Australia. She is here with her new

baby Sam. He is cute. Great support from the crowd Amy. Even has been

saying you do hear it in the water: Yes, it is harder on freestyle but

you can still hear it, and coming out, even for the heats it is

amazing, so, I mean, all the people back home, we know they are are

supporting so it is great. It has been great. Are you getting hungry

for medals now? Definitely. Good to see you. Well done ladies. One of

the key things about competing at an Olympic games is dealing with

the waiting time. That is true of swimmer, athletes, whoever, giving

yourself enough to do but not expending emotional energy. There

is a lot to do and a lot of time during the day. You come into the

village, you eat, maybe have a swim during the day, depending on on

what sport you do, the rest of the time you have to manage your time.

At home you have distractions, you have lots of other things to do.

Washing, Hoovering, ironing, all the things you do Now they have

room service. I would like to say, I don't do any ironing ever, or

much Hoovering! They have a lot of nervous energy and Francombeing in,

she has the expectation of three possible medals, in her mind she

has believed it but there is pressure to her performance so she

is always smiling. She will be more comfortable doing the freestyle

events. We will see her let rip tonight. She will have to be in the

eighth fastest. We hope Amy can do eighth fastest. We hope Amy can do

it as well. What stood out for you Ian? What surprised me in the heats

was there was a couple of top swimmers that were missing, Cate

Campbell of Australia, who, you know potentially we thought could

win a medal and she didn't swim. don't know why. We don't know why I

assume it is an illness. Especially for Cate Campbell, she would not

withdraw from this event. This was her race. I was surprised with that.

Good to see the British girls have gone through there, and I think it

looks good for them, into this final, getting into the final I

should say. One of the things that has I intrigued me, is that lots of

the swimmers, although they are rivals across the team, they seem

to congratulate each other in the pool. They reach across the lane,

reach out and touch each other. It seemed to be -- seems to be

relatively fendly. I think it is. We talk about rivalry, and, you

know some time its sit back and I I go is it rivalry? We are very

competitive. You turn it on when you walk out in front of the crowd

and it is all about the performance, and, it is not so much about

beating that experience it is about... Come on!. There is more in

formering, if you only rye to beat someone you won't reach your best.

Behind the the scenes we are friends, there is an etiquette to

warm up. We Sahel low. If we see something that is incredible,

everyone applauds it, even if they from another team. They will go

down to that other pool and when they have their cool down. They

swim down, cool down, after you watch people swim and exhaust

themselves we go off and swim even more, which makes no sense to

people, but you know, it is to remove lactic acid to help start

that recovery process and then, back to the village, have something

to eat, sleep, come back and do it again. Lots of focus on the Aquatic

Centre for very good reason. We will let you go off to BBC Three to

talk more swimming, so there is no rest for you. Now, we are going, we

are keeping a close eye on the rowing because it is a big day with

the rowing finals. The kind of day you would hope for perfects can be

at Eton Dorney. Let us rejoin John. How is it looking? We are watching

flag, there are huge number of flag, the competing countries along the

top of the grand stands, and we are doing nothing but watching the

flags. Trying to identify one of two, but also because if the flags

are going straight down the course, either way, that is fine. Because

it means that the water, that the stillness of the water not an issue,

the problem is the wind. If there is a cross wind, the conditions are

said to be slightly unfair, because they favour one side of the course

more than the other, and what point is it decided that we might have

postpone racing for a period, because the advantage is so

profound? The international federation of sport have a

committee that is watching it all the time. They will have people

monitoring all down the course and they take it very seriously. People

think, it is not rough, why aren't they race something but it can make

a big difference. Across head as it is at the moment the people on this

side get more shelter from that point of view, but... What whanches

is the tipping point? Is there a a Richter Scale of cross wind that

once you go beyond a certain point that is when it is unfair? It is

not done on wind speed, it is done on what it looks like. They will be

looking at each lane. When you have six racing lanes it is not just

about a matter of one lane to the next. It is from lane one to lane

six, and I did notice yesterday, but didn't mention it, they had

moved the racing over, because there is eight racing lanes, and

they moved them across, and they moved them away from the sheltered,

so everyone is going to be fair. It is not the wind speed is this, it

stops it is done on judgment. you are rowing, whether you are a

single scull other in an eight. If you have a side wind buffeting you,

how does that impact on how you row and the issues of getting a decent

rhythm in the boat? It can, in the small boat, throw things off kilter

in some ways. But again, you practise in all sorts of different

conditions. With the bank, they are sham fered away, the water

dissipated and doesn't come through. Some of the international courses,

I remember racing in a dock, where there is concrete walls so it

bounces round, Egg is all over the place, that is horrible. If you are

in a pair or single that is not very nice. There was a huge cheer

will for a race that didn't involve a British crew. But that was an

indication the December blelve was such for a couple of crews I think

looking round, one from New Zealand, and one from Denmark I think, it

gives you an indication of what the atmosphere is like, it is going to

be fantastic. There was a great shot of the flags. Flags give away

what the wind is doing, and it gives them more of a judgment from

our point of view. When you have the flag, I think everyone knows

which way is wind is blowing. Croatia, South Africa, Norway?

Sweden. Switzerland. That one? have no idea. Thailand? The red one

with the curly bit? I missed that one. You know, by the end of the

regatta I think we will have to test you all, and I can't help you

out with that one. But again, I will be brushing up on my flag

knowledge. We will be back with the rowing, the key time to set your

watch for is 11.50 this morning. That is when the first of the

finals takes place, involves the women's pair, Helen Glover, Heather

Stanning, British roars women have never won an Olympic Gold. --

rowers. Let us talk about basketball, because it doesn't

offer much in terms of medal hopes. If it is stardust you are after the

. There is the good and the bad. The good part is playing basketball

at the highest level. I am not going to lie to you, I don't like

sitting with the media. I would rather go out and no-one recognise

me, the guy in the back, with the hat on and just chilling and no-one

coming up to me. In a similar manner deng sums up life as an NBA

superstar. Perhaps we should leave But his life has been anything but

simple. He is a superstar in the United States with the Chicago

Bulls, the team made famous by Michael Jordan. President Obama

calls him an inspiration. It is incredible what he does.

His weekly wage eclipses even that of David Beckham. When he walks

down his local High Street in Brixton he is barely recognised.

know my way around everywhere in London. His journey to the top

began in the toughest way possible. He was born during the civil war in

Sudan and his family fled the country. I lived for four or five

years without my parents while they were asking for political asylum.

He was never likely to go off the rails. Professional football was

his first sport. I'm not someone to talk about themselves. I do not do

that. But with football I will admit I was pretty good at it.

You get a flashback and you just wonder. But football was not his

destiny, especially not once he met Jimmie Rodgers, that irresistible

force. Grab the ball. You need to be

hostile, agile and mobile. I feel I worked very hard. I went

to practise and studied playing with all the guys. Then Jimmy

Rogers came over and he told me I had a chance to beat something

special. What is it about him that Major got

all the way to the end be? -- made you go. He is intellectually sharp.

He told me after at one success, now it is when the hard work starts.

I never worked as hard as I did in Brixton. Does he still scare you a

little bit! Oh, man! I am who I am because that was a part of me.

People let you down all the time and then get a phone call from

someone in the United States. It gives you a grounding for life.

They may not all be great Basketball Arena players but they

turned out to be great human beings. I would never take advantage, I

know where I came from. It has always been about giving

back. He has never been flash. It has always been about so much more.

I have seen both sides of the world and I have been on both sides. I

was a refugee and a had nothing. Now I have a lot of money and I am

known. It makes you think the balance is not fair. Giving back to

south Sudan, the place of his birth, the youngest country in the world

struggling to emerge from the brutal war of independence.

Everyone of you is capable of being somebody special. Whatever you

dream in your head, up whatever you want to be, one day you can lead us

and we will be a great country. And right now, and giving back to

British Basketball Arena. It is a special time for us and all the

kids who love Basketball Arena. What feeling when you have when he

goes out of the Olympics? I will be very proud for him and the Olympic

team. The guys on the team at the same

guys I grew up with. One day we always said we would put British

Basketball Arena on the map. The story of Luol Deng. Probably

one of the most internationally famous at Leeds on the British

Olympic team. Well we have live women's

Basketball Arena on at the minute. That is Canada playing France. That

is on the red button. Also taking place now, more of the

swimming heats which are continuing on BBC Three.

And elsewhere the judo continues. There down to the last 32 of the

women's categories. Sally Conway in action for Great Britain. And I

treat is continuing over at Lord's. Amy Oliver of will be up against

India's teenage sensation, Deepika Kumari. The next couple of bars are

all about the rowing. Tension building up towards the finals just

before midday. So we can join John Inverdale. There's a lot of

pressure on these two women. In the last couple of the Olympics

we expected Katherine Grainger to be the first recipient of a gold

medal. But she has always got silver medals. But she could

actually be trumped by Helen Glover and Heather Stanning. We could hear

at 30,000 people down by the water swimming. That was the flag of

Chinese Taipei. I'm sure all of you at home were saying that as well.

We have three semi-finals to comfort are all hugely competitive.

First we have the men's quad. Then George Nash and Will Satch. Then

Alan Campbell in the single sculls. All hoping to beat in the finals

later in the week. What are their chances? A few months ago you would

have said the men's quad, no way of making the final. There were not

performing well. But the double and the men's quad have come back into

this regatta and had a good chance. The weakest chance probably of all

the boats. But Alan Campbell should have no problems. High for the pair

to make the finals would be a fantastic achievement.

It is the first time this week we have been allowed a live television

camera in the boat house. Let me give you an idea of the geography.

That is the racing lake. It is fantastic, a great atmosphere.

Follow me over here and I will show you where the guys are warming up,

the land warm-up on rowing machines. We're not allowed in there. Once

there done it is over to boat, onto the water and out to race. We will

be here at all morning giving you Updates.

We were incorrect about the flag. The capital is tied pay but the

flag is actually the capital, Taiwan.

Well we will test you later on on the other flags. But if we go down

to the start we can see the first cruise -- crews, going through

those nervous moments. Listen to the crowd! That noise must somehow

have got down to them. And for them this is really a tight race. It

could be the moment when they find themselves in the final. But also

it would be a terrible blow to them as individuals if they were to let

the side down. There is a team spirit and everyone will be urging

these guys on. They believe they can do it. I know it will be touch

and go but I'm hopeful that they can do it.

A Dan Topolski and Garry Herbert A Dan Topolski and Garry Herbert

are here as ever. We are off. Switzerland in lane

number one. Great Britain, a new line-up this year, in five.

Great Britain have it all to race for. They finished 4th at Munich

and that gave them all the belief. These guys can't really do it here

today. There are strong athletes. The head wind is good for that.

That could really work well for them. But Russia have gone out in

front. Matt Wells in and the stroke seat for Great Britain. Tom

Solesbury up there and Stephen Rowbotham in the bow seat.

Approaching the first quarter mark. And Russia have taken on Croatia.

Australia in third position. Great Britain in 4th. That is OK. Now

they need to start pressure on the boats ahead of them. The first

three go through to the final. The coach is such an inspirational

coach when it comes to the big races like this. They have to

believe in him and his leadership. A few weeks ago there were saying

that Russia was a wild card in this event. They knew they would be a

threat. Russia now leading and looking very smooth indeed. Very

quick on the beginning of the stroke, well-connected, well

drilled. Daniel Noonan the stroke man for

Australia. The winds dropping which is a good thing here in the middle

part so great Britain can establish their rhythm. They are tracking of

the world champions. What a result if the British can turn over

Australia, the world champions. Russia continued to lead at the

halfway mark. But Great Britain continue to be in

a good position. I do feel they are a bit slow on

the beginning of the stroke. It is as if they were just finding it a

bit laboured. I hope they will be able to turn it on the pressure a

little more effectively in the last 750 metres. It is a little bit slow

on the catch. Whereas the Russians are much quicker on to the front

end of the stroke. It is a bit ponderous. Croatia were the

undefeated boat, the world bronze medalists. They take the lead on

and bring with them Great Britain. Now the race is starting to develop.

It is very much between Australia and Great Britain for that the

third place. Australia coming back hard on

Russia. Croatia have now starting to open it up.

And here come Great Britain, at tracking the Australia. It is so

close in the closing stages. If they want to book their place in

the final... New Zealand in 6th place. Great Britain will need

every single person to stand up and almost lifted that boat. I think

they can do it. The Russians are the stroke. They are coming into

second place. If they can get the Australian, what a fillip for them.

Rowing into the final, first time for a British quad in an Olympic

final. Great performance. 200 out and the British are rowing for

pride. Tay are in third place. Let us get on to the Australian, lay

down a mark forefinal. Croatia out front. Croatia are leading in style,

and the British want the Aussie scalp and they are going to get it

here. 100 out from the line. Great move for Britain. Last 250 metres.

That is Matt wells in the stroke seat. He knows how to lift a crew

in the last 200 metres and here they come. Up to the line, Croatia

in first place and it will be close because the Aussies have come back,

one last time, Australia into second and Great Britain and third,

but the most important thing here is that the British have made a

little bit of Olympic history, because this is the first time we

have had a British quad, contending in an Olympic final. We salute the

guys for that. But what a race we are going to have in the Olympic

final. This is the first semifinal, it is all building up. I was really

worryed in the middle. They were with just a bit slugy and --

sluggish, I needed them to sharpen up and move they left it late and

they would have got the Australian, I think they can get them in the

final. I am going to take a breath. That was a semifinal. It is all so

exciting, because it is getting towards the business end of it all

here, right. This is what everybody has worked for, and these crews,

and the Croatians, it has to be said, they look pretty good. They

were unfazed. They are good. They know what they are doing and they

made their move and moved right through. That is what it mean, they

have come through, this will be the crew to beat. Solid, right to the

line, they picked it up hard, they have laid down an impressive marker

in the head wind here, but Great Britain will be highly satisfied

with that result there, they know they have a big race ahead of them.

As we wait for the results caption. Croatia, Australia and Great

Britain join them in the A final P final. I am joined here in the

boating area by the coach of the boating area by the coach of the

Dutch men's eight. You spent the last half hour poll loishing the

living daylights out of that Hull, how much hard work has it been?

is a bit of effort but it relaxes the coaches and the boats have to

be perfect for this occasion, I think. Now, tell us how difficult

is it for you on Olympic final day, we can imagine what it must be like

for on a athlete, but for a coach, how much can you say? It is, in the

end it is out of control. Anything you do, which of course the whole

pathway and the road until this day and the last few words, but I think

they are ready. As Britons we are getting excited because the British

A. We think the German A is good, tell us what you hope for your

Dutch eight? Everyone knows that the Germans are the favourite but

they can be under pressure as well, and, actually I think it will be

quite a close race and open race, and we will see what happens.

you, good luck. We will see you later. Back to you, Gary. So we are

on the start line now for the on the start line now for the

second semifinal. That is Poland, in lane number four. The defending

Olympic champion, what a journey they have had over the last four

year, struggled to get back on the the medal podium since that

magnificent day in Beijing. Ukraine in lane five, alongside them. The

Italians. Ranieri in the stroke seat. Multi-medallist over the

years. Second in Beijing, but with a different line up. They can be

strong in the sculling event. We have France at the top and Estonia

and Germany in one, two and three. Wonderful shot there. Look at the

water, how it moves round. That is why we have starting gates, keep

the boats dead straight, particularly now into the cross

breeze. Coming under starters in lane three. Poland seem to be on

a rip through this regatta. In lane number four. So France, from the

top. They have qualified for the Olympics via the Olympic qualify

kaiing kaition regatta earlier this year, so they have had to fight and

earn their place in among it all. We have Estonia, 16th in the kwham

ships last year. Had a very good World Cup campaign through 2012.

Germany, the world silver medallist, three in. Poland, the Olympic

champion, Ukraine in five. 11th last year in the worlds. Italian,

silver medallists, two years ago, 2010. O a good array and mix in

among it all, of experience, of medallists and of those that are

fighting up behind. Germany looking very strong and they have a

powerful crew. They get the blades in well. They are not elegant, they

are not pretty but they are powerful and accurate. Poland would

usually be out there leading this, leading the field so they have been

suffering for the last couple of years from injury. They have their

full line up back, they have crept along, just qualifying, just

getting into finals, but now this is, this is crunch time for them.

They have to start to show what they are capable of. They are

Olympic champions after all. Germany through 500 fist, good

start from the German, into the breeze. Estonia, Ukraine, Poland

languishing in fourth. Of the six boats only three slots available

for the A final. Great Britain safely through already. I would

expect Poland to get past Ukraine. They were the second fastest

qualifier here, one second behind Germany. They are good in the

middle. The middle of the stroke seat, he depends on -- they he gets

up a night rhythm. They have been at that two crews up, three crews

up. They look a bit heavy in lane four. But they will turn it on and

start to move. Through Ukraine into third place, that is where they are

hoping to finish in third. Top of the picture going out, disappointed

to see France come in towards the back end of this. The stroke man of

the French quadruple scull. Olympic champion in the double sculls back

in 2004. Great experience in that many this second semifinal of the

men's quadruple sculls. Germany Estonia and Poland having moved

for the A final, expect though, the Italians to come on. The Italians

are great sprinters towards the end, in any race. They will prevent well

but I don't think they are going to be up there with these leaders.

Estonia are doing well. A new crew here, they weren't at the World

Championships last year, they were ninth four years ago with a

different crew. They scull well. They were taught to scull very well

by a former rower. Here is Germany very strong, powerful, leading this

field. Estonia sitting pretty, in second place, and Poland, just

happy to qualify, glad to be through there and they will hold

off anybody else. Only Italy will try and sprint up, but I think they

are coming from too far back. sun is desperate to breakthrough

what is a bit 06 of after overcast here at Eton Dorney of on day five

of the Olympic Games. Look at the crowds that have come down here,

they are enjoying absolutely everything they see. Germany,

through 1500 by about a canvas. Over Estonia, Poland in third. The

Olympic champion, those three boats have gone free. It is very unlikely

for the others, France, Ukraine, Italy to come back, they are away.

Germany looking very solid. Once Poland got through Ukraine there,

they just settled into a nice powerful rhythm they are very good

at. I think we will see something a little bit different, a bit special

from them in the final. But Germany, very strong, very powerful. Estonia

staying in there, sculling well. Not really overextending themselves

they have qualified so they are not too fussed there. You see Estonia

coming back at them. They have done enough. They are coming to the last

125 of this course, into a breeze. The yob is well done, Poland, the

world and, Poland the Olympic champions will be in third, they

are out of your picture right now, but they are safely in third. On

the far side those the French are pushing on hard, they believe they

might get it. It is going to be too much but too late. Up to the line.

Here come Germany. Putting the second -- winning the second

semifinal. Safely through to the A final. As Estonia and Poland, the

Olympic champions, through to the A final. The remaining crews all go

to final B. Our big disappointment for France and a big disappointment

for Italy who have put out some very big crews over the years and

at different Olympic game, they were second in Beijing, a different

crew this time round. Germany,, they look good. They do, they were

two seconds slower than the other heat. It bodes well for a

scintillating final. Great Britain in the middle with an outside

chance of a bronze medal. There is two outstanding crew, Germany and

Croatia. Then for Great Britain, it is all about getting in the mix

they have to, we say it time and again and they do try, believe you

me, I know we bang on about it, it essential in the first 500 metres

to be up there. Get out and get into the race, that gives you the

confidence to allow the rhythm to develop. That is what these guys do

very well indeed. So waiting now for the confirmation there. Germany,

Estonia and Poland safely through Estonia and Poland safely through

to the A final. And as you can tell, we have relocated to our position

on the finish line which means we are able to able to hear the noise

much more than from the boat house T cheer for the Quad as they

qualified was almost deafening. Fantastic, fantastic performance,

as I said just before, they were going to find it tough to get

through, and that was in fine style. As Dan said, they have a chance of

maybe pinching a medal. That is how much they have improved from the

last World Cup to here, so in the last five or six weeks they have

come on tremendously, we know the double is doing really well as well.

And Alan is coming down in fourth. Their reaction when they crossed

the line and they put their arms in the air almost as if they had won a

medal. But there is work toeb done. Many moons ago, we have the pairs

coming up, I met a gentleman yesterday who is a big man, and he

put his arms round me and said do you remember. Me? I said terribly

sorry, I don't. He said I am Will Satch's dad. We sat on the river

bang at Henley and I told you my son just started rowing and one day

he will be in the Olympics and you went "Of course." Because you get

lots of people saying that. And he is here now. They could go further.

Yes, coming into the regatta you would have said, young guy, huge

potential for the, for the future, but there is no way they are going

to get any further than making a B final but they have a great

opportunity, they had a storming heat, went faster in a pair than I

have gone in pair. I know that was a long time ago when I was in a

boat, but that was pretty fantastic, and now they have a great

opportunity. In their semifinal, it is difficult to pick out the class

boat within that, they all have a good chance, so it could be tight,

probably the Greeks probably have got the most history within the

event, but, it could be a very very good six-and-a-half minutes. We saw

an Argentine duo yesterday come from nowhere to pring a surprise,

men's coxless pairs. Many famous names over the years has been in

his event. The event today New Zealand qualifying through to

this semi-final with the new Olympic best time. They took the

record by six seconds. It was extraordinary. They are the class

crew of the whole regatta. They came 7th in Beijing but since then,

no one has come here. -- near. New Zealand making it look easy.

Eric Murray, Hamish Bond. Looking for a little more steadiness now

they know they have got it under control. They are going into a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

headwind today so we do not expect You have got Oxford and Cambridge

in the stroke seats. They have driven it everybody out of this

event. Canada still believe they can do something, but this is

outstanding. We're at the halfway mark. New Zealand are simply

outstanding. Great Britain coming down. They

just want to beat all dominating in this event. They are hungry for

speed. They want to build that gap on every single stroke.

Their steady but very accurate, there is nothing complicated about

what they are doing. And they have now opened up for work lengths. --

far side. The crowds supporting the rowers at Eton Dorney. Olympic

history will be made today. Coming up towards the 1500 mark.

500 remaining. Eric Murray, 30 years of age, lives in Cambridge.

Hamish Bond in the stroke seat. behind them for at the two

of this race to get the final qualification slots. But New