02/08/2012 BBC News at One

Great Britain's rowers narrowly miss out on another gold despite a

thrilling sprint for the finish COMMENTATOR: Here come the British!

They are not going to do it. They get the silver. We will have to

wait for the composition -- confirmation.

The Men's Lightweight Four claimed silver in the thrilling finish

bringing in the third medal for Team GB's rowers. That was

brilliant. I'm really, really thrilled. We were just fighting,

fighting to get ourselves back in contention.

On track, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will try to

repeat their medal success in Beijing as action in the Velodrome

begins this afternoon. No change in interest rates here or

in Europe despite calls for more help to kick start the economy.

Warnings of food shortages for millions of people in Syria as the

fighting stops farmers from harvesting crops.

Improve safety for cyclists. The Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins

says helmets should be made compulsory after a 28-year-old is

killed in a collision by the Later on BBC London. All the sport

were the latest action and news Good afternoon and welcome to the

BBC News at One from London's Olympic Park. Britain's rowers have

narrowly missed out on another gold this lunchtime despite a thrilling

sprint to the line. But Richard and Peter Chambers, Rob Williams and

Chris Bartley did manage to claim silver after they were edged out by

South Africa. This afternoon there are more hopes of gold in cycling

when Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton take to the track at the

velodrome for the first time. More on that in a moment, but first

here's Joe Wilson. If you want fast-moving drama, grab

a place by the lake. Eton Dorney is the venue for bravery where they

come to battle against the elements. To find glory. After Wednesday's

success, there was an appetite for more medals here. In a rowing,

lightweight means about 11 stone, small and skinny. Half the team

from Northern Ireland in the Team GB boat. Denmark's set off in front

daring anyone to catch them. Halfway, Great Britain were third

but in touch. A South Africa were looking stronger, too. This was

predicted to be a close race but the closing stages were astonishing.

With every stroke the lead seemed like it was going to change hands.

In the boat furthest from the camera, Britain looked like winning.

Or they would finish 4th, who would COMMENTATOR: They are not going to

do it. We will have to wait for confirmation. But then Britain get

the silver. South Africa were stunned by their victory. Britain,

exhausted but proud. That was brilliant. Really, really brilliant.

We were just fighting, fighting through the whole lot. Just to get

ourselves back in contention. We did a cracking job, just not great

enough to get a gold. To get a silver, it was impressive from

where we came from. We struggle to keep the pace on the outside. In

the first quarter of the race. We just died our heels in and for

truly hard. One more hard-earned silver was for Britain today. It

was won by the lightweight remark with big hearts. Let's go straight

to Eton Dorney. Yes, Sophie, everyone is catching their breath

after that extraordinary finish. It has taken the acclaim of the 30,000

or so crowd here and I'm delighted to say I'm joined by Sir Matthew

Pinsent. First of all, you could see the exhaustion etched on their

faces at the end of that race. It is extraordinary, wasn't it? It's

always going to be close event. They are all the same weight,

roughly. They have to be 70 kilos a bridge between them. It means they

have the same power -- average. You saw that with 400 metres to go. It

always is an extraordinary event. I'm really glad they have come away

with a silver. It's a really fair result for them, a great result for

them. You know, a great race for us to watch. If you are impartial, or

set up a can, you would say it's the best race ever, but it's a

great result for Britain. They were fastest qualifiers. When they

reflect on it, will they still be delighted? Will there be

disappointment as well? They are sportsmen and they go out to win.

There will always be a fraction of them who feels, why didn't we win?

I haven't spoken to them. It depends if they execute what they

wanted to do. They were quite a drift in the first two-thirds of it.

Then they came back into contention, using the crowds. The extra man at

the crowd gives them. If they had been a second slower, they would

have had no medal at all. A bit quicker, they would have got gold.

I hope we're not disappointed. I hope, when they reflect, it's been

a fantastic year for them culminating in an Olympic silver

medal. Plenty more gold medal hopes look forward to. Everyone is

calling tomorrow gold Friday it. Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins

in the doubles, that is the big chance tomorrow, and then the men's

on Saturday. And more besides. They are our stand out chances for gold

in the remaining two days. Thank you very much indeed. Silver today.

We could happen to more gold medals over the next few days. Thank you

very much. Well, after all the drama and

celebrations surrounding the gold medal won by Bradley Wiggins

yesterday and Chris Froome's bronze, all eyes are now on the Olympic

Velodrome and Team GB's other cycling hopes. Great Britain won

seven golds, three silvers and two bronzes on the track at the 2008

Games in Beijing. A change to the rules means Team GB won't be able

to dominate the medals quite that much. But according to Sir Chris

Hoy, who goes in the Team Sprint event this afternoon, GB's cyclists

are at their best since Beijing. Here's our sports correspondent,

Dan Roan. It was the crowning glory of a

quite remarkable year. An unforgettable day when Bradley

Wiggins had become Olympic royalty. His blistering performance in

yesterday's time trial saw him win a 4th gold and the 7th medal in the

Games and it was unprecedented for a British athlete but is not

stopping there. I got to carry on until Rio now and go for number

five. Just to be mentioned in the same breath as people like Steve

Redgrave, it's an absolute honour, you know, and Sir Chris Hoy, to be

up there with those guys, as a British Olympian, is very special.

After such a feat comes the inevitable comparisons with other

sporting legends. The man regarded until now as the greatest Olympian

in British history says the time has come for Bradley Wiggins to be

handed that mantle. How can you argue with that? He's a great guy,

a great athlete, and Bob Paisley has more medals than me so that

puts him above me on achievement level, and if I had won the Tour de

France a couple of weeks ago was well, and then won at the Olympics,

I would have been expecting to be above him on that. He's a great guy,

absolutely outstanding achievement and he deserves all he gets.

success began on the track, of course, and the competition at the

bedroom gets under way later today with high hopes for more home

success -- Velodrome up. Then came the haul of eight golds in Beijing.

With Bradley Wiggins, can London continue to cycle this success? Sir

Chris Hoy's bid to defend his two golds begins today in the team

sprint. We are finally here. It seems like a long time coming. We

have been talking about it for so long and it's just great to be

fearful that the standard is high but close indeed. The Australians

were not expected to win and be the French. It's going to be different

competition. Victoria Pendleton begins her pursuit of Olympic glory

later today in the team sprint and she broke the world record on this

track in February at the World Cup test event for the Team GB will be

hoping for more of the same. Peter Keen is UK Sport's Special

Advisor for Performance and a former national cycling coach. He's

a man who's widely credited with playing a key role in turning

around the fortunes of British cycling. He's outside the Velodrome.

It is going to be quite an afternoon. What do you reckon the

chances are for Team GB? It's going to be extraordinary. We know from

the test events, the atmosphere here can be absolutely

unprecedented in cycling terms. I think the team are ready to go.

Talking at the training camp you days ago, any athlete would want to

be here, feeling like you have done everything you can do. Whatever

happens, what ever result you get, you can look at it and say you did

your best. Incredible pressure, isn't there on Victoria Pendleton

and Sir Chris Hoy in particular? There is, but so many of our top

athletes acknowledge that, in a sense, the ultimate pressure is the

pressure they put on themselves for that the dreams they perceive for

so many years, and the memories they give us, equally, is what

drives them. So long as they have thought through the consequences of

the crowd cheering, and a sensible about how much media they beat,

they will cope and on many occasions, they will rise to the

challenge of what to that expectation means. It's worth

contrasting the fortunes of the British team right back in 1996 in

Atlanta, when it was one gold, 15 medals, and what is happening right

now, in Beijing, it's such a dramatic turnaround and you have

been credited with doing that. we have really seen in that story

line over the last decade, is a fundamental shift in mind said. I

will talk about the critical role lottery funding is played, too, but

the funding isn't everything. You have to believe it's possible to be

the best in the world and I think what cycling has demonstrated, more

than most sports, is you can turn it around and move from a nation

that actually got the point we are genuinely didn't believe it was

possible to win in the Olympic arena, to the state now where we

expect them to dominate, even though it's a huge ask. It's an

absolute belief it's possible and a willingness to immerse yourself in

the effort and training and preparation for however long it's

going to take to be that good. a high target has been said for

these Games as we went into them, 48 medals, more than the British

team got in Beijing. Do you think they can do that? A Yes, it's most

important to emphasise that notion of a target is, in a sense, a

reflection of the reality we see in British sport for for that

opportunity reflects the level of at least we now have in a British

sports if you benchmark where we finished in the world championships

events last year, we are at least that could have thought that the

expectation. To be as good as you can be. It speaks so much for the

World over the last decade and the possibilities going forward to Rio

and beyond. We have an amazing high-performance sport system in

the UK but is many things we can improve on, the pathway from the

playground, we have to sort that out. The opportunity going forward

from London, in the next 10 days, its immense. Have a fantastic

afternoon. Thank you very much for joining us. The Chinese badminton

coach has apologised on national television for the performance of

two of his players, who were disqualified from the Games for

trying to lose their matches. One of them says she's now quitting the

sport. Two teams from South Korea and another from Indonesia were

also thrown out of the competition for the same reason.

Now to the pool and Britain's Rebecca Adlington is through to the

final of the 800m Freestyle. She won her semi this morning in

impressive style to huge cheers from the crowd in the Aquatic

Centre, from where our sports correspondent, James Pearce now

reports. Mention British swimming and the

first lady is always Rebecca Adlington. The 800 metres freestyle

is her strongest event and the British support was as loud as it

has been all week. She set about posting a quick time that would

confirm her position as favourite She looked comfortable throughout.

Victory was never in doubt. She only had a clock to worry about. By

the end, her lead was Clare and her time was impressive. -- clear. No

wonder the crowd was roaring its approval. I have got to rest as

much as I can for that I'm very pleased with that. I did know what

to expect after the heats, so I'm pleased with that. Victory tomorrow

night is no formality. A Danish rival is immense. She also swam

well in her heat in the 900ths of a second slower than her British

rival. So far so good for Rebecca Adlington so far, and she already

has a bronze medal at these Olympics, and is only one colour

she is aiming for tomorrow and that is gold.

Well let's take a look at the medal table as it stands now. China is

still out in front with the USA in second place. Team GB have slipped

to 12th place despite that rowing The Bank of England has kept

interest rates unchanged, at a historic low of 0.5%. It also

decided against pumping more money into the economy. Meanwhile, the

European Central Bank is set to give its latest response within the

next hour to the eurozone crisis. They have hinted there could be

major new intervention to support struggling economy is like Spain.

Hugh Pym joins me now. So, intervention. Is that what we are

expecting? Yes. Normally the outcomes of these meetings are

widely anticipated by the financial markets. Their work out what will

happen. And in fact, the European Central Bank has left its interest

rate at 0.7 -- 0.75%, which was expected. Mario Draghi, last week,

made a bold statement that the ECB was ready to do whatever it takes

to preserve the euro. And whatever the talk has been about buying up

government bonds from countries like Spain and to get money flowing

around the economy, there has been danger because things are flowing

around beef economy. Interest rates are on hold again here, but there

is speculation we could see another cut in interest rates in the not-

too-distant future? Indeed. Unchanged at 0.5%. They have been

there since 2009. But they have said a cut in rates of downwards

would be considered, down to 0.25%. There is much speculation that this

could happen within the next few months if the economic climate does

not improve. It would not help save his, obviously, but it would help

those on tracker mortgages. That could come in September, October.

Our top story, Team GB win another silver in the rowing. Now all eyes

turn to the track cycling, where hopes are high for more Olympic

success. And, coming up, Bradley Wiggins

calls for tougher laws after the death of a 28-year-old cyclist near

the Olympic Stadium. Later on BBC London, after

disappointment earlier this week, could it be second time lucky for

the canoeist from Harrow aiming for Olympic glory?

And a life-changing impact of the Games. We meet a woman who has got

a job after years on the streets. Up to 3 million people in Syria are

likely to need food as well as help with crops and livestock over the

next year, as fierce fighting in the country continues. The United

Nations says the conflict has stopped farmers from harvesting

crops. Fighting continues in the capital and Aleppo, where it is

said rebels had launched an attack on the main military airports. Just

a warning this report does contain images that some may find

disturbing. The latest reported victims of

summary executions. This was at the suburb south-west of Damascus.

Activists say those killed or many men, cut down on the spot by

government forces or militia on suspicion of being rebels or

sympathisers. Up in Aleppo, it was the other way around. Government

militiamen captured by rebel fighters. This man was their leader.

He knows he is in deadly trouble. He and several others were taken

out by the rebels, put up against a wall and mown down by a hail of

gunfire. The rebels are clearly digging in in Aleppo, a vital

strategic base dominating the North. The government thought it could

clear them out in days. Now the battle looks like lasting weeks,

with the outcome uncertain. Regime sympathisers in Damascus are not

optimistic. TRANSLATION: The two sides are now

equal in the current street fighting. The opposition forces

have many weapons, most of which are being used for the first time.

They have opened up direct supply lines from the Turkish border. It

is different from what happened in Homs and Damascus. At back in

Aleppo, conditions of thousands of trapped civilians worsened balls up

the world who have -- the World Food -- the World Food Programme is

trying to get supplies in. The fighting has disrupted the harvest.

As the struggle goes on, there are fears there could be further abuses

as more blood is spilt. Summary execution of prisoners is a war

crime but for some, the thirst for revenge is too strong to resist.

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will discuss Syria with

David Cameron later on today on his first visit to Britain in seven

years. David Cameron is expected to press him for measures to tackle

the surreal conflict, something Russia and the West disagree on. --

the Syrian conflict. Let's go to Downing Street. It is this a sign

that difficult and strained relations are perhaps on the road

to repair? They certainly have been quite chilly, especially in the

aftermath of when Britain and Russia fell out over that death of

a Russian emigre in London, Alexander Litvinenko. They have

improved already and it will be interesting, when Vladimir Putin

arrives, as he is due in a few minutes, to see what the body

language will be. It is interesting that he has been able to get him

here around the Olympics in London. They will be going to the judo this

afternoon. It is Mr Putin's favourite sport, as he is a

lifelong fanatic, and that might create an easy environment to talk

about a difficult subject. There certainly are difficult subject to

tackle, Syria being top of the agenda. Absolutely, and an issue

the Prime Minister will be keen to redress with him? Yes. He is hoping

that given what is happening on the ground, because you heard about the

rise in violence, especially in Aleppo, that this might make the

Russian President a bit more flexible. The British and Western

leaders in general have been quite frustrated at Russia's position

with the United Nations, three times using his veto, along with

China, and to block the position. But higher not sure Mr Putin will

give any ground. -- and I am not sure. The Russians feel confident

in that position. They say, is the West not being hypocritical,

because we are arming Syria and arming President Assad. What are

you doing to the rebels? Turning a blind buy. It might be Islamic

radicals are linked to Al-Qaeda. Do you want to wish that on Syria? So

I am not certain they are going to get any ground on that. And Mr

Cameron will have to be careful. He is the host and this is supposed to

be a nice event, the Olympics. Her and other areas of tension, human

rights, he may touch on but it is difficult, because Mr Putin does

not like to be criticised, especially on domestic issues, and

they do not want to turn this into a huge event which could become

even more difficult. The Olympic gold champion Bradley

Wiggins has called for further laws around cycling after annul

volunteer was killed last night by a bus. After the accident, he said

he would like to see a new law to make it compulsory for cyclists to

wear helmets. He is Britain's new golden boy.

Racking up a Tour de France win and an Olympic gold in the space of a

month. Now Bradley Wiggins has joined one of the most contentious

debates in cycling, arguing you should be forced to wear a safety

helmet. A legalising helmets, making them the law to wear,

obviously, because if you get knocked off and you are not wearing

a helmet, how can you argue? Or if you get killed. You should not be

riding along with iPods and ferns and that sort of thing. So when

things once there are laws passed for cyclists, you can say, I have

done everything to be safe. -- with phones and that sort of thing.

Fining people because they're not wearing a helmet is a far more

controversial, though. Actually, we do not favour compulsory use of

helmets. We think it is a good idea if you are a regular cyclist, but

evidence from around the world shows cycling, if helmets are made

compulsory, cycling numbers go down. And we want to see more people

riding bikes because of the health benefits. This follows the death

last night of a 28-year-old cyclist hit by a bus near the Olympic Park.

The number of cycling deaths fell last year but serious injury went

up. These Boris bikes are now a key feature in London. Easy to rent,

they have proved popular. The mayor, Boris Johnson, is often seen

paddling around. He does not support the new law. The evidence

is mixed. I have to say that in countries where they have made them

compulsory, it has not always been good for cycling. But what do other

cyclists think? Are I have not got one at the moment but I will

consider it. We're on two wheels the same, so I think it is a good

idea. Definitely not, because they don't always work anywhere.

Sometimes you can be saved by not having one. Pictures like this

always inspired by sales in the shops, but that means more people

facing dangers like this. We were Bob! Whoa! -- whoa! But it is

agreed that putting more cameras and things on buses could save more

than any new law. The England cricket team are

battling to remain the best in the world. If they are a -- to have a

chance of staying at the top, they need to win the next Test.

England opt not to turn the ball. This is the first Test team not to

include Graeme Swann. They had to chase things, one down. No wickets

in the first half-hour and, more worryingly, no sign of one either.

They managed to dismiss three South African batsmen in the first Test.

And even these mistakes were going unpunished. One of those mornings.

South Africa seemed immune from dismissals. The dead ball had

already been called. The umpire will be sitting of the stumps would

unfailingly but the batsmen off. This was tucked in before lunch to

move to 50. And is the interval approached, both batsmen looked

ominously comfortable. Capitalising on England's misfortune and regret.

While those in London battle to become the best, these men have a

struggle to stay there. He and finally, Great Britain's

first Olympic winners have not just been honoured with medals. Special

commemorative stamps with photos of the winners have been issued. This

is Helen Glover's Cannes, where they have painted one of the

postboxes gold. -- Helen Glover's home town of. The same thing will

happen for all of Team GB's future gold medal winners.

Let's have a look at the weather. Laura Tobin is here. In fact, I can

safely say it is breezy and I am I am far enough from the edge, so

it is OK! We have had some showers and they have been the name of the

game today it across areas of western England and Wales, heading

towards Eton Dorney and the London area. And for many of us, that

remains the forecast. Many are heavy and the wind will really

start to whip up as they approach. Central areas of England are seeing

the showers edge through, up towards eastern areas of England.

For the south-east, showers are fewer and further between, but a

good hour or two where we are at risk of picking up some scattered

showers. Those up into East Anglia and Lincolnshire and the odd risk

of a rumble of thunder. But for northern England, southern Scotland,

lighter wind than we had yesterday and a better chance of staying dry.

In many northern areas of Scotland, pretty cloudy, grey and feeling

cool. Northern Ireland, sticking with sunshine this afternoon with a

few showers dotted around. Wales and south-west England are still in

the firing line for heavy, gusty showers, with some very heavy

downpours. So, in Weymouth still the risk of heavy showers and gusty

winds. That could cause some disruption as we are expecting

quite turbulent conditions in the breakwaters out past Borland. Her

into the early evening, showers continues through central and

eastern areas. Overnight, things turn drier as the showers

diminished. As we start tomorrow, more of the same. Yes! Sunshine and

showers. Here at the Olympic Park, we start off with the risk of some

showers and that continues through to the afternoon. But over the West,

showers will continue and cloud will gather. If you are fortunate

enough to have the sunshine, it will feel put -- pretty pleasant.

And tomorrow, it is day one of the athletics in the stadium behind me.

A sunny start but around the middle of the day, a greater chance of

picking up some showers. Into the evening, the shower brisker will

diminish, but if you are heading out to any of the events, have a

brolly handy, because it is sunshine and showers, not just for

today, but as we head into the Another silver for Team GB, this

time in the rowing. Now hopes for Britain's track cyclists this