This morning I put the BBCs claim that I would “not miss a moment” to the test. First up was a badminton mixed doubles between Poland and Japan and I interspersed that with some archery, handball, rowing and a smidgeon of beach volleyball while also keeping an eye on the rowing and the progress of the cycling road race.
All credit to the BBC coverage. I missed the 2nd heat of the rowing eights (sidetracked by the beach volleyball!) but the rewind facility enable me to “catch up” and watch Team GB come runners up to the Germans in a tough heat. Earlier the USA had won their heat to go through to the final.
Olympic match of the day
The women’s hockey gets going tomorrow with a couple of intriguing “local derbies.” In Group A which is our group the fancied Dutch take on Belgium while in a strong looking Group B Australia meet New Zealand. Also in Group B the world champions Argentina play South Africa
Hungary has a proud tradition in men’s water polo and they start their challenge for the gold medal tomorrow against Serbia.
In the men’s Volleyball the Poland v Italy match could be the pick
In the Men’s football team GB were not too convincing against Senegal and hardly look full of goals. They need to get maximum points tomorrow against a skilful UAE side. It won’t be easy.
The golden shot
China took the first gold medal of the games in the women’s 10m air rifle event and also won their first ever gold in men’s swimming thanks to Yang Sun.
Fencing
The women’s foil was a triumph for Italy who took a clean sweep of the medals. Performance of the day though came from the reigning champion Valentina Vezzali. Although denied her fourth successive gold she made a quite remarkable comeback to claim the bronze. 12.8 down to her Korean opponent with just 12 seconds left she clawed her way back to 12.12 and won in “extra time.”
Tomorrow sees the men’s sabre the most swashbuckling fencing event.
Cycling
Our big hope in the men’s road race was Mark Cavendish but he was out of the medals. Two riders broke away in the closing stages with the more experienced of the pair Alexandr Vinokurov of Kazakhstan out sprinting his Colombian rival with the bronze going to Norway.
Swimming
Michael Phelps, the greatest swimmer of all time could only finish 4th in the 400m individual medley with the gold going to emphatic winner Ryan Lochte of the USA.
The gentler sex
Team GB continue to progress in the football competition following up their success against New Zealand with a 3.0 win against Cameroon. Left back Steph Houghton was again on the scoresheet but an injury to defender Ifeoma Dieke is a worry. Next stop is Brazil in a decider to see who tops the group.
Our women’s volleyball and handball teams were both making their Olympic debuts and although they both lost, to an incredibly tall Russian side and Montenegro respectively both put up a spirited performance.
Best of the rest
Team GB stars at Eton Dorney were Helen Glover and Heather Stanning in the women’s pairs. They look a good bet for the gold after winning their heat in an Olympic record time. In the boxing ring our middleweight Anthony Ogogo won his bout to move into the round of the last 16.
On the debit side for team GB Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier were narrowly beaten in the badminton mixed doubles and now face a stiff task to qualify for the enxt round. IN the pool Hannah Miley was 5th in the 400m medley final.
ahorse 