Month: August 2012

 

Day 9 of the games started with the women’s marathon. The lead group consisted of 3 Ethiopians and 3 Kenyans at half way but Russian Petrova Arkhipova came through to join the leaders and managed to prevent an African clean sweep by taking bronze. Ethiopian Tiki Gelana proved too strong for her rivals and took gold with Kenya’s Jeptoo taking silver.

The sailing medal races were tense affairs where a maths degree would have been handy to keep up with the scoring. The remarkable Ben Ainslie bagged gold for the 4th consecutive games after battling his Danish rival Hogh-Christenson all week but in the Star class the Swedes just got the better of GBs Percy and Simpson.

China have bagged all 5 gold medals in the Badminton and generally had a pretty good day with Zhou Lulu winning the +75kg class in the weightlifting and China taking gold and silver in the women’s 3m Springboard diving. There was heartbreak for the Italian diver Tania Cagnotto who lost the bronze by 0.2 of a point to the Mexican Laura Sanchez.

The women’s beach volleyball has come down to the semi finals with the 4 qualifiers from Brazil, USA, Germany and the Czech Republic.

History was made with the first ever bout in women’s boxing. The Russian Savelyeva outpointed Kim of DPR Korea.

On the cycle track GB won silver in the men’s Omnium, a sort of cycling decathlon only with 6 events. Denmark’s Lasse Hansen won gold.

Italy are doing well in the fencing and today they won gold in the Men’s team foil.

There have been some very close finishes in this Olympics and GB missed out on another gold by a very narrow margin in the gymnastics where Hungary’s world champion Berti pipped GB’s Louis Smith in the pommel horse. GB also took bronze with Max Whitlock.

What a performance from Andy Muray who just blew away Federer in the singles final. Murray also grabbed a silver with his partner Laura Robson in the mixed doubles who lost in the tie break to Azarenka and Mirnyi. The Williams sisters won gold in the doubles yet again against the Czech pair in a repeat of the Wimbledon final. There was a minor upset in the men’s singles bronze medal match with Del Potro beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

The wrestling got under way today. There were no Greeks in the final of the Greco-roman 74kg class but a roman did win gold, Russian Roman Vlasov. The other gold medal, in the 55kg category went to Iran.

Performance of the day in the men’s hockey saw an amazing fight back by team GB. 3.0 down to Australia they came back to share the points 3.3. Wonderful comeback with the equaliser coming in the last 5 minutes.

Luke Campbell takes on a Bulgarian in the boxing quarter finals. If he wins this he is guaranteed a medal. I am watching this bout while waiting for the women’s 400m final where defending champion Christine Ohuruogu ha a bit of a chance of a medal. Great run from Christine to grab silver behind worthy champion Richards-Ross. Back to the boxing and Campbell is 1 point in arrears going into the last round. That’s it, it’s going to be close I don’t think he’s done enough. He’s done it 16.15 – phew!

Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan has just won the women’s triple jump. Next up is the 3,000m steeplechase– 1-2-3 for Kenya I suppose. Kemboi keeps up the Kenyan record with fellow countryman Mutoi gets bronze but Frenchman Mekhissi-Benabbad splits the Kenyan’s and takes silver.

There have been big games in the team sports. In the men’s hockey Holland beat Germany 3.1 in the clash between the top 2 in Group B. In the women’s handball Norway were beaten 25.20 by Spain.

The big moment of the evening coming up – the men’ 100m final. Is Usain going to bolt up. Bolt looked very good in the semis – I think he will win. Bolt – no problem!

More boxing tomorrow. Vasyl Lomachenko is number 1 seed in the lightweight division and meets a boxer from Puerto Rico. GB middleweight Anthony Ogogo will face a German opponent while Magomedrasul Medzhidov of Azerbaijan is looking good in the super heavies.

It is goal less at half time in the men’s hockey between Spain and Argentina. Time for bed.

 

Once again there has been some wonderful sport today starting with the women’s triathlon this morning. Heather Jenkins was the great GB hope and coming into the third phase, the run, she was in the leading group. That group was whittled down to just 5 athletes as they neared the finish but Jenkins just could stay with the pace. The finish though was quite something with the Swiss Spirig beating Norden of Sweden by a whisker – in fact it needed a photo to split them. Switzerland becomes the first nation to win the triathlon event twice at the Games following the victory of Brigitte McMahon in the women’s triathlon at Sydney 2000, where the sport made its Olympic debut.

The tennis tournament has produced some classic matches and today was no exception. Andy Murray and Laura Robson brilliantly won a Mixed Doubles semi-final for Great Britain against Germans Christopher Kas and Sabine Lisicki. They will meet Mirniy and Azarenka from Belrus in the final. Elsewhere at Wimbledon Serena Williams demolished Sharapova 6.0, 6.1 and the Bryan brothers took the men’s doubles for USA.

In the rowing Team GB celebrated double gold medal glory on an historic Olympic Saturday with the men’s Four and the women’s Lightweight Double Sculls winning titles in exciting style. It was very nearly three gold in the men’s lightweight double sculls but we were just pipped by the Danes.

There was a gutsy win for Denmark in the badminton men’s doubles when Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen recorded a thrilling  semi-final victory over Republic of Korea’s Chung Jae-sung and Lee Yong 17-21 21-18 22-20. In an all Chinese final Xuerui Li beat Yihan Wang in the women’s singles. China also won the women’s doubles with Japan getting the silver.

GB can do no wrong in the track cycling. Great Britain’s women claimed Team Pursuit gold in a blistering world record time at the Olympic Velodrome.

We just can’t stop winning gold medals with the latest coming in the men’s long jump thanks to Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis in the heptathlon and a magnificent performance from Mo Farah in the 10,000m. Phew! What a night of athletics.

What a shame that the evening ended with GBs defeat in the football. It just had to be another penalty shoot out.

Loads more to look forward to tomorrow with Ben Ainslie going for gold in the sailing. The gold medal in the Finn class is between Ainslie, Hogh-Christensen the Dane and Postma of the Netherlands. In the Star class Percy and Simpson, winners in Beijing have the Brazilians and the Swedes as the main danger. We also have the men’s 100m and the tennis finals.

 

Friday and the athletic starts today. Plenty more to look forward to though, cycling, rowing and the men’s singles tennis semis. There are some crucial basketball games. Russia v Australia in the men’s and Angola v Croatia in the womens.

We have the women’s football quarter finals later on. The women’s badminton singles has reached the semi final stage and I will be supporting the Indian player Saina Nehwal.

Midday and I’m trying to keep tabs on the badminton, volleyball and rowing simultaneously! The Dane’s Fisher and Pederson are in charge in the mixed doubles bronze medal match with the Indonesian pair out of sorts. One set up and 18.11 in the second. Back to the volleyball and China have saved a match point against Brazil. The Danes have got the bronze 21.12, 21.12 great performance. 26 all in the volleyball – tense stuff. 30.28 to the Chinese and it’s 2 sets all.

A mini shock in the men’s hockey with Argentina coming back from 0.2 down to draw with the Aussies in a feisty game. A brave effort from the GB women’s handball team but Angola just too strong for them and they go down 25.31.

Time to catch up on the various events.

Women’s football – France rather surprisingly beat Sweden 2.1 and go through to the semis.

Rowing – Gold for Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins of Great Britain in the Women’s Double Sculls and a bronze for Alan Campbell in the single sculls with New Zealand taking gold.

Evening and we need a quick catch up.

Cycling – Fantastic evening for team GB with gold in the team Pursuit beating the Aussies in the final and gold for Victoria Pendleton in the Keirin.

Volleyball – GB have lost to the Dominican Republic in straight sets.

Tennis Federer through against Del Potro 19.17 in an epic semi and Andy Murray has won the first set against Djokovic. In one of the greatest doubles matches I have ever seen Tsonga and Llodra have edged past Lopez and Ferrer 18.16 in the third set and will meet the Bryan brothers in the final. Serena Williams will play Sharapova in the women’s singles final.

Boxing – In the welterweight division Freddie Evans has beaten a Lithuanian to reach the last 8 while at the same weight Taras Shelestyuk looked good in beating a boxer from Moldova.

Women’s football – France, Japan and USA are through to the semi but GB are 1.0 down to Canada. 0.2 now and the GB dream could be over.

Swimming – No gold this time for Becky Adlington who has to settle for her second bronze behind runaway winner Katie Ledecky from the USA.

Hockey – GB beat Pakistan 4.1 and our next game is against Australia where both teams put 100% records on the line.

Weightlifting – Svetlana Podobedova of Kazakhstan won the gold in the women’s 75kg Weightlifting final.

Murray has 3 match points! Great service return to the Serbian’s feet and Murray will get at least a silver.

Looking forward to the women’s 10,000m where the Ethiopians will be hard to beat.

An hour gone at Coventry and GB still trail 0.2. Not looking good. Final score 0.2.

Women’s basketball and we are 53.50 down against France with 5 minutes t go. We end up losing in extra time.

The evening ends with an awesome performance from Dibaba in the women’s 10,000.

Looking forward to the triathlon tomorrow morning.

 

Away we go again. 8.40 on Thursday and Japan are playing Korea in the women’s hockey on the blue pitch. No score early doors. Plenty of good stuff to come though with track cycling and rowing hopefully providing team GB with more success. In the tennis Djokovic meets Tsonga on centre court.

We have the men’s singles semis in the table tennis where an all Chinese final is on the cards. In the badminton we have the men’s doubles this morning. There are 7 countries represented but only Denmark from Europe.

Half time in the hockey and there is no score. In the badminton quarters the Malaysian pair are leading the Thais 19.13 in the first set – entertaining stuff. There is a spectacular game in the men’s basketball between France and Lithuanian – 25.21 to the French so far.

Latvia have taken the first set in the men’s beach volleyball but Holland are staging a comeback in the second as it is all square at 16 all. France lead Lithuania 37.35 and back at the hockey Korea have gone 1.0 up. GB lead Egypt in the women’s team foil and it’s time I went off to work! More later – rowing, tennis, etc.

Lunchtime now and we have reached the quarter finals of the women’s archery. South Korea take on Russia. The first set is shared score 1-1. Russia takes the 3^rd set and we are 3 all. 4^th set goes to Korea and Korea just need a point to go through. After 2 arrows it’s 18 each – tension mounts. Russia shoots 9. Buillseye to win. 10 it is Korea go though.

Medals all over the place for Team GB. According to the press before the games there was little cause for optimism from our judo team after the entire coaching staff was replaced. Gemma Gibbons a 25 year old from South London proved the critics wrong though with a silver just beaten by an American in the final. It was the gold in the shooting though after a tense finish the world record holder in double trap, 6 foot 6 Peter Wilson won his event.

At Eton Dorney Great Britain’s lightweight men’s four won a gutsy silver just edged out by South Africa. We went even better in the canoeing slalom winning gold and silver. Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott were surprise winners pushing the more fancied Britons David Florence and Richard Hounslow into second.

The Women’s archery final went to the favourite Bo Bae Ki from South Korea despite a spirited display from the Mexican Aida Roman. Earlier in the day at Eton Dorney USA won the women’s 8s.

Back live and Roger Federer is playing John Isner. The game is going with serve at the moment. The track cycling has started with the men’s and women’s team sprint finals coming up later. It’s Spain v USA in the women’s beach volleyball with the winners to top Group B.

Badminton the men’s doubles has reached the semi finals stage with the 4 teams from Malaysia, China, Denmark and South Korea. The mixed doubles will feature 2 Chinese pairs with Denmark and Indonesia to fight for the bronze. In the women’s singles there are 2 Chinese, a Thai and a lady from India. The women’s doubles semis feature Russia, Japan, Canada and of course China.

Men’s Basketball. In Group A USA are unbeaten with France going best of the rest. In Group B Brazil v Russia is an important game tonight. In the womens competition USA and China top Group A France and Russia are 100%.

In the men’s handball France and Spain head their groups. In the women’s competition there are some important games tomorrow. Croatia v Montenegro and Korea v France.

In the men’s hockey we have a crucial game tomorrow morning against Pakistan who we beat in the London 1948 games in the semi finals. Our women’s team are going well and should beat Belgium tonight.

Back to the beach volleyball and it’s 17.16 to USA. Tennis again and Federer has the first set. Cycling now and Pendleton and Varnish looking for a polished performance in their heat against the Ukraine. GB win easily but it looks as though we will be disqualified.

Tea time now and it’s Sharapova v Clijsters with the Russian taking thr first set. In the mixed doubles Andy Murray and Laura Robson are a set up.

Great win in the team spring for GB beating the French. Chris Hoy showing just what Bran Flakes can do!

The Belgium v GB hockey is under way and it’s 6 all in the tie break in the mixed doubles. Great shot from Robson and it’s match point. Now it’s 7.8 and set point to the Czechs. One set all and the match will be settled by a match tine break.

In the badminton Lin Dan has beaten Sasaki of Japan and goes into the semi finals. GB 7.5 up in the tennis after 5 straight winning points. Murray ace – 8.5. That’s it well done Robson and Murray. Sam Stosur and Leighton Hewitt in the next round. We are 1.0 up in the hockey.

Women’s all round gold in the Gymnastics has gone to Gabrielle Douglas.

Boxing now and Josh Taylor takes on the world number 1 Valentino of Italy in the lightweight competition. A spirited effort from the Scot but the experience of the Italian prevailed and he goes through 15.10. Another win for Italy in the womem’s team foil

It’s the medal ceremony for the 200m individual medley with Michael Phelps getting his gold medal – his 20^th Olympic medal! The hockey ends 3.0 to GB.

Phew – bedtime.

 

Wednesday morning at the Olympics and the Aussies are already 3.0 up against Spain in the men hockey and it’s not even half time yet.

Plenty to look forward to later on. The time trials in cycling, men’s rowing eights final, and later GB take on Uruguay in a crucial final group game in the footie.

That’s breakfast over and the kookaburras ran out 5.0 winners over Spain. The Dominican Republic ladies volleyball team are a likeable lot but they are trailing Japan by one set to love at the moment which is a pity. There is a cracking handball game at the Copper Box where the Norway ladies are trailing South Korea 15.12 with the Koreans looking good for the win. France have the lead against Canada in the women’s basketball. Badminton men’s singles has reached the knockout stage and China’s Lin Dan looks to be on his way to beating his Indonesian opponent. Time to take the dog out!

Back again in time to see Kim Clijsters warming up for her women’s single match. Table tennis women’s singles has come down to the medals today with the final not surprisingly an all Chinese affair. In the bronze medal clash Singapore take on Japan.

Holland leading Belgium in the men’s hockey but it is off to the women’s pairs final in the rowing – starters order –they’re off! 500m and we are well ahead. We’re miles ahead – they think it’s all over! It is now – gold medal.

Waiting for the next rowing final let’s have a quick look at the sailing. 24-year-old Alison Young had a fantastic day and now lies fourth overall in the Laser class but the Irish sailor seems to be sailing away from the rest so far. Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson lead the Star class by four points.

Back to the rowing and the women’s quad sculls goes to Ukraine with GB tailed off. The men’s 8s is next with the Germans hot favourites. Medal for GB perhaps? Back to the tennis for a minute and Serena Williams has got off to a powerful start against Vera Zvonareva with a break of serve in the first game.

10pm and much to look back on. Germany justified favouritism in the rowing 8s but GB won bronze. Gold for another hot favourite Bradley Wiggins in the cycling time trial and GB won silver in the pool thanks to Michael Jamieson in the 200m breaststroke.

Boxing

 

It was the turn of the super heavyweights today and world number 1, a mean looking guy called Magomedrasul Medzhidov from Azerbeijan made mincemeat of a boxer from Congo while the reigning Olympic champion Cammarelle a policeman from Italy outpointed a 19 year old from Ecuador. Russia beat America in a clash of the super powers with Omaerov beating Breazeale on points.

Table tennis

Li Xiaoxia caused an upset against Chinese compatriot Ding Ning to claim gold in the women’s Singles Table Tennis competition with Singapore taking bronze.

Football

Great win for team GB who rode their luck at time but got the job done to earn themselves a quarter final place.

Swimming

In the pool their was silver for GB with, while Nathan Adrian took gold for the USA in the 100m freestyle.

Fencing

It was the women’s sabre today and a shock in the semi finals when Kim came back from 2.8 down to beat hot favourite Mariel Zagunis of the USA winner of the two previous Olympic golds and then went on to beat Russia’s world champion Sofya Velikaya in the final. Venezuela won a rare gold in the men’s epee.

Tennis

Andy Murray lost the first set to Marcos Baghdatis but recovered to reach the quarter finals.

It’s nearly bedtime (I’m working in the morning) – One minute to go in the Russia v Croatia women’s handball and it is an epic finish. Croatia lead 30.28 – that’s it, final whistle and Croatia get the points.

There are no bikinis on view in the beach volleyball as the temperature is a bit nippy on Horseguards Parade. Cooke and Hinckley of Australia are fighting back against the Czechs after losing the first set. In the women’s Volleyball Korea have taken the first set against Brazil and in the women’s basketball the USA lead Turkey 33.24.