IN AN OLYMPIC GAMES WHICH HAS BEEN HAILED AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL GAMES FOR GREAT BRITAIN SINCE 1908, THE CLOSING CEREMONY WAS SUITABLY BEFITTING.
PRINCE HARRY, PRINCESS ANNE AND THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE SAT ALONGSIDE MONSIEUR ROGGE, (THE CHAIRMAN OF THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE)
AND LOOKED AS THOUGH THEY THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE CEREMONY
THE CEREMONY WAS JAM-PACKED WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCES FROM MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES AND GENRES, INCLUDING EMILE SANDE (WHO OPENED PROCEEDINGS), THE SPICE GIRLS
THE SPICE GIRLS PERFORM
ONE DIRECTION, QUEEN, GEORGE MICHAEL, TAKE THAT, THE PET SHOP BOYS AND JESSIE J.
ONE DIRECTION PERFORM
ANNIE LENNOX PERFORMS
PLUS ANNIE LENNOX, MADNESS, THE KAISER CHIEFS, TINIE TEMPAH, THE WHO, AND DJ FATBOY SLIM AMONGST MANY OTHERS
FATBOY SLIM PERFORMS
THE CELEBRATIONS EVEN INCLUDED APPEARANCES FROM OUR ICONIC SUPERMODELS IN THE FORM OF KATE MOSS,
NAOMI CAMPBELL, KAREN ELSON, LILY COLE, STELLA TENNANT, ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO, JOURDAN DUNN, AND A SUPER COOL DAVID GANDY (GEORGIA MAY JAGGER WAS ALSO THERE)
(THEREBY INCLUDING OUR MULTI-MILLION POUND FASHION INDUSTRY IN THIS CELEBRATION OF GREATNESS).
DARCEY BUSSELL WAS THERE TOO AND DANCED BEAUTIFULLY TO DAVID ARNOLD’S ‘SPIRIT OF THE FLAME’
AND A LARGE CHUNK OF THE CEREMONY WAS ACTUALLY SPENT FOCUSING ON THE ATHLETES THEMSELVES. (AN ESPECIALLY NICE TOUCH). THE ATHLETES SPENT MUCH TIME CIRCLING THE TRACK OF THE STADIUM TO THOUSANDS OF CHEERS FROM THE ADORING CROWD, BASKING IN THEIR WELL DESERVED ADMIRATION.
ATHLETES ENTERING THE STADIUM
GYMNASTS PERFORMED BACKFLIPS, AND OTHER ATHLETES PROUDLY SHOWED THEIR MEDALS TO THE CAMERAS, SMILING BROADLY. (PERHAPS WHEN WE LOOK BACK ON THE CLOSING CEREMONY, THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE SCENES WHICH WE MOST REMEMBER? A SCENE OF HAPPINESS, PRIDE AND CONTENTMENT – UNREHEARSED).
ALL IN ALL, THE CEREMONY WAS A TRIUMPH. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE BROAD RANGE OF AGES BETWEEN THE ATHLETES AND THE AUDIENCE THERE WAS A PERFORMANCE THERE FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE.
IF DANNY BOYLE’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS A CELEBRATION OF OUR BRITISH HISTORY, LAST NIGHT’S CEREMONY WILL GO DOWN AS A CELEBRATION OF OUR WONDERFUL HERITAGE IN MUSIC, CULTURE AND CREATIVITY – AND IF ONE PUT’S THEM ALL TOGETHER, AND ADDS ON THE OVERALL SUCCESS OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES LONDON 2012 BOTH LOGISTICALLY, AND IN THE SPORTING PROWESS OF OUR ATHLETES, AND ALONG WITH THE PARALYMPICS (WHICH BEGIN SHORTLY) WILL SURELY INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.
HAPPY SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM SURREY WHO WERE GIVEN OLYMPIC TICKETS TO LONDON 2012
SAMANTHA MURRAY HAS JUST WON A SILVER MEDAL FOR THE MODERN PENTATHLON RUN-SHOOT EVENT, PUTTING THE ‘CHERRY ON THE CAKE’ FOR THE WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENTS OF TEAM GB IN THESE OLYMPIC GAMES!
SAMANTHA MURRAY LEFT A PARTING MESSAGE FOR THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY THESE GAMES -
“HONESTLY, IF YOU HAVE A GOAL – IF THERE’S ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE – DON’T LET ANYBODY GET IN YOUR WAY. YOU CAN DO IT. IF I CAN DO IT, AND I’M A NORMAL GIRL, ANYONE CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO”
AS SOON AS ANTHONY JOSHUA WALKED INTO THE STADIUM, THE LOOK OF DETERMINATION AND CONFIDENCE ON HIS FACE SHOUTED “CHAMPION”.
FRED EVANS WINS A SILVER FOR TEAM GB
21 YEAR OLD FRED EVANS PUT UP A GOOD FIGHT AGAINST 28 YEAR OLD SERIK SAPIYEV FROM KAZAKHSTAN THIS AFTERNOON WINNING ANOTHER SILVER MEDAL FOR TEAM GB.
AFTER THE FIGHT FRED EVANS SAID “I HAVE HAD FOUR HARD FIGHTS AND THAT WAS THE FIFTH. NO EXCUSES, HE WAS SHARPER AND I DID NOT STICK TO MY PLAN CORRECTLY. HE WAS SHARPER TODAY AND CAME OUT ON TOP. I AM STILL YOUNG AT 21, SO I HAVE DONE WELL AND I AM OVER THE MOON”.
AMIR KHAN WENT ON TO SAY “HE HAS DONE SO WELL, HE HAS A VERY BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM”. WELL DONE FRED!!
A GOLD FOR “COOL HAND LUKE” CAMPBELL LAST NIGHT BROUGHT TEAM GB’S GOLD MEDAL TALLY TO 28!!
LUKE CAMPBELL BEAT JOHN JOE NEVIN FROM IRELAND LAST NIGHT TO A 14-11 VICTORY IN THE BOXING BANTAMWEIGHT EVENT AT THE ExCEL ARENA.
BOXING SUPREMO LENNOX LEWIS SAID OF THE FIGHT “LUKE CAMPBELL WAS BRILLIANT.
HE KEPT EVERYTHING INTACT, HE BOXED FROM A DISTANCE AND NEVER TOOK ANY CHANCES”. WELL DONE LUKE!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO TOM DALEY FOR HIS SUPERB BRONZE MEDAL WIN TONIGHT AT THE INDIVIDUAL 10M PLATFORM DIVE.
MO FARAH HAS JUST BECOME THE SIXTH MAN IN OLYMPIC HISTORY TO WIN THE 5,000 AND 10,000 METRE GOLD MEDAL TITLES AT THE SAME GAMES!
MO RAN A SUPERB RACE AND KEPT ETHIOPIAN RUNNER DEJEN GEBREMESKEL AT BAY, WHILST KENYA’S THOMAS LONGOSIWA WON THE BRONZE MEDAL.
AFTER THE RACE MO SAID THAT THE MEDAL WAS “FOR HIS GIRLS” (HIS WIFE IS DUE TO GIVE BIRTH TO TWINS VERY SOON…..) WELL DONE MO!!!
USAIN BOLT STORMED TO VICTORY AGAIN TONIGHT IN THE 4 x 100 RELAY EVENT, WHICH MAKES HIS THIRD GOLD MEDAL OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES. THIS TIME, WORKING ALONGSIDE HIS TEAM-MATES NESTA CARTER, MICHAEL FRATER, AND YOHAN BLAKE IN THE RELAY. WELL DONE CHAPS!! (THE GUYS SPENT MUCH TIME PRAISING GREAT BRITAIN – AND ESPECIALLY BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY WHERE THEY TRAINED!)
THANK YOU USAIN, NESTA, MICHAEL AND YOHAN AND CONGRATULATIONS!!
GREAT BRITAIN WON ITS FIRST WOMEN’S OLYMPIC HOCKEY MEDAL IN 20 YEARS YESTERDAY – THE 10th AUGUST 2012.
TEAM GB’S HOCKEY TEAM BEAT NEW ZEALAND 3-1, AND WERE CHEERED ON BY TEAM GB’S BIGGEST CHEERLEADER, THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE AT THE RIVERBANK ARENA.
LOOKING COOL AND CHIC IN HER TEAM GB TOP, WITH HER HAIR CURLED AND GLOSSY, CATHERINE LOOKED AS THOUGH SHE REALLY ENJOYED THE MATCH.
CATHERINE SAID TO THE TEAM AFTERWARDS “WELL DONE, I REALLY ENJOYED THE GAME, AND THE ATMOSPHERE”.
WELL DONE LADIES!!!
TOM DALEY HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE DIVING FINALS TONIGHT!!
AFTER QUALIFYING TODAY TOM SAID “I’M GRADUALLY GETTING SHARPER AND SHARPER, IT’S HARD TO COMPETE WHEN YOU KNOW IT DOESN’T COUNT TO MEDALS.
BUT NOW I HAVE QUALIFIED I AM GOING TO GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT TONIGHT”
WELL DONE AND GOOD LUCK TONIGHT TOM!
LIAM HEATH & JON SCHOFIELD
LIAM HEATH AND JON SCHOFIELD WON ANOTHER BRONZE FOR TEAM GB THIS MORNING IN THE MEN’S K2 200M OLYMPIC KAYAK EVENT. THE BOYS STAYED STRONG, WITHSTANDING A ‘STRONG HEADWIND’, TO SECURE ANOTHER BRONZE. RUSSIA’S YURY POSTRIGAY AND ALEXANDER DYACHENKO WON THE GOLD, AND RAMAN PIATRUSHENKA AND VADZIM MAKHNEU FROM BELARUS WON THE SILVER.
ED McKEEVER WINS GOLD IN MEN’S 200M KAYAKING EVENT AND BECOMES OLYMPIC CHAMPION
ED McKEEVER WON ANOTHER GOLD FOR TEAM GB THIS MORNING, IN THE MEN’S 200M KAYAKING EVENT, MAKING HIM OLYMPIC CHAMPION!!
HE LOOKED POWERFUL FROM THE START, AND LED ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE END. SPAIN WON THE SILVER AND CANADA THE BRONZE!!
ANTHONY OGOGO WINS A BRONZE MEDAL FOR BOXING TODAY, BUT A GOLD FOR HIS SUPERB ATTITUDE
SPEAKING OF GREAT SPORTING ATTITUDE’S ANTHONY OGOGO SHOWED US HIS TODAY BY STATING THAT HIS OPPONENT BRAZILIAN FALCAO FLORENTINO WAS “A GREAT FIGHTER”.
ANTHONY ACTUALLY STATED THAT HE WAS “ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO IS ALWAYS HONOURABLE AND GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT”, BUT TWEETED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THAT HE HAD GIVEN THE MATCH HIS “ABSOLUTE ALL” AND “SORRY IT WASN’T ENOUGH”.
WELL DONE FOR GIVING US A BRONZE MEDAL ANTHONY AND ALSO FOR SHOWING SUCH GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP!
ANOTHER SILVER MEDAL FOR TEAM GB’S SAILORS – THIS TIME COURTESY OF HANNAH MILLS AND SASKIA CLARK!
HANNAH MILLS AND SASKIA CLARK WIN ANOTHER SILVER FOR TEAM GB IN WOMEN’S 470 CLASS SAILING EVENT
HANNAH MILLS AND SASKIA CLARK SEEMED EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED NOT TO HAVE WON A GOLD MEDAL TODAY IN THE WOMEN’S 470 CLASS SAILING EVENT.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT ETCHED ON THEIR FACES WAS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE. THESE LADIES HAVE ONLY WORKED TOGETHER FOR 18 MONTH’S BUT IF THE MUTUAL RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR EACH OTHER’S SKILLS AND DETERMINATION DURING THAT TIME COULD BE MOULDED INTO GOLD MEDALS – THEY WOULD HAVE MANY!
THIS IS TRUE SPORTSMANSHIP, AND ANOTHER REMINDER OF WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED IF YOU ‘ TRY YOUR BEST’… THESE GIRLS PULLED TOGETHER AND TRIED THEIR VERY BEST – THEY WON A SILVER MEDAL FOR GREAT BRITAIN! WELL DONE HANNAH AND SASKIA!
A SILVER MEDAL FOR TALENTED BRITISH SAILORS LUKE PATIENCE AND STUART BITHELL!
Luke Patience & Stuart Bithell Win Silver in Men’s 470 Class Sailing Event
BRITISH SAILORS LUKE PATIENCE AND STUART BITHELL HAVE JUST WON A SILVER FOR GREAT BRITAIN IN THE MEN’S 470 CLASS FINAL SAILING EVENT AT WEYMOUTH!! THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WITH THEIR WIN, AND RIGHTLY SO, AND REMINDED US THAT THEY ARE STILL YOUNG, AND WILL BE AROUND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, WHICH IS WHEN WE WILL SEE THE GOLDS!
WELL DONE LUKE AND STUART!!
JADE JONES WON GREAT BRITAIN’S FIRST EVER GOLD MEDAL IN THE SPORT OF TAEKWONDO LAST NIGHT, AND AT JUST 19 YEARS OLD, THIS MADE HER THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF TEAM GB TO WIN A GOLD.
‘HEADHUNTER’ JADE JONES
SUPER AGILE JADE BEAT YUZHUO HOU FROM CHINA 6-4 IN THE -57kg EVENT WITH A SERIES OF WELL PLACED KICKS, WHICH APTLY CONFIRMED HER ATHLETIC MONIKER “THE HEAD HUNTER”.
JADE JONES WAS OVERJOYED TO WIN THE GOLD (BELOW)
WELL DONE JADE!!!
USAIN BOLT WINS MEN’S 200M FINAL FOR JAMAICA – CONFIRMNG THAT HE IS INDEED “A LEGEND”
USAIN BOLT PROVED TONIGHT THAT HE WAS INDEED, GOOD TO HIS WORD, WHEN HE SAID EARLIER IN THE WEEK THAT HE COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED “A LEGEND” UNTIL HE HAD WON THE MEN’S 200M FINAL.
‘THE LEGEND’ USAIN BOLT
AFTER THE RACE HE SAID “THIS IS WHAT I WANTED – AND I GOT IT…!”
TEAM GB’S GOLD MEDAL TALLY NOW STANDS AT 24, WITH THE TOTAL MEDALS AWARDED NOW AT AN OUSTANDING 51!!!
THE ACTION DID NOT STOP THERE THIS AFTERNOON AS, AFTER THE FANTASTIC FEATS FROM CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN AND LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER, ‘FIRECRACKER’ NICOLA ADAMS WON ANOTHER GOLD IN THE WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TEAM GB WITHIN AN HOUR. SHE BEAT REN CANCAN FROM CHINA, AND WAS ECSTATIC AFTERWARDS. WHEN INTERVIEWED, SHE SAID THAT SHE THOUGHT HER WIN WAS “AMAZING”, AND THAT SHE WAS” OVERWHELMED WITH JOY”.
‘FIRECRACKER’ NICOLA ADAMS
SHE ALSO SAID THAT SHE WILL BE EXCITED TO SHOW OFF HER MEDAL IN HER HOMETOWN OF LEEDS WHEN SHE GETS HOME IN A LITTLE WHILE. WELL DONE NICOLA!!
CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN RODE SUPERBLY THIS AFTERNOON, WINNING YET ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL FOR GREAT BRITAIN ON HER MOUNT ‘VALEGRO’.
CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN AND HER HORSE ‘VALEGRO’
CHARLOTTE’S TEAM-MATE LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER ALSO WON THE BRONZE!! WELL DONE TEAM GB!!
SIR CHRIS HOY HAS JUST WON HIS SIXTH GOLD MEDAL IN THE VELODROME THIS AFTERNOON.
THIS MAKES A TOTAL OF 22 GOLDS FOR GREAT BRITAIN!! SIR CHRIS DESCRIBED HIS WIN AS “SURREAL”, AND WAS CLEARLY OVERJOYED WHEN ACCEPTING HIS MEDAL.
WELL DONE SIR CHRIS!!
VICTORIA PENDLETON WINS SILVER IN FINAL OF WOMEN’S SPRINT..
VICTORIA IS NOW TO RETIRE, AND HAS HAD A REMARKABLE CYCLING CAREER – AND WAS HOPING TO BE THE FIRST EVER WOMAN TO WIN THREE OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS. INSTEAD SHE WAS RELEGATED FROM FIRST TO SECOND IN THE FINAL FEW METRES, BECAUSE THE COMMISSAIRES SAID SHE HAD VEERED OUT OF HER LANE. (IF SHE HADN’T IT LOOKED AS THOUGH SHE COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN ONE OF THEIR LAPS). WHEN INTERVIEWED AFTERWARDS VICTORIA SAID THAT SHE WAS HAPPY WITH WHAT SHE HAD ACHIEVED, BUT PLEASED THAT SHE DID NOT HAVE TO RACE AGAIN.
WELL, WE WISH YOU LUCK IN WHATEVER YOU DO VICTORIA!
WELL DONE – YOU HAVE DONE US PROUD!!
LAURA TROTT WINS SECOND GOLD FOR TEAM GB IN THE SAME WEEK, THIS TIME IN 500M TIME TRIAL – TOTALLING 21 GOLD MEDALS FOR GREAT BRITAIN!!
LAURA TROTT - STILL SMILING FROM HER PREVIOUS WIN, AND WITH EYES SPARKLING – RECEIVED HER SECOND GOLD MEDAL IN ONE WEEK FOR HER SUPERB PERFORMANCE IN THE WOMEN’S OMNIUM 500M TIME TRIAL.
REFUSING TO ACCEPT ANY CREDIT FOR HERSELF WHEN CONGRATULATED SHE THANKED HER COACH, HER FAMILY AND THE CROWD FOR HER SUCCESS.
SHE SAID “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT..” - “I TRIED SO HARD IN TRAINING – I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S ALL COME TOGETHER...”
IN THE WORDS OF HEATHER STANNING “IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH – YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING – ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING…”
GOLD MEDAL FOR TEAM GB’S DRESSAGE TEAM!!
LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER, CARL HESTER, AND CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN HAVE JUST WON THE 20TH GOLD MEDAL FOR TEAM GB IN THE DRESSAGE EVENT AT GREENWICH PARK. BRITAIN HAS NEVER BEFORE WON AN OLYMPIC DRESSAGE MEDAL! WELL DONE EVERYONE!!
BROTHER’S ALISTAIR AND JONNY BROWNLEE HAVE JUST SCOOPED THE GOLD AND THE BRONZE RESPECTIVELY IN THE OLYMPIC TRIATHLON.
ALISTAIR FINISHED IN 1 HR 46MINS 25 SECS., WHICH WAS 11 SECONDS FASTER THAN JAVIER GOMEZ OF SPAIN WHO WON THE SILVER.
HOW PROUD MUST THE BROWNLEE FAMILY FEEL AT THE MOMENT?!
WITH USAIN BOLT’S SENSATIONAL WIN IN THE 100M THE OTHER NIGHT, IN 9.63 SECONDS, IT IS SAID THAT THE SUPERSTAR IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE WORD “LEGEND” UNTIL HE HAS WON THE 200M, THEREBY DEFENDING HIS CROWN.
THE HEATS FOR THE 200M START TONIGHT (07/08/12), CULMINATING ON THURSDAY EVENING WITH THE FINAL. CAN THIS OLYMPIC GAMES GET ANY MORE EXCITING?
JASON KENNY WINS HIS SECOND GOLD FOR TEAM GB!
HONOUR AMONGST GREAT SPORTSMEN…
JASON KENNY AND GREGORY BAUBE SALUTE EACH OTHER’S SPORTING PROWESS AT THE END OF THE RACE
JASON KENNY WON THE 18TH GOLD MEDAL FOR TEAM GB TODAY IN THE TRACK CYCLING SPRINT EVENT.
WELL DONE JASON KENNY !!!
TEAM GB WIN GOLD FOR TEAM JUMPING EVENT!!
NICK SKELTON, BEN MAHER, SCOTT BRASH AND PETER CHARLES RODE IN THE TEAM JUMPING EVENT FOR TEAM GB TODAY AND WON THE FIRST GOLD MEDAL FOR BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND IN 60 YEARS IN THE TEAM JUMPING EVENT.
WELL DONE CHAPS!!!
REVERED GYMNAST BETH TWEDDLE WON A BRONZE MEDAL FOR HER SUPERB PERFORMANCE ON THE UNEVEN BARS.
ALIYA MUSTAFINA OF RUSSIA WON THE GOLD AND HE KEXIN OF CHINA WON THE SILVER FOR THEIR GREAT PERFORMANCES. BETH TWEDDLE HAD TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM HER FAMILY (AND THE CROWD). SOMETHING, IT SEEMS, WHICH CAN NEVER BE UNDERESTIMATED!
BETH TWEDDLE’S FATHER SAID “SHE JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER”… IT IS SAID THAT BETH IS NOW TO RETIRE – BUT WHAT A WAY TO GO!!
WELL DONE BETH TWEDDLE!!!
ANDY MURRAY AND LINDA ROBSON WON A SILVER IN LAST NIGHT’S MIXED DOUBLE’S MATCH AFTER BEING BEATEN BY VICTORIA AZARENKA AND MAX MIRNYI OF BELARUS. A SILVER AND A GOLD IN THE SAME DAY ANDY – WELL DONE TO ANDY AND LINDA!
YOU CAN’T SPEAK TOO SOON WITH THE MEDAL COUNT FOR TEAM GB!! ANDY MURRAY WINS ANOTHER GOLD IN MEN’S OLYMPIC SINGLE TENNIS FINALS AGAINST ROGER FEDERER BRINGING TOTAL TO 16!
LOUIS SMITH WON A SILVER MEDAL TODAY FOR HIS SUPERB PERFORMANCE ON THE POMMEL HORSE.
LOUIS WAS THE 2008 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALLIST AND WAS CHEERED ON BY THE EXCITED CROWD. HIS SCORE WAS 16.066, THE SAME AS GOLD MEDAL WINNER KRISZTIAN BERKI, BUT WON A SLIGHTLY LOWER SCORE FOR ‘EXECUTION’.
MAX WHITLOCK, THE TEAM-MATE OF LOUIS WON THE BRONZE – SO ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT RESULT FOR TEAM GB. TWO MEDALS OUT OF THREE!!
WELL DONE LOUIS AND MAX!!!!!
BEN AINSLIE SAILED TO VICTORY IN WEYMOUTH TODAY BRINGING THE GOLD MEDAL TALLY FOR TEAM GB TO 15 CURRENTLY!! BEN AISLIE SAID AFTERWARDS THAT THE ENORMOUS CROWD WHO WERE THERE TO SUPPORT HIM HAD PLAYED AN ENORMOUS PART IN SPURRING HIM ON!
WELL DONE BEN!
MO FARAH WON ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL FOR TEAM GB LAST NIGHT IN AN UNBELIEVABLY FAST TIME OF 27.30.42. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT GREAT BRITAIN HAS WON THE 10,000M OLYMPIC TITLE. THE WINNERS WERE TEAM GB WITH THE GOLD MEDAL, TEAM USA WHO WON THE SILVER IN 27:30.90 AND ETHIOPIA WHO FINISHED IN 27:31.43, AND WON THE BRONZE! GOOD JOB!!!
GREG RUTHERFORD WINS TEAM GB’S 13th GOLD MEDAL IN THE LONG JUMP
GREG RUTHERFORD HAS WON ANOTHER SUPERB GOLD MEDAL FOR GREAT BRITAIN IN THE LONG JUMP WITH AN ASTONISHING LEAP OF 8.31 M. AUSTRALIA’S MICHAEL WATT WON THE SILVER MEDAL WITH 8.16 M, AND WILL CLAYE OF TEAM USA WON THE BRONZE WITH A LEAP OF 8.12 M.
JESSICA ENNIS WINS GOLD DURING 800M TRACK & FIELD EVENT AFTER SUPERB PERFORMANCE IN HEPTATHLON
JESSICA ENNIS HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF THE NATION WITH HER DETERMINATION AND STRENGTH THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION. SHE HAS EVEN BEATEN HER OWN ‘PERSONAL BEST’ TIMES FOR THE 100 METRE HURDLES AND ALSO IN THE 200 METRES. GREAT BRITAIN HAS BEEN RIGHT BEHIND THIS TALENTED ATHLETE FROM DAY ONE, AND DESERVEDLY SO. MANY MIGHT HAVE CRUMBLED UNDER THE ENORMOUS PRESSURE THIS PLACED UPON THEM – BUT HER SUPPORTERS WERE RIGHT THERE. THOUSANDS OF THEM, CHEERING HER ON – AND THIS ONLY SERVED TO MAKE HER STRONGER! GOOD LUCK JESSICA ENNIS – YOU ARE A STAR!!
WELL DONE JESSICA – YOU’RE A STAR!!
LAURA TROTT, DANI KING AND JOANNA ROWSELL HAVE JUST WON ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL FOR TEAM GB, BREAKING THE WORLD RECORD IN THE WOMEN’S TEAM PURSUIT EVENT. THE GIRLS WERE VERY HAPPY AFTERWARDS, EXCLAIMING “WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT..!” THE GIRLS RECORDED A MAGNIFICENT TIME OF THREE MINUTES 14.051 SECONDS. TEAM USA WON THE SILVER, AND CANADA WON THE BRONZE
ZAC PURCHASE AND MARK HUNTER WIN SILVER FOR GREAT BRITAIN!
ZAC PURCHASE AND MARK HUNTER LOOKED DISTRAUGHT AND EXHAUSTED AT THE END OF THEIR RACE. YOU COULD SEE THAT THE DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS REALLY DID GIVE EVERYTHING THEY HAD AT THE END OF THE RACE WHEN IT SEEMED TO BE A TWO BOAT RACE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND MADS RASMUSSEN AND RASMUS QIST OF DENMARK WHO ‘PIPPED THEM TO THE POST’. REALLY GUYS – PLEASE – WE COULD SEE HOW HARD YOU TRIED! YOU GAVE US A SILVER AND WE ARE VERY, VERY HAPPY WITH THAT!!!!
ZAC PURCHASE AND MARK HUNTER BEING INTERVIEWED DIRECTLY AFTER THE RACE
SOPHIE HOSKING AND KATHERINE COPELAND WON ANOTHER GOLD FOR TEAM GB TODAY, LOOKING AMAZED AND ECSTATIC AT THE FINISH!
Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland won another Gold for Team GB in the women’s light double sculls. The modest pair looked absolutely delighted and just a little bit shocked when they look around at the finishing line to see that they had won. When interviewed afterwards, they were both crying and laughing at the same, exclaiming “we’ve just won the Olympics”…. Well Done Girls!!! Dongxiang Xu and Wenyi Huang from China won the silver, and Christina Giazitzidou, and Alexandra Tsiavou from Greece won the bronze.
ANOTHER GOLD FROM THE MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING FOUR!
Andy Triggs Hodge, Alex Gregory, Tom James, and Peter Reed have just won another Gold Medal for Team GB!
Rebecca Adlington managed to ‘hold her own’ against 15 year old USA swimmer Katie Ledecky winning another Bronze Medal for the Team GB pot of Gold, Silver & Bronze.
Katie Ledecky was extremely fast, but Rebecca kept on battling. When interviewed afterwards she said “The pressure and the expectation of coming into these Games has all been a little bit of a battle”, and later in the interview she said “I would have liked the time to be quicker, I’m not going to lie, I’ve done that time all year and I don’t know what happened. Everything just kind of caught up with me.”
We are delighted with the Bronze Rebecca – Well Done!!!
VICTORIA PENDLETON WINS THE GOLD MEDAL FOR WOMEN’S CYCLING KEIRIN
Victoria Pendleton stormed to victory in the womens Cycling Keirin event today, managing to banish any negative feelings from the previous evening’s events from her mind. (Victoria and Jess Varnish had competed in the two-woman, two lap sprint the previous evening which resulted in Jess Varnish being disqualified after an ‘illegal takeover’ had been declared). Victoria said that she planned to “come back with a vengeance” on Sunday as she was “really looking forward to the Sprint”, which begins on Sunday and finishes on Tuesday.
TEAM GB WIN ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL IN MEN’S CYCLING TEAM PURSUIT
Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Peter Kannaugh and Geraint Thomas won another medal for TEAM GB in an astonishing time of 3.51.659 mins beating their previous record by a whole second. Well Done Chaps!
Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins with their Gold Medals
Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins stormed the finish line today in the Women’s Double Sculls Rowing Event. In the lead for the majority of the race, they were jubilant upon receiving their medals on the podium. WELL DONE LADIES!!
‘GIVING THEIR ALL’ FOR GREAT BRITAIN
Karina Bryant wins the Bronze for Team GB in the Women’s Judo Event! Competing against Iryna Kindzerska of Ukraine, Karina put up a tough fight. She was overjoyed when interviewed afterwards, and said that she felt “emotional”.
Karina Bryant
Karina Bryant ‘gets to grips’ with Ukrainian opponent Iryna Kindzerska
ALAN CAMPBELL WINS A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE MEN’S SINGLE SCULLS! He gave it his all – so much so that he was physically exhausted when he finished. He had to lie down on the jetty. It took him a little while to get to his feet again. ALAN CAMPBELL – A TRUE BRITISH HERO!
Alan Campbell with his Bronze Medal
WILL SATCH AND GEORGE NASH ALSO WON A BRONZE MEDAL THIS MORNING FOR THEIR SUPERB PERFORMANCE IN THE MEN’S ROWING PAIRS.
Super-Cool Dudes Will Satch and George Nash
DISQUALIFICATIONS IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES
It’s such a shame that the Olympic Games has had to make disqualifications. We are talking about finely honed athletes here, not a school sports day. In most sports, athletes are usually given a second chance. Footballers, Rugby players, and even Horses (when they are a little too eager at the start of a race are allowed a restart) and sportsmen are given different coloured cards! I think we should feel thankful that they have all tried so, so hard to win.
The reason for the ‘eagerness’ or ‘misguided judegement’ in some other areas can surely only be put down to wanting their team or Country to feel proud, and should be easily rectified by a ‘slap on the wrist’, and a point in the right direction from the referee. Disqualifications should be unnecessary at this stage.
On a brighter note, Sir Chris Hoye, Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes won the fifth Gold at the Velodrome in London! WELL DONE CHAPS!
GREAT BRITAIN HAVE JUST WON TWO MEDALS – GOLD AND SILVER IN THE MEN’S CANOE SLALOM EVENT!
TIM BAILLIE AND ETIENNE STOTT WON THE GOLD AND DAVID FLORENCE AND RICHARD HOUNSLOW SCOOPED THE SILVER!
TEAM GB’S PETER WILSON ALSO WON A GOLD MEDAL IN THE MEN’S DOUBLE TRAP SHOOTING TODAY, WHICH BRINGS OUR GOLD MEDAL TOTAL TO FOUR NOW!
TEAM GB MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING TEAM WIN ANOTHER SILVER MEDAL!!
RICHARD AND PETER CHAMBERS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND AND CHRIS BARTLEY AND ROB WILLIAMS HAD A TOUGH FIGHT WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM, WITH RICHARD CHAMBERS DESCRIBING THE EVENT AS “BRUTAL”. WELL DONE GUYS!!
REBECCA ADLINGTON JUST CAME FIRST IN THE WOMEN’S 800m SWIMMING HEAT IN 8.21, QUALIFYING WITH THE FASTEST SPEED WHICH MAKES HER ONE OF THE STRONGEST CONTENDERS FOR THE FINAL TOMORROW NIGHT!
COME ON TEAM GB!!
MICHAEL JAMIESON WINS A SILVER MEDAL FOR TEAM GB IN MEN’S 200m BREASTROKE FINAL!
Just to complete a fantastic day today for Team GB (01/08/12), Michael Jamieson swum superbly in the Men’s 200m breastroke final. The 23 year old looked strong and confident as he competed, keeping his main opponent (Hungary’s, Daniel Gyurta) firmly in his sights. Daniel Gyurta finished in 2.07.20, setting a new world record, with Michael finishing a split-second behind at 2.07.4
Afterwards, Michael said “I loved it. I had a little more to give after last night” and then he said, “I was so pleased to be able to give Great Britain another medal to ‘cap’ this superb day”…
WELL DONE MICHAEL JAMIESON!!
MORE MEDALS FOR TEAM GB AS BRADLEY WIGGINS WINS A GOLD AND CHRIS FROOME A BRONZE FOR THEIR SUPERB PERFORMANCES IN THE CYCLISTS TIME TRIAL
Bradley Wiggins proved once again that he is, indeed, a Superstar, as he finished the 44km Cycling Course in 50 minutes, 39.54 seconds, which means that after winning this Gold Medal, he has won more medals than any other Briton. Furthermore, his Team GB team-mate Chris Froome, finished closely behind, scooping the Bronze!!
They looked delighted to be presented with their medals in the last few minutes at Hampton Court.
WELL DONE TEAM GB!!!
Great Britain did a great job in the Men’s Rowing Event earlier today.. We ‘held our own’ all the way through the race, gliding shoulder to shoulder with Germany through the water, when all of a sudden the Canadians caught up, and ‘pipped us to the post’. Thereby making Germany the winners, followed shortly afterwards by Canada, and closely followed by our chaps. WELL DONE GREAT BRITAIN!! It looked choppy out there – and you tried your best.
Heather Stanning and Helen Glover won a triumphant race today in the Women’s Rowing Pair’s Race, achieving the first Gold Medal of the Games for Great Britain, and also British Rowing’s first ever female Olympic Gold.
On being interviewed, Heather Stanning said “If you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything – absolutely anything…”
Heather Stanning and Helen Glover with their Gold Medals
ZARA PHILLIPS AND TEAM GB WIN SILVER MEDAL
A CLEAR ROUND FOR ZARA, SCORING 53.1 IN THE INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION. WHEN CONGRATULATED, SHE TOOK NO CREDIT FOR HERSELF, INSTEAD DESCRIBING HER HORSE HIGH KINGDOM AS “SUCH A DUDE”…
Sadly, Tina Cook, and Mary King were not so lucky in this round, but ‘took it on the chin’. Mary King said to BBC1 “I was thrilled to bits to jump a clear round for the team in the first round. It is actually my first clear round at an Olympic games, and I have done five of them already. I am disappointed with my fences down in the individual competition. There is a big bronze lion in the centre of the arena, and because of that (Imperial Cavalier) her horse, got scared and was a bit whizzy, but then settled and jumped beautifully.” She then excitedly went on to say that she is looking forward to competing in Rio in four years time.
Tina Cook said “I will get over it but I am beating myself up at the moment. I was flat to the first fence, and I am not sure which is the other fence I had down. You want to be there going for gold so I am a bit disappointed.”
How tiring and exacting must the past few days have been? One event per day must surely be enough to tire one both mentally and physically, but two events in one day must be exhausting.
If there was an award for good sportsmanship, and graciousness, TEAM GB would be right up there! (And that includes you Miss Hannah Miley who has just finished 7th in the ladies Olympic 200 metre swimming individual medley final in 2.11.29)
Well adjusted and grounded, Hannah has not stopped smiling since she started competing, and said that she was happy with her performance, as she was only 0.4 seconds behind the super-talented Ye Shiwen from China who won the Gold Medal. (It’s sometimes good to be reminded that the difference between winning and not winning can be down to a split second). I think with an attitude like Hannah’s we can watch out for her at future events for years to come. If you need to be reminded of her name, just remember that it rhymes with “smiley”, Hannah Miley
Words – Amanda Waters
IT’S A SILVER FOR GREAT BRITAIN !!!!!
THANKS TO THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF ZARA PHILLIPS, MARY KING, TINA COOK, WILLIAM FOX-PITT AND NICOLA WILSON GREAT BRITAIN HAVE WON A SILVER MEDAL IN THE OLYMPIC EQUESTRIAN SECTION.
WELL DONE TEAM GB!!
ZARA’S “AWESOME” CROSS-COUNTRY EVENT
Even with a front shoe missing on her horse High Kingdom, Zara Phillips managed to complete the exhausting cross-country section of the Olympics equestrian competiton in the superb time of 9 minutes and 55.11 seconds. Happy and exhilarated after the event, she described the experience as “awesome” to reporters.
Zara was watched by Princess Anne, Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate, Camilla and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice also. (No pressure then). The Royal Family looked fab, all dressed in navy and white or cream, and wearing shades. (Well, it was sunny).
WELL DONE ZARA!
Words – Amanda Waters
“COOL, CALM & COLLECTED” – ZARA PHILLIPS MADE AN EXTREMELY STYLISH OLYMPIC DEBUT IN GREENWICH YESTERDAY
Scroll Down for Our Coverage of the Olympic Torch Arriving at Downing Street, (and short video of the happy crowd at No 10), it’s Journey onwards to Buckingham Palace and the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Opening Ceremony, and the Sports for Peace Event, (which took place beforehand).
Zara Phillips delighted viewers yesterday with a super score of 46.10 during the eventing dressage competition, watched proudly by Princess Anne, the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband Mike Tindall and thousands of adoring fans, who had to be quietened during her entrance to avoid spooking her horse High Kingdom.
Zara and High Kingdom seemed perfectly ‘in tune’ with each other as they seemingly glided through the set movements with utmost precision. Ultimately, it was Ingrid Klimke and her mount Butts Abraxxas who came first with a score of 39.3, Dirk Schrade and King Artus came second with 39.8, and Mary King from Team GB, who came in third with an impressive score of 40.9 on her horse Imperial Cavalier.
It’s one thing to have to deal with one’s own nerves, but quite another to have to take into consideration the nerves of your horse, and whether or not there will be any disruptions or sudden noises from the background I would have thought. But Zara and the other riders seemed to ‘take it all in their stride’.
Zara Phillips is patron of many Charities, including Cancer Research UK of which she is Royal Patron, the Sargent Cancer Care for Children, and The Caudwell Charitable Trust, which is targeted at children with special needs.(Amongst many other Charities). She has more or less shunned the Celebrity lifestyle to focus on ‘her job’ – in the equestrian World, specifically focusing on the Olympics, (whilst also making time for her Charities).
She has also collaborated with Musto Outdoor Clothing to create a clothing range named ZP176, after the team number Zara was given when she first represented her country. She describes the garments as “less to do with mainstream fashion and more about practicality and engineering – something that works in training, but which you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in in public”. If that includes the Olympics – I’m first in line for the white jodhpurs and leather boots! She looked amazing!
Words – Amanda Waters
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Is it just me, or does everyone else have a ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’ at the moment? A feeling which can only be described as a mixture of excitement, contentment and immense pride of the wonderful job we are doing at hosting the Olympics. There was so much content in Danny Boyle’s epic opener, that I keep having flashbacks to different era’s. It was like several feature films rolled into one.
THE OLYMPIC OPENING CEREMONY
The Olympic Opening Ceremony commenced the night before last, with a ‘historical extravaganza’ directed by Oscar winning director Danny Boyle, which took us through the ages of British History, and brought us right up to date with pop culture. We also took a trip ‘down the memory lane’ of our NHS service, perhaps reminding us just how wonderful our NHS system is, and also of the inspiring work of the Great Ormond Street Hospital along the way.
The Queen was extremely funny during her sketch with Daniel Craig. Daniel Craig came to collect her at Buckingham Palace. The Queen seemed to be Daniel Craig’s ‘M’ to his 007. In the next moment, they boarded a helicopter which flew over the Olympic Stadium, and Daniel Craig jumped out followed shortly afterward by The Queen. You see them sailing into the Olympic Stadium on parachutes. (Well, their stunt doubles anyway). The Queen certainly has a sense of humour!
Perhaps we showed off just a tad, but who cares.. we have hosted the Olympic Games only twice before. The first time was in 1908, and the second in 1948. Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremony was a masterpiece!
With the Olympic Opening Ceremony nearly upon us, London braces itself for what David Cameron describes as “The Greatest Show on Earth”.
In the meantime, the doors at the BT London Live Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert in Hyde Park opened at 4.00 p.m., where Stereophonics, Duran Duran, Paolo Nutini and Snow Patrol will perform.
At 4.15 p.m., the Queen and the Duke of Edinbrugh opened the doors to Buckingham Palace to host a reception for 95 heads of state and government, including Michelle Obama. The reception is serving champagne and canapes for the V.I.P.’s who will be leaving Buckingham Palace at 7.00 p.m. for the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will follow on shortly afterwards at 8.00 p.m. to join their guests and the rest of the World at the Opening Ceremony!
Meanwhile, at 5.00 p.m., the Olympic Stadium will open it’s doors to the excited spectators.
At 9.00 p.m., the Ceremony will commence. Events during the ceremony have been kept secret, but it is said that they are ensured to be spectacular! With an audience of around 65 thousand in the stadium, and worldwide viewers estimated at around 1 billion, that’s just as well! However, after our outstanding achievements recently with the success of the Royal Wedding, and the Queen’s Jubilee, and with the way this Country has pulled together to ensure that Great Britain hosts a successful Olympic Games for all the World to see, it shouldn’t matter about any of that. We are already winners!
Thousands of People Lined the Banks of the River Thames to Cheer The Olympic Torch on it’s final leg of the tour, Courtesy of The Beautiful Royal Barge Gloriana!
Visitors who have paid thousands for Opening Ceremony tickets gather excitedly outside the Stadium whilst the Olympic Torch makes it’s final journey towards the Olympic Stadium via Richmond’s Bushy Park this morning, before boarding the Royal Barge Gloriana.
The flame is being transported in a cauldron to Tower Bridge and will end it’s journey this evening with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games by The Queen, where it will burn until the end of the games.
Words by Amanda Waters
THE OLYMPIC TORCH ARRIVES AT DOWNING STREET
David and Samantha Cameron welcomed the Olympic Torch to Downing Street yesterday, and watched the ‘relay exchange’ between War Hero Kate Nesbitt, who handed it over to pensioner Florence Rowe. At one point, on his way towards No 10, David Cameron seemed ‘swamped by a sea of pride and happiness,’ which did not deter him from greeting as many people as he could.
David Beckham had also made an appearance earlier after having discussions with the Prime Minister about getting aid to starving children, and world hunger, in his role as Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.
This was the 69th day of the torch’s journey around the UK and it then proceeded towards Buckingham Palace to be greeted by William, Catherine and Harry, who had each nominated one of their charities to participate in this leg of the relay. Kate had nominated a fellow Scout volunteer, Jon Sayer, who handed over to Wai-Ming Lee from MapAction, which is a humanitarian emergency response charity of which Harry is patron. Mr Lee walked up to the Palace to be greeted by Wiliam, Kate and Harry, where he exchanged the Olympic flame with John Hulse from the Mountain Rescue Organisation of which William is patron.
The torch had been carried by a wide array of Sports Stars and Celebrities during the day, including David Walliams, who was “humbled” by the experience, Bruce Forsyth, who danced most of the way on his leg, Rugby Players Lawrence Dallalio and Lewis Moody and the hilarious Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, who stayed ‘in character’ for their roles as AbFab’s Patsy and Eddie, all the way!
A concert was held at Hyde Park at the end of the day, which featured Mark Ronson, Katy B, Eliza Doolittle, Wretch 32 and many others, and a cauldron was lit in front of thousands of spectators with the Olympic torch.
Words by Amanda Waters
Photography by Leah McQueen
SPORTS FOR PEACE EVENT – VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
25th July 2012
We have pleasure in bringing you coverage from the ‘Sports for Peace’ Event which took place last night at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
It was an inspirational gathering last night at the beautiful Victoria & Albert Museum in honour of Muhammad Ali who won an Olympic Gold Medal in 1960, for the United States in the Rome Olympics as a ‘light heavyweight’.
Celebrities and Sports Stars were out in force to pay homage to the courageous (and latterly peacemaking) ‘Casius Clay’ – who is said to have six “core values”. Respect, Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving and Spirituality.
Here at Fashion Show Images we captured a number of Celebrities who were happy to be photographed at an event which kicks off a monumental time for Great Britain as we proudly host
THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Celebrites included (in order from above) Rahman Ali and his wife, the beautiful Lady Victoria Hervey (whose dress sparkled from every angle), Boris Becker and his wife Sharlely, the lovely Tania Bryer and her charming partner Rod Barker (who had a smile for every camera), the gorgeous model and lingerie designer Caprice, (who oozed glamour in Dolce & Gabbana), an extremely dapper Lewis Hamilton, and the stunning Hollywood Actress Rosario Dawson.
Other Celebrity Attendees included Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir David Frost, and the current heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko, to name but a few.
Words by Amanda Waters
Photography by Leah McQueen.