SOMEONE STEADY THE SHIP

[SteveK26]

With day one results for team GB a bit on the iffy side, who will now get the first (gold) medal to steady the ship?
The road race was disappointing, Hannah Miley couldn't get on the swimming podium, our best badminton event suffered a defeat (mixed doubles), and now Paula is out. I'm not sure what the doping rumours were about (or who), but I suspect its a big GB 'name' (but not track and field). Not too great.
Someone needs to spark things up, and get our wagon rolling. Who will it be?

[jeremy1]

There is on the twittersphere some rubbish about MO and Rupp being "investigated" by WADA, but it is unsubstantiated rumour from some American so called twitter sh*te.

[bevone]

Team GB had a slow start at the last OG's once the swimmers and cyclists started winning 5 golds a day!!!! 0ver the 2nd weekend I think, there was a steady stream. Cav was the only real medal disappointment yesterday but racing is like that - unpredictable. The fact that lots of athletes have been sent home is good for us. Also, the ticketing problem is an issue that was waiting to happen. The swimming last night was full but not so full for some of the rounds. Other venues are not full because people are not sitting through the whole sessions - if they leave they should hand their tickets, or vouchers should be then be made available to either purchase for a small fee or free to those without. There are 200 countries competing and they all get free tickets for all events and you know that many of the small countries are not using them and have either not used them or sold them to touts as many corrupt little people do and always have done. Sponsors are the other problem. I am reading and hearing that some stella companies who have been given packages are e-mailing these free VIP packages in their companies and nobody is taking them up.

THe athletics is sold out all sessions - well I am waiting to see if this is so or if there are big gaps in the early sessions. Again smaller countries get allocations which are not then used or are sold on the black market. The finals should be full though. I hope the British public and visiting public get the chance to see as much as they can - which in itself can be a problem as many wont sit through a whole session of a sport they only got because they didnt get the first choice of ticket..

[SteveK26]

Good to see a couple of medals now in the bag. Not surprising they came from a swimmer and cyclist. We dont seem to be doing too good in the 'minor' sports like archery, shooting, fencing etc. I cant make head nor tails of the fencing, too fast for the human eye.
Congrats go to the great Rebecca, she may not have won but she swam faster this time than 4 years ago, and in a textile suit. Bodes well for her chances of defending her 800 crown. Thats a tough event, and swimmers dont come much tougher (in the water) than Rebecca.
Others have performed well in the pool too.....but its going to be hellish to win medals.

I notice that Shakes-Drayton is now FAV to win her event ( Betfair), as is Jess and Mo (twice).

PS Beth Tweddle was AWESOME on the bars. Can she drag her battered body into the medals? That would make my day if she could.

[jeremy1]

So far in the first couple of days,no British swimmer who might have been expected to perform to medal standard or at least get in to the finals at a home Olympics , especially our best women and including Adlington, has actually swam faster than they did in March 2012 at the National swimming trials, but the people who win medals or who get into the finals and occupy the first 4/5 positions have a habit of excelling when it counts.

Adlington swam faster in March and was taken aback by the speed in the later heats and when I saw she was stuck in the outer lane then clearly the bronze was the best she would do. She is a better bet to win the 800metres but will have a battle royal with at least 3 other swimmers.

In my opinion an Adlington at her very best was capable of 4.01; I think the pressure got to her but congrats on a Bronze to Becky.
Some ofour male swimmers were way down on their early season form; perhaps just happy to be in the Team.

Lets hope somebody on our swimming team is truly inspired by the wonderful home support during this week.

The standards are utterly amazing even in the Heats; the British press that I have read in the last few months clearly takes no notice of what is happening in the rest of the world. A bit like track and field.

[jeremy1]

Heartily agree with Steves comment about Tweddle; outstanding performance . I never saw any other performer on the bars but I think she will be right in the mix, barring no accident. Our women gymnasts have performed very well, so far, and there is a talent stream coming up.

[SteveK26]

Jeremy
Glad to hear your praise of Beth Tweddle; she has been going for yonks and has been an inspiration to a generation of gymnasts. Its possible to argue that her heroics in the past are singularly responsible for the current emergence of British Gymnastics. There are indeed a lot of young talents coming through, male and female.

Not sure I quite agree with you on the swimmers.
For example, Georgie Davies swam a lifetime best in the heats, and Gemma Spofforth a seasons best in the same event.
Similarly Tancock has already swum faster than he did in March, as has Rob Renwick in the 200 free.
Agreed Becky swam marginally faster in March , but not by much.
Halsall has had problems over the last year, and I wouldn't judge her on the Fly. Lets see what she does in the freestyle.

I'm sure we would agree that there have been some amazing results in the pool, and some surprises as well. I'm certainly enjoying it.

[Kermit]

Adlington got more than she expected as did the person who came 4th as they are both 800m specialists. As for the suprise - Jamaica has a finalist in the Breaststroke!!!

[SteveK26]

Team GB ship is well and truely steadied now, in fact she is steaming at full throttle!!
Brilliant day, even with disappointment for the great Vicky Pendleton. (I am surprised she made such an elementary mistake, given her experience).
The rowers , cyclists and sailors will bring home sackfuls of medals... and we even seem to be dominating equestian dressage. Bonus golds from the canoeists and a shooter!

The atmosphere in the velodrome must be electric, and the GB cyclists are destroying world records at will. I would love to be there and soak it all up.

This success may rub off on the athletes, who are going to want their piece of glory. Cant wait!!