Despite the fantastic work of Britain’s cyclists at the Olympics merely a couple of weeks ago, the sport of cycling has once again come under the microscope this week with its dealings and continual tarnishing of its reputation through the drug usage by major names of the sport. This time however, it is arguably the sport’s biggest name, Lance Armstrong. Accused by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) of taking performance-enhancing steroids at the time when Armstrong was dominating the cycling world, with seven consecutive Tour de France victories, the accusations arose as a major surprise. This is because Armstrong has never failed a drugs test (although critics have argued there was no test for EPO when he was competing) and reached his sporting prowess after an incredible life story where he overcame cancer to get back on the bike and achieve his global supremacy. It is a major tarnishing of the man’s reputation, and yet, many are refusing to jump on the bandwagon of another huge cycling star being tainted with the same brush as the likes of Contador, Schleck, and the rest.
This is predominantly due to there being no hard evidence, as of yet, being unveiled by USADA, that shows Armstrong to be guilty. Despite this, there has to be genuine concerns as to what the anti-doping agency have acquired for Armstrong to give up on any legal battle to clear his name, claiming he was too tired to fight the charges. Most would consider this an admission of guilt. For someone so successful and inspirational to so many, to end up giving up so weakly, in a manner that goes completely against the character people have of Armstrong strikes significantly of somebody who knows they are guilty but would rather the damning information be never unveiled publicly. He has lost the seven major titles that defined his career. He is banned from the sport for life. It is as if he is happy washing his hands of the sport, and has no desire to be associated with it. Although he still refuses to admit guilt, his manner and stance suggests otherwise. He claims to have grown tired of the accusations and battle, but why throw so much money into a legal case and put in all that effort to save your name if you are only going to back out later on?
On the other hand, many accusations have been thrown at Armstrong in the past, all of which were batted away without much of a second thought. Although, his achievements did seem super-human, you would also have to argue, that to go through his whole career without a drugs test not once indicating that he may have had even the slightest use of drugs is also pretty miraculous. The tests might not be like they are now, but they still uncovered drug cheats. Plus, if there wasn’t a fair test for a drug at the time, then it is harsh to claim to claim it is illegal. What also seems bizarre is that it has taken this long for the revelations to be made. Armstrong won his first title back in 1999, approaching fifteen years ago now, and it is only now that he is being stripped of his titles. In essence, the claims are that he was using performance-enhancing drugs fifteen years ago. That is some claim and thus, the necessity for proof I think is massive as you would have thought something already would have been unveiled beforehand if Armstrong was guilty all those years back.
It should be noted that the UCI (International Cycling Union) very much abide by the innocent until proven guilty rule, and so they themselves, have yet to take Armstrong’s Tour de France titles off him. They also appear to be quite disgruntled about USADA’s dealings and large involvement in competitions that the UCI to be considered over and clean. Subsequently, if they feel the evidence that they hold is insignificant or not strong enough, then it would be no surprise to see them take the matter to the Court of Arbitration. If this occurs though, then expect everything to come out in the public domain, which is arguably what Armstrong doesn’t want to happen. Having said that, it would once and for all, end any accusations towards Lance Armstrong and his reputation for life would ultimately be decided. Also, if the Court decides to side with USADA, then the credibility of UCI is also going to be greatly damaged. There is a very fine line between everything currently, with the reputation of the sport certainly at risk once more.
I feel it is important for the sport now that USADA actually reveal the alleged evidence they have. Otherwise, the accusations will forever look like ones that were politically motivated and driven by bitterness of those who were less talented than Armstrong. Particularly as the only evidence that they appear to have is the testimonies of ten former team-mates of Armstrong. What is for certain is that the situation is one that, if it isn’t already, is becoming a very messy one, and as Chris Froome described it, one that is only bringing a negative image to the sport. Despite the success British individuals seem to be attaining from the sport currently, it is still one of the highest drug abused activities out there in the professional sphere. However, maybe we’re at a time where concentration needs to be focussed more on catching those who compete currently rather than those who potentially were cheats many years ago. There has to be a time where records are put to bed and left alone. But there also needs to be a message that performance enhancing drugs are not welcome in sport. Not now, not ever.
Sunday 26 August 2012
Monday 20 August 2012
KP KO'd?
The English Cricket team are staring a series defeat to South Africa in the face after Sunday, and with it, relinquishing their number one status as the best Test cricket side in the world. Although there is the chance of a turn around, the South Africans are certainly favourites heading into the final day, and subsequently, expect the media to use the omission of Kevin Pietersen as a reason for the defeat. Having said this, Pietersen’s replacement, Jonny Bairstow, contributed a fantastic debut innings and cannot be faulted for the predicament the team currently find themselves in.
The debate as to whether Pietersen was right or wrong to be included after the alleged discovery of some slanderous text messages towards Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower to South African players, Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, is a different matter entirely. Continuously, whether a player should be dropped over something that has only been alleged (albeit KP has since admitted the messages were sent) is also a different matter in entirely. Pietersen is certainly a controversial character, and has been in the headlines regularly in recent months with his too-ing and fro-ing and disputes with the English Cricket Board, announcing, and subsequently removing, his retirement from the one day game and Twenty20 competitions for his adopted country. For a man so talented and certainly an important figurehead for the English team since his debut, it is a shame that he always appears to be finding himself in the front of regular controversy.
Pietersen’s playing approach, particularly with the bat, also normally goes one of two ways; either a flourishing, spectacular, quick-fire top figure, or a pathetic, insipid, mistake strewn lowly score. The manner in which his mindset must have been approaching this game, I would back that it would have been the latter that appeared in England’s first innings in this Test, and based on the situation they found themselves at the time when he would have walked to the crease, well, the match would already be over. Bairstow came out instead and was calm, cool and collected and helped manoeuvre the side back into a fighting chance, and eventually, on par at the end of the first innings. His score of 95 was created supremely and he is certainly looking like a long-term England international if he maintains such composure in the face of adversity.
What I am therefore struggling to comprehend then, is how people can scream for the return of Pietersen when his replacement has, so far, done a more than admirable job. The second argument would be to have them both, in which case you need to remove one of the other batsmen who are more consistent, if maybe not always hitting tons as frequently as KP does. Pietersen is also getting on now; he is reaching the end of his career, although I admit there is still a couple of good years and an Ashes series in him. But does he really want it? Does he want to be there? Or is he now happy with all that he has accomplished? If he is, then he needs to be letting the selectors know, so hungry, passionate individuals can enter the side, like Bairstow and begin to establish themselves into internationals who can be called upon when the big Test series arrive, rather than just experiencing matches against Bangladesh and the like!
So whilst Bairstow establishes himself and earns the respect of his peers, Pietersen is at the other end of the scale, with his text messages potentially damaging not only his reputation but his continued career in the game. Not only has he been critical of the captain, a man whom the majority, if not all, of the squad, are behind; he has potentially delivered damaging information regarding how to dismiss Strauss to the South African bowlers. If this revelation is true, I struggle to comprehend how KP can ever believe he has an international future again. He would be entering a dressing room that is sceptical to the approach they can adopt with him, and whether he is a trustworthy individual. For example, there will be doubts amongst many of the established players as to whether they have also faced criticism from Pietersen in some manner, or if their weaknesses have been divulged to opponents. Pietersen’s acts are just crazy, and how he thought they would ever remain underwraps when we are in the world we are today, is just ludicrous.
As you may have gathered, the media storm that Kevin Pietersen has created and which subsequently follows him around is one I am not an advocate of. Having said that, there are very few sport stars out there who I am willing to be gracious towards in that respect. I wouldn’t mind if his talents were winning England matches every time, but they do not. Yes, every so often he is the saviour once again. But Bell and Cook also do that with the bat; Swann and Anderson with the ball. He is not a stand-out player in that respect, as demonstrated by his golden duck that he accrued for Surrey this weekend. Instead he just craves to be the centre of attention and because of his expansive batting attack, the media salivate over him. Do not get me wrong, I think KP is a talented cricketer, I just believe he is easily influenced and affected by other things around him, which then causes his detrimental performances. What is for certain is that whatever pathway the man decides to take in the next few months will certainly be one to watch, if only to see its impact on the national team’s performances...
The debate as to whether Pietersen was right or wrong to be included after the alleged discovery of some slanderous text messages towards Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower to South African players, Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, is a different matter entirely. Continuously, whether a player should be dropped over something that has only been alleged (albeit KP has since admitted the messages were sent) is also a different matter in entirely. Pietersen is certainly a controversial character, and has been in the headlines regularly in recent months with his too-ing and fro-ing and disputes with the English Cricket Board, announcing, and subsequently removing, his retirement from the one day game and Twenty20 competitions for his adopted country. For a man so talented and certainly an important figurehead for the English team since his debut, it is a shame that he always appears to be finding himself in the front of regular controversy.
Pietersen’s playing approach, particularly with the bat, also normally goes one of two ways; either a flourishing, spectacular, quick-fire top figure, or a pathetic, insipid, mistake strewn lowly score. The manner in which his mindset must have been approaching this game, I would back that it would have been the latter that appeared in England’s first innings in this Test, and based on the situation they found themselves at the time when he would have walked to the crease, well, the match would already be over. Bairstow came out instead and was calm, cool and collected and helped manoeuvre the side back into a fighting chance, and eventually, on par at the end of the first innings. His score of 95 was created supremely and he is certainly looking like a long-term England international if he maintains such composure in the face of adversity.
What I am therefore struggling to comprehend then, is how people can scream for the return of Pietersen when his replacement has, so far, done a more than admirable job. The second argument would be to have them both, in which case you need to remove one of the other batsmen who are more consistent, if maybe not always hitting tons as frequently as KP does. Pietersen is also getting on now; he is reaching the end of his career, although I admit there is still a couple of good years and an Ashes series in him. But does he really want it? Does he want to be there? Or is he now happy with all that he has accomplished? If he is, then he needs to be letting the selectors know, so hungry, passionate individuals can enter the side, like Bairstow and begin to establish themselves into internationals who can be called upon when the big Test series arrive, rather than just experiencing matches against Bangladesh and the like!
So whilst Bairstow establishes himself and earns the respect of his peers, Pietersen is at the other end of the scale, with his text messages potentially damaging not only his reputation but his continued career in the game. Not only has he been critical of the captain, a man whom the majority, if not all, of the squad, are behind; he has potentially delivered damaging information regarding how to dismiss Strauss to the South African bowlers. If this revelation is true, I struggle to comprehend how KP can ever believe he has an international future again. He would be entering a dressing room that is sceptical to the approach they can adopt with him, and whether he is a trustworthy individual. For example, there will be doubts amongst many of the established players as to whether they have also faced criticism from Pietersen in some manner, or if their weaknesses have been divulged to opponents. Pietersen’s acts are just crazy, and how he thought they would ever remain underwraps when we are in the world we are today, is just ludicrous.
As you may have gathered, the media storm that Kevin Pietersen has created and which subsequently follows him around is one I am not an advocate of. Having said that, there are very few sport stars out there who I am willing to be gracious towards in that respect. I wouldn’t mind if his talents were winning England matches every time, but they do not. Yes, every so often he is the saviour once again. But Bell and Cook also do that with the bat; Swann and Anderson with the ball. He is not a stand-out player in that respect, as demonstrated by his golden duck that he accrued for Surrey this weekend. Instead he just craves to be the centre of attention and because of his expansive batting attack, the media salivate over him. Do not get me wrong, I think KP is a talented cricketer, I just believe he is easily influenced and affected by other things around him, which then causes his detrimental performances. What is for certain is that whatever pathway the man decides to take in the next few months will certainly be one to watch, if only to see its impact on the national team’s performances...
Monday 13 August 2012
London 2012: The World's Greatest Ever Show
I write this week’s post with a mixture of the emotions. I am disappointed, deflated and despondent but also filled with a huge sense of joy and pride. The London 2012 Olympics are over, but the performance delivered by our host nation can only be described as spectacular and inspirational. The Games were not just about the athletes, although they will provide the majority of the headlines and fascinating stories demonstrating the hard-craft and will to succeed that are required to be an Olympian. However, the work of the volunteers, otherwise known as Game Makers, has been a perfect example of how the Brits pull together and want others to feel welcome and enjoy their experience. Then there has been the BBC’s coverage, the reactions of athlete’s families and of course, the atmosphere from the crowds, both in the venues and also at the major sites broadcasting as the events unfolded. It was all just incredible, and two weeks which I personally, would happily relive.
Let us not forget there were some serious condemnations of the Games before they kicked off, whilst we had some embarrassing moments even before the Opening Ceremony. The mix up of the Korean flags, and printing a Welshman as an Englishman – both football-based, a sport still subject to uncertainty as to its use in the mega-event, particularly for the men. However, the Opening Ceremony was so quintessentially British that even if the rest of the world did not understand it, the public here went crazy for it! Beckham on a speedboat, Bean playing ‘Chariots of Fire’ (which turned out to be an iconic tune of the Games), and of course, Bond with the Queen. That clip will be seen in decades to come I am sure, it was so unexpected, surreal, yet pure television gold. It was a turning point, and now the public seem to be encapsulated into the unfolding events. If Mark Cavendish had secured a medal the following morning in the road race, then imagine how things would have been even sooner than what they were! The man was so gutted; he had such huge pressure on to deliver, yet to then later show the bravery and class to provide his insight as a pundit once the track cycling began. Can you all recall the panic that was beginning to settle in when it took time before the first gold medal was won? The minor medals were there but not that elusive spot at the top of the podium. Thankfully, the rowers retained their superiority, yet this time, the females got involved too, and the duo of Heather Stanning and Helen Glover, in the end got the ball rolling to a huge total of 29 prestigious British Olympic champions.
Some of those will be memories that stay with people for ever – Andy Murray destroying Roger Federer, Katherine Grainger finally achieving her dream after 12 years of heartbreak, little Jade Jones kicking her way to taekwondo victory, Ben Ainslie securing a fourth gold on the water when at one point it was looking unlikely. There is more too, the team dressage and jumpers in Greenwich Park, Nicola Adams winning the first ever female Olympic boxing medal, Laura Trott, Victoria Pendleton, Jason Kenny in the velodrome. Yet there are three memories which will probably be the abiding ones of the London Games. Last week I spoke about Super Saturday – Rutherford, Ennis and Farah in the Stadium was so mesmerising and astounding with the trio achieving their success in under 45 minutes. Farah then took it to another level this weekend. A double Olympic champion in two of the most demanding events imaginable, he ran 50 laps of the track in just over a week, and ensured that no-one was going to stop him being championing in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Then there was Bradley Wiggins, Olympic champion just days after being crowned the Tour de France winner. In between he also tried to help Cavendish achieve his London 2012 dream. He is hugely expected to be named Sports Personality of the Year for his sumptuous performances. Finally, there is the one and only Sir Chris Hoy who became Britain’s most decorated Olympian ever with two gold medals this time around, after being denied the chance by the international cycling federation to continue his dominance which he provided in Beijing. I was fortunate enough to be in the Olympic Park when he won his final medal, watching on my brother’s phone. Our cries at his success led to others around asking what had happened and it was fabulous sharing the news. The tears on the podium were touching, and then to see him being interviewed on the BBC gantry and cheering his name, which he seemed taken aback by, was a special moment. He videoed us! Someone who has mesmerised us and inspired everyone whilst acting so humble, it just seemed surreal. Is he our greatest Olympian ever? He is certainly a contender.
I could really talk and talk about these past two weeks for ever. Britain did itself proud. And like I said, that is not just regarding the athletes. The great Michael Phelps ended his career with 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold, Usain Bolt smashed the doubters into the bin by achieving the double treble. By then there was Bert Le Clos, an unexpected cult hero, who very much like Yohan Blake, you couldn’t understand a word of, but still managed to put a smile on your face. The story of the games to me was Manteo Mitchell, breaking his leg halfway around his 400m relay leg but continuing and still running a 46 second split. The sound of the crowd as a British athlete was announced was deafening. When I was in the stadium, I loved it, we were so passionate and driven to help our men and women on to success. We were proud of their achievements, and yes not everyone fulfilled their expectations, but so many used it to their advantage, and how, 65 medals! Surpassing everyone’s predictions and expectations! We closed it all with a ceremony that seems to have achieved a mixed reaction but it still showcased British talent, just like the previous 16 days. Yet when the time came for the cauldron to be extinguished, the groans from the crowd were clearly audible. Nobody wanted it to end, it has been like a fairytale, a dream that no-one wanted to ever end. Let us now hope, although I have no doubt, the Paralympics also fill us with pride. Britain, we really are great.
Let us not forget there were some serious condemnations of the Games before they kicked off, whilst we had some embarrassing moments even before the Opening Ceremony. The mix up of the Korean flags, and printing a Welshman as an Englishman – both football-based, a sport still subject to uncertainty as to its use in the mega-event, particularly for the men. However, the Opening Ceremony was so quintessentially British that even if the rest of the world did not understand it, the public here went crazy for it! Beckham on a speedboat, Bean playing ‘Chariots of Fire’ (which turned out to be an iconic tune of the Games), and of course, Bond with the Queen. That clip will be seen in decades to come I am sure, it was so unexpected, surreal, yet pure television gold. It was a turning point, and now the public seem to be encapsulated into the unfolding events. If Mark Cavendish had secured a medal the following morning in the road race, then imagine how things would have been even sooner than what they were! The man was so gutted; he had such huge pressure on to deliver, yet to then later show the bravery and class to provide his insight as a pundit once the track cycling began. Can you all recall the panic that was beginning to settle in when it took time before the first gold medal was won? The minor medals were there but not that elusive spot at the top of the podium. Thankfully, the rowers retained their superiority, yet this time, the females got involved too, and the duo of Heather Stanning and Helen Glover, in the end got the ball rolling to a huge total of 29 prestigious British Olympic champions.
Some of those will be memories that stay with people for ever – Andy Murray destroying Roger Federer, Katherine Grainger finally achieving her dream after 12 years of heartbreak, little Jade Jones kicking her way to taekwondo victory, Ben Ainslie securing a fourth gold on the water when at one point it was looking unlikely. There is more too, the team dressage and jumpers in Greenwich Park, Nicola Adams winning the first ever female Olympic boxing medal, Laura Trott, Victoria Pendleton, Jason Kenny in the velodrome. Yet there are three memories which will probably be the abiding ones of the London Games. Last week I spoke about Super Saturday – Rutherford, Ennis and Farah in the Stadium was so mesmerising and astounding with the trio achieving their success in under 45 minutes. Farah then took it to another level this weekend. A double Olympic champion in two of the most demanding events imaginable, he ran 50 laps of the track in just over a week, and ensured that no-one was going to stop him being championing in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Then there was Bradley Wiggins, Olympic champion just days after being crowned the Tour de France winner. In between he also tried to help Cavendish achieve his London 2012 dream. He is hugely expected to be named Sports Personality of the Year for his sumptuous performances. Finally, there is the one and only Sir Chris Hoy who became Britain’s most decorated Olympian ever with two gold medals this time around, after being denied the chance by the international cycling federation to continue his dominance which he provided in Beijing. I was fortunate enough to be in the Olympic Park when he won his final medal, watching on my brother’s phone. Our cries at his success led to others around asking what had happened and it was fabulous sharing the news. The tears on the podium were touching, and then to see him being interviewed on the BBC gantry and cheering his name, which he seemed taken aback by, was a special moment. He videoed us! Someone who has mesmerised us and inspired everyone whilst acting so humble, it just seemed surreal. Is he our greatest Olympian ever? He is certainly a contender.
I could really talk and talk about these past two weeks for ever. Britain did itself proud. And like I said, that is not just regarding the athletes. The great Michael Phelps ended his career with 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold, Usain Bolt smashed the doubters into the bin by achieving the double treble. By then there was Bert Le Clos, an unexpected cult hero, who very much like Yohan Blake, you couldn’t understand a word of, but still managed to put a smile on your face. The story of the games to me was Manteo Mitchell, breaking his leg halfway around his 400m relay leg but continuing and still running a 46 second split. The sound of the crowd as a British athlete was announced was deafening. When I was in the stadium, I loved it, we were so passionate and driven to help our men and women on to success. We were proud of their achievements, and yes not everyone fulfilled their expectations, but so many used it to their advantage, and how, 65 medals! Surpassing everyone’s predictions and expectations! We closed it all with a ceremony that seems to have achieved a mixed reaction but it still showcased British talent, just like the previous 16 days. Yet when the time came for the cauldron to be extinguished, the groans from the crowd were clearly audible. Nobody wanted it to end, it has been like a fairytale, a dream that no-one wanted to ever end. Let us now hope, although I have no doubt, the Paralympics also fill us with pride. Britain, we really are great.
Sunday 5 August 2012
Sensational 'Super Saturday'
After a month's absence, I return with a million and one topics that I could talk about. The intense but subsequently triumphant victory of Bradley Wiggins at the Tour de France; the quintessentially British opening ceremony to the Olympics; the dramatic slump the English cricketers suffered in the first Test to South Africa; Andy Murray's tears at Wimbledon; even the cheek of QPR and Joey Barton trying to speed up his 12 match ban. Naturally though, this week can only be a discussion on one topic - the Olympics. However, once again, there are choices galore - the cyclists, Michael Phelps, the rowers, including our first gold-medal oarswomen, unexpected bronze's in the judo, Chinese dominance in the diving, American dominance in the pool; London 2012 has produced hundreds of stories already and we are only half-way through the Olympiad.
Last night though was special. 'Super Saturday' is the middle day, where 25 gold medals are up for grabs. I think you would have got great odds if you said Great Britain would win 6 of those, yes 24% of the gold medals were eventually put around British necks. The gold-rush began down at Eton Dorney, where although we always expect to do well in the rowing, for all of our 13 boats to make the final, and for nine to eventually medal, goes above and beyond the expectations set of the team. We had never had a gold-medal oarswomen, this year we have produced six in three different boats. Yesterday's was a shock, as Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland had only teamed up this year but destroyed the field. Their reaction suggesting they had come no better than second before true realisation began to dawn on them. Their success followed our flagship boat, the men's four, winning gold for the fourth successive Olympiad. Team GB rowers have once again underlined ourselves as the number one rowing nation.
After a brief interlude when Andy Murray and Laura Robson took themselves to a mixed doubles final to guarantee Britain two tennis medals this year, eyes then focussed on the velodrome and the women's team pursuit, the only medal up for grabs there on the big day. Facing a USA team who had made the final by shocking Australia, the British girls were not going to take them lightly. In the end they destroyed them. The margin of victory being over 5 seconds, as the trio of Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, smashed their own world record for the sixth successive time in consecutive races. They sped around the track so quickly that they could see their opponents in front of them on the final couple of laps. Another fantastic feat achieved, and with four of the five velodrome medals going to Team GB so far, it is looking like another fantastic Olympics for them.
Then in the evening, the stage was set. The Olympic Stadium was a cacophony of noise as the atmosphere built. This was based predominantly on the work of Jess Ennis over the previous two days in the heptathlon. She had built a practically unassailable lead in the heptathlon. A world best in the 100m hurdles, a personal best in the 200m and javelin, she stood nearly 200 points clear of her nearest competitor. In the end she went out in the 800m determined to take in the adulation of the crowd as she led the majority of the race, eventually kicking down the home straight and winning in style. She was the poster girl of this Olympics and the gorgeous golden girl delivered. As somebody who had tickets to see the women's 100m hurdles on Tuesday, I am disappointed she isn't going to compete then, but why should she? A deserved Olympic champion, and one whom is truly adored by the British public.
Next thing we knew, another gold was in the bag. The men's long jump has been open all year, no-one has taken a decisive grip on the event, which led to murmurs that Greg Rutherford may potentially medal, but nothing more than that. Instead, a jump of 8.31m turned him into the Olympic champion. His interview afterwards with the BBC was fantastic, full of happiness and joy. He has had a tough career, but spurred on by compatriot Chris Tomlinson, who also nearly medalled, he pulled out a majestic leap, that none of his competitors ever looked like matching. A surprising gold in some respects, but once more it caused a huge roar in the stadium, the atmosphere was electric by this point. It was a night to savour, and dreams were unravelling that nobody had contemplated.
The night was technically concluding with the women's 100m final, but to Brits the night would be concluding with the men's 10,000m and whether Mo Farah could upsurge the great Kenenisa Bekele from earning a third consecutive title. The race was a strange one. The noise remained for all 25 laps of the track but the pace fluctuated and nobody seemed to want to take a grip on the race. Those that did ended up doing so by jostling and pushing which only infuriated their fellow runners rather than doing any good, a move very much not in keeping with the Olympic spirit. But Farah just held his nerve and ran his own race, he was always sat in contention, just waiting, knowing he had to time it well. And time it he did, the slower pace of the race was always going to favour his great finish and so it proved. Working with his American training partner they pushed the race up with two laps to go and really opened their legs on the bell. When they came around the final bend, the gap widened and despite the American being in touching distance, nobody was going to stop Mo Farah achieving his dream and completing a wonderful evening and an incredible day for Great Britain in the Olympics.
Super Saturday turned out to be sensational, and easily the best athletics session a British team has ever had at the Olympics. The morale inside Team GB now must be ridiculously high and it looks a certainty that we will beat at least our gold medal total from Beijing, and potentially our medal haul overall. I have seen some football and volleyball this week and the atmosphere was fantastic, even when Britain were not participating. How anyone has ever doubted why this country is hosting the Games, hopefully now, is having their questions being answered. It truly is inspiring stuff so far, and generations should be inspired, just as Lord Coe promised they would be. We will never know the legacy of this Games until five to ten years on, but so far, Britain is certainly feeling Great, and long may it continue!
Last night though was special. 'Super Saturday' is the middle day, where 25 gold medals are up for grabs. I think you would have got great odds if you said Great Britain would win 6 of those, yes 24% of the gold medals were eventually put around British necks. The gold-rush began down at Eton Dorney, where although we always expect to do well in the rowing, for all of our 13 boats to make the final, and for nine to eventually medal, goes above and beyond the expectations set of the team. We had never had a gold-medal oarswomen, this year we have produced six in three different boats. Yesterday's was a shock, as Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland had only teamed up this year but destroyed the field. Their reaction suggesting they had come no better than second before true realisation began to dawn on them. Their success followed our flagship boat, the men's four, winning gold for the fourth successive Olympiad. Team GB rowers have once again underlined ourselves as the number one rowing nation.
After a brief interlude when Andy Murray and Laura Robson took themselves to a mixed doubles final to guarantee Britain two tennis medals this year, eyes then focussed on the velodrome and the women's team pursuit, the only medal up for grabs there on the big day. Facing a USA team who had made the final by shocking Australia, the British girls were not going to take them lightly. In the end they destroyed them. The margin of victory being over 5 seconds, as the trio of Dani King, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, smashed their own world record for the sixth successive time in consecutive races. They sped around the track so quickly that they could see their opponents in front of them on the final couple of laps. Another fantastic feat achieved, and with four of the five velodrome medals going to Team GB so far, it is looking like another fantastic Olympics for them.
Then in the evening, the stage was set. The Olympic Stadium was a cacophony of noise as the atmosphere built. This was based predominantly on the work of Jess Ennis over the previous two days in the heptathlon. She had built a practically unassailable lead in the heptathlon. A world best in the 100m hurdles, a personal best in the 200m and javelin, she stood nearly 200 points clear of her nearest competitor. In the end she went out in the 800m determined to take in the adulation of the crowd as she led the majority of the race, eventually kicking down the home straight and winning in style. She was the poster girl of this Olympics and the gorgeous golden girl delivered. As somebody who had tickets to see the women's 100m hurdles on Tuesday, I am disappointed she isn't going to compete then, but why should she? A deserved Olympic champion, and one whom is truly adored by the British public.
Next thing we knew, another gold was in the bag. The men's long jump has been open all year, no-one has taken a decisive grip on the event, which led to murmurs that Greg Rutherford may potentially medal, but nothing more than that. Instead, a jump of 8.31m turned him into the Olympic champion. His interview afterwards with the BBC was fantastic, full of happiness and joy. He has had a tough career, but spurred on by compatriot Chris Tomlinson, who also nearly medalled, he pulled out a majestic leap, that none of his competitors ever looked like matching. A surprising gold in some respects, but once more it caused a huge roar in the stadium, the atmosphere was electric by this point. It was a night to savour, and dreams were unravelling that nobody had contemplated.
The night was technically concluding with the women's 100m final, but to Brits the night would be concluding with the men's 10,000m and whether Mo Farah could upsurge the great Kenenisa Bekele from earning a third consecutive title. The race was a strange one. The noise remained for all 25 laps of the track but the pace fluctuated and nobody seemed to want to take a grip on the race. Those that did ended up doing so by jostling and pushing which only infuriated their fellow runners rather than doing any good, a move very much not in keeping with the Olympic spirit. But Farah just held his nerve and ran his own race, he was always sat in contention, just waiting, knowing he had to time it well. And time it he did, the slower pace of the race was always going to favour his great finish and so it proved. Working with his American training partner they pushed the race up with two laps to go and really opened their legs on the bell. When they came around the final bend, the gap widened and despite the American being in touching distance, nobody was going to stop Mo Farah achieving his dream and completing a wonderful evening and an incredible day for Great Britain in the Olympics.
Super Saturday turned out to be sensational, and easily the best athletics session a British team has ever had at the Olympics. The morale inside Team GB now must be ridiculously high and it looks a certainty that we will beat at least our gold medal total from Beijing, and potentially our medal haul overall. I have seen some football and volleyball this week and the atmosphere was fantastic, even when Britain were not participating. How anyone has ever doubted why this country is hosting the Games, hopefully now, is having their questions being answered. It truly is inspiring stuff so far, and generations should be inspired, just as Lord Coe promised they would be. We will never know the legacy of this Games until five to ten years on, but so far, Britain is certainly feeling Great, and long may it continue!
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