Yes it is amazing when you look at Atlanta, where Michael Johnson won more gold medals than the entire British team. In fact the last time Britain did this well at consecutive Olympiads, most of the worlds population weren't involved. I think Brendan Forster and Steve Cram covered it well in the marathon commentary this morning, the lottery funding has made a big difference, but linked to this there has also been a big shake up in governance across the governing bodies of many Olympic sports. Failure is now not tolerated. You don't get medals, you don't get money. When you look at what British rowing has achieved and stand amazed at what British cycling continues to achieve (our position in that sport is basically the equivalent of the dominance the Spanish have had in football), you just wonder what we could achieve if the FA (or the LTA) got a proper rocket up their collective backsides...
Commentator says to Ben Ainslie, "Your are the greatest Olympic sailor ever", Bens response "Er, thanks mate"! Modest or what?
A mate of mine announced only last month, when we were following Ben around the Island that, Ben Ainslie's just a Dinghy Sailor. I know why he said it, because I started out as a dinghy sailor, and my mate is a dyed-in-the-wool keelboat sailor. Well, let me tell you. The fastest modern sailors always learn their craft as dinghy sailors because they have to look at every tiny little advantage and make sure you are sailing perfectly. Any lack of perfection in a small planing boat will show up in a lack of knots. Ben Ainslie has shown how close you can get to perfection. I can take my BenandRita badge off now.
Until a month ago, I was struggling to see Murray ever winning a grand slam. But his performance at Wimbledon (coupled in part with Nadal and Novak's defeats) made me believe that the US Open this month could be his time. This week is just reinforcing that view. He finally looks on a par with Nadal and Novak.
Yeah, same here. I try to be interested, but the sheer repetitive nature of it gets to me eventually. Having said that, come on Andy..!
Pendleton has just cruised through her Sprint heat, looking brilliant, as usual. BTW, did anyone else realise that last night's Women's Pursuit Gold medal team included Dani King, from Barton Peveril College. Born in Southampton. Good going girl. If you catch a replay, she's the one with the huge smile as they hunt down the opposition.
This should be a message to all those who say Murray is not good enough. He didn't just beat Federer today, he took him to pieces over five sets in a match Federer was desperate to win.
