Olympics 2012: Live Report

1138 GMT: Let's hear about the WATER POLO. Croatia chalked up their fifth win out of five by thrashing -- or should that be splashing -- Kazakhstan with a 12-4 score.

1134 GMT: It'll be China versus Japan in tomorrow's women's team TABLE TENNIS final after China beat South Korea and Japan downed Singapore, both in straight sets, in this morning's semi-finals.

1129 GMT: More from Bolt: "Definitely the trials woke me up. Yohan gave me a wake-up call.

"He knocked on my door and said 'Usain, this is Olympic year, wake up' so I'm happy and I'm grateful for that moment because after that I refocused and I got my head together."

1122 GMT: Usain Bolt has today told Jamaican team-mate Yohan "The Beast" Blake he has no chance in the London Olympic 200m even though Bolt's training partner was the big man's closest rival in last night's high speed 100m.

Blake won the world 100m title last year after Bolt was disqualified for a false start and beat Bolt in both the 100m and 200m at the Jamaican Olympic trials.

But Bolt says "I'm not going to let him beat me again. I've said that to him already."

Only a 200m victory, he says, willl cement his claim to "greatest" status. "I think I have to wait until the 200m and then my fans have got to say 'yes he is' and me has got to say 'yes he is' so I'm never going to say I'm the greatest until after my 200m," Bolt asserted.

1109 GMT: AFP's Pirate Irwin has been delving into the background of ATHLETICS 10,000m winner Mo Farah of Team GB.

Born in war-torn Somalia, Farah came to England aged eight after being brought up in Djibouti.

Farah praises two major influences in particular: school sports teacher Alan Watkinson and British runner Paula Radcliffe.

Watkinson spotted his athletics potential and Radcliffe paid for driving lessons so he could drive out to training at Windsor, Farah revealed, according to Irwin.

What a shame Radcliffe had to scrap plans in yesterday's women's marathon because of a foot problem.

Farah is expected to go for a second in Saturday's men's 5,000m final.

1101 GMT: Another disappointed group are the Australian SWIMMING squad. Swimming Australia president David Urquhart has announced a review after the much-heralded team won just one gold medal, with six silver and three bronze in the pool in London -- their lowest tally since Barcelona in 1992.

They were also without an individual gold medallist for the first time since the 1976 Montreal Games as the sole gold came in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay.

"We must do everything possible to get Australian swimming back on top," Urquhart says. "This is not a time for blame and scape-goating, this is an opportunity to make the changes required to rise to the international challenge."

1054 GMT: India HOCKEY coach Michael Nobbs has apologised today for his team's embarrassing Olympic performances, admitting they have let down the entire nation.

The eight-time Olympic champions have lost all four of their preliminary round matches in London and are in danger of finishing last in the 12-team tournament.

"They've let themselves down, they've let us down, and they've let the Indian people down too, and I apologise for that because it's something we've got to fix," Nobbs says.

1051 GMT: Just a bit more about Isinbayeva, ahead of her big moment tonight:

She has suffered some bitter defeats during the last three seasons, failing to record a height in a tear-stained 2009 world championships in Berlin and coming just sixth in last year's worlds in South Korea.

However, the 30-year-old world record holder sailed through qualification at the London Olympics, needing only two vaults to secure safe passage to the final.

1048 GMT: AFP's Tom Williams has taken his seat ready to report on the GYMNASTICS competition. He tweets:

"To the O2 again, to see if Britain's Beth Tweddle can complete her medal collection with an Olympic honour. She's in the uneven bars final."

1042 GMT: In theory at least, Russian legend Yelena Isinbayeva should cruise to the ATHLETICS pole vault gold tonight after world champion Fabiana Murer and Svetlana Feofanova, who won silver in Athens and bronze in Beijing, all failed to qualify for the final.

"I jumped well, but the weather was difficult for pole vaulting," the double gold medallist said of the swirling winds inside the Olympic Stadium after Saturday's qualifying.

1039 GMT: FOOTBALL is another sport reaching a decisive stage. The women's football finalists will be decided when World Cup winners Japan tackle France at Wembley this evening and defending champions the United States meet Canada at Old Trafford.

1031 GMT: No problem in the men's 800m heats for world record holder and favourite David Rudisha, as the Kenyan wins the race easily.

1022 GMT: Mind you, in the men's 400m on the flat, defending champion LaShawn Merritt has done even worse, failing to make it out of the heats.

Grenada's world champion Kirani James will be amongst the favourites for that final tonight, though Puerto Rico's Javier Culson remains the man to beat.

1018 GMT: At least, Jackson is right to be fearful about fellow Welshman Dai Greene's prospects in tonight's 400m hurdles, final after the world champion finished fourth in his semi-final.

1011 GMT: After the 'What's-his-name' gaffe, ATHLETICS TV analyst Colin Jackson tries to say something more sensible on Twitter. I'm not sure he's succeeded:

Colin R Jackson?@crj22ster "I am dreading 400mh final for the men, and @DaiGreene running.. My voice will be gone!! I am loving #London2012 can we have a London2013!"

1002 GMT: AFP's Parul Gupta managed to get tickets for yesterday's TENNIS men's singles bronze medal match on Wimbledon Court Number One between Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina and Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

After Del Potro's 7-5, 6-4 victory, Parul and a friend try to battle their way onto Henman Hill to see the gold medal match between Scotland's Andy Murray and Swiss legend Roger Federer. Here's what happens:

"Murray is leading 6-2, 6-1, and dozens of people have lined up to get to the hill, but the volunteers will not let any more people in for 'health and safety reasons'. Tempers rise, with some people shouting at the volunteers. The hill is overflowing with people. One cameraperson has returned, saying he could not shoot anything.

"Finally, it's all over. Some people have started to leave after Murray wins in straight sets. We finally manage to get in. Standing on my toes, I just about manage to get a glimpse of the big screen showing Murray getting the gold medal. My friend manages to finally get a table, so we can watch Murray and Laura Robson play mixed doubles.

"Murray-Robson have to settle for silver, but the crowds don't seem to be so disappointed. Britain has already won the gold.

"The fans just can't have enough of Murray draped in the British flag. A few ardent fans hang around for a closer glimpse of the man of the moment. Murray returns to the ground once again; there's a mad scramble for him. My friend's niece is among the lucky children to get his autograph."

0953 GMT: Team GB seems less than hopeful about Tiffany Porter's 100m hurdles prospects: 'Porter through but doubts persist'

0946 GMT: In the ATHLETICS women's shot put, New Zealand's defending world and Olympic champion Valerie Adams is the big favourite.

However, it emerged today that Adams' dream was almost shattered by blundering officials who forgot to put her name on the entry list.

"The matter was dealt with swiftly and has been fully resolved," says a New Zealand Olympic committee spokesman.

0940 GMT: At the BASKETBALL, Patrick Mills hits a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Australia an 82-80 victory over previously undefeated Russia, Jim Slater reports.

Mills is mobbed by his teammates as the crowd explodes in a huge cheer. Boomers (the Aussies) wave their thanks to crowd after it's over.

Slater says: "The outcome doesn't change anything in medal playoff picture. Russia had already clinched top seed in Group B. Aussies still 4th. But they are happy!!"

0937 GMT: Pearson praises the enthusiam of this morning's spectators in the Olympic Stadium.

"It's nice to have support from the crowd, especially when you are on the other side of the world," the Australian said.

0933 GMT: Back in ATHLETICS, women's 100m hurdles favourite Sally Pearson, the Beijing silver medallist, wins her heat by several metres in 12.57 seconds.

0930 GMT: AFP's Jim Slater checks in from the BASKETBALL court: "Unbeaten Russia will need a late comeback to finish off Australia. The Aussie Boomers are up 77-72 with 4:18 to play...

"Fans are just singing the last couple of verses of Wonderwall."

0927 GMT: Blade runner ATHLETE ?@OscarPistorius tweets: "I woke up this morning overwhelmed by the 1000's of messages of well wishes. Thank You for making this 1 of the Greatest moments of my life!"

The South African double amputee who runs on carbon fibre blades made it through to yesterday's 100m semi-finals before being eliminated.

0920 GMT: In TABLE TENNIS, China and South Korea are battling at the ExCel centre for a place in the women's final. Japan and Singapore meet later in the day to contest the other place in Tuesday's final.

0912 GMT: Controversial American-born 100m hurdler Tiffany Porter, now competing for am GB, allays fitness fears by making it through her first round heat in third place.

"I was nervous. I'm glad it's all over and I can progress to the next round. I'm exited," she says.

Porter had made a tearful exit at the Diamond League meeting at London's Crystal Palace last month after finishing last in her heat, citing an unspecified fitness problem.

0908 GMT: In ATHLETICS, in addition to the women's pole vault, there will be gold medals for the women's shot put, the women's 3,000m steeplechase, the men's 400m hurdles and the men's 400m on the flat.

0904 GMT: In case you were wondering, the eight sports awarding gold medals today are ATHLETICS, CYCLING, EQUESTRIANISM, GYMNASTICS, SAILING, SHOOTING, WEIGHTLIFTING and WRESTLING. So watch out for results from those.

0855 GMT: BASKETBALL men's Group B leaders Russia are already on court against Australia but you'll have to wait until 10.15 pm tonight UK time to watch the Americans as that is the time they are scheduled to meet Argentina.

0846 GMT: On the last day of SHOOTING at the Royal Artillery Barracks, firing is taking place in the men's 50m rifle three positions and the men's trap.

At the BASKETBALL arena it is the last day of preliminary matches in the all-star men's event.

0837 GMT: Action is underway too in HANDBALL, where Serbia and Hungary are playing in a match that will decide the last two quarter-final berths.

At Eton Dorney, defending men's singles KAYAK champion Tim Brabants of Britain could only manage fifth place in his heat but did qualify for the semi-finals.

0828 GMT: Just going back to the HOCKEY. The Olympic tournament has produced some highly skillful performances in both the men's and women's tournaments. Let's hope it raises the global profile of so-called 'field' hockey, which lives in the perpetual shadow of its icy brother sport.

0824 GMT: Most embarrassing moment of the Olympics so far: Colin Jackson's televised cry during the 100m final: "Here he comes, what's-his-name. The big man's coming through." The BBC TV analyst and former 110m hurdles world champion will be red faced about that one for a long time.

0815 GMT: What a day of drama it was yesterday. The star ATHLETICS performance was Bolt's triumph over the doubters with his clear victory over his rivals even though the top seven runners clocked times under 10 seconds - an unprecedented achievement.

Then there was Andy Murray. The Scotsman's TENNIS gold medal victory over Roger Federer would on its own have made it a great sporting day, as Murray took revenge for his Swiss rival's victory in the Wimbledon final a month earlier.

And Murray didn't stop there. He returned to court shortly afterwards with British youngster Laura Robson to fight a gritty battle in the Olympic mixed doubles final, though in the end they had to settle for silver.

Will today be as gripping? Let's hope so.

0811 GMT: Women's HOCKEY is already underway between New Zealand and Germany at the Riverbank Arena. Take your sunglasses if you have hockey tickets. I had the privilege of seeing a couple of matches there the other day and the blue artificial turf pitch is glaringly bright even in the rain - or maybe especially in the rain.

0805 GMT: Some highlights to look forward to today:

+ Russian pole vault legend Yelenya Isinbayeva bids for a third Olympic gold medal

+ Puerto Rico's Javier Culson, undefeated in 2012, is favourite for the men's 400m

+ Britain's Jason Kenny and Frenchman Gregory Bauge are set to duel in men's track cycling sprint

+ Three-time world champion Beth Tweddle flies the flag for Britain in the gymnastics uneven bars final

+ A total of 18 gold medals will be won across eight sports

WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on Olympic "Medals Monday", with golds up for grabs in five events in athletics at the Olympic Stadium and in array of other sports around the Olympic Park and at other venues across southern England.

Usain Bolt hogged the limelight last night with his sensational run to retain his 100m title, in the wake of "Super Saturday" when Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford won for Britain in the Olympic Stadium to lift the host nation to six gold medals in a single day.

But another glut of thrills and spills is absolutely certain today, so stick with us for all the live action as it happens.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/olympics-2012-live-report-075221940--oly.html

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