Here are some of the highlights for Team GB from today’s action (August 2) at the London 2012 Olympics.
Judo:
It was an emotional day for Team GB’s Gemma Gibbons as she won a fantastic silver medal for Team GB. She sent the crowd into raptures as she stunned France’s world champion Audrey Tcheumeo to reach the Olympic final, going on to be defeated by American Kayla Harrison. Gibbons became Great Britain’s first Olympic judo medallist for 12 years.
Hockey:
Great Britain’s women’s hockey team moved to within a point of qualifying for the semi-finals with a hard-working 3-0 victory over Belgium.
Goals from Ashleigh Ball, Laura Bartlett and Crista Cullen were enough to secure a win despite a late rally by their opponents.
They require only a point against China on Saturday to be sure of a place in the last four and are still on course to top Pool A.
Rowing:
Katherine Copeland and Sophie Hosking eased through their Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls semi-final in fine style earlier today. The pair came from behind to clinch the first, and the fastest, semi-final in 7.05.90 from world champions Greece who finished over three seconds behind in 7.09.01. The final will be on Saturday.
Swimming:
Fran Halsall finished just 0.22 seconds outside the medals in sixth place in the women’s 100-metre Backstroke at the Olympic Aquatics Centre. 22-year-old Southport-born Halsall, who now lives in Loughborough, started strongly in lane seven and looked to be in contention for Bronze at the turn. But she could not find that last burst of speed to force her into the top three.
Rebecca Adlington started the defence of her 800m freestyle title by posting the fastest time in this morning’s heats. Her final is friday evening.
Equestrian:
Day one of the Olympic dressage competition went to script for Britain’s riders. Carl Hester, competing in his fourth Olympics, and Laura Bechtolsheimer rode today finishing with a final total of 76.839% giving them second overall. The competition continues tommorrow.
Track cycling:
Victoria Pendleton’s bid to win three Olympic medals at London 2012 got off to the worst possible start today as she was disqualified, along with team mate Jess Varnish, in the team sprint event on the opening day of the track cycling.
After a qualifying round that saw the world record broken twice in quick succession – first by Great Britain and then immediately after by China – GB were drawn against Ukraine in the first round.
Continuing the lightning form they’d shown earlier, Pendleton and Varnish appeared to have a blistering ride which saw them beat Ukraine, and finish in 32.567 – the fastest time of the round so far, with just China and Venezuela to race.
But just moments after finishing it was announced there was to be a judges enquiry. Whilst British Cycling director Dave Brailsford held a lengthy discussion with the judges, the final race of the round was held – China coming out on top in 32.422 (breaking their own world record set in qualifying).
Sadly the event ended in disqualifaction the the British pair and see the end of the games for Jess Varnish.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
