Olympics:Britain claimed its first gold medal of London 2012 today, five days since the Games officially began. Helen Glover and Heather Stanning became the first British women to take an Olympic rowing gold in front of an ecstatic crowd at Eton Dorney.
The pari led from the front in a dominant performance which saw the opposition trail in their wake. After crossing the line they hugged each other with joy and then saluted the crowd, which included Princes William and Harry and the Princess Royal.
There are high hopes of more gold later today as Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins aims to cement his position as one of Britain’s greatest-ever sportsmen by winning the men’s road cycling time trial.
Scottish swimmer Michael Jamieson is also in with a chance of a gold after setting a new British record to reach the men’s 200m breaststroke final tonight.
Wiggins, 32, is looking to add to his recent success at the Tour de France, and a podium place in the 44km time-trial around Hampton Court this afternoon would give him a record seventh Olympic medal, one clear of rower Steve Redgrave, who has six.
Chris Froome is also in contention for a medal, while Emma Pooley, aims for the podium in the women’s 29km time trial alongside Lizzie Armitstead, who on Sunday claimed Britain’s first medal of the Games with silver in the road race.
There are also medal chances for the men, with the final of the men’s eight. A win here would be special moment for Greg Searle. The 40-year-old came out of retirement in an attempt to become an Olympic champion for a second time, two decades after winning gold in Barcelona.