Cycling: Romero fails in bid for second medal

BRITAIN'S bid to dominate the velodrome took a knock today as rower turned cyclist Rebecca Romero missed out on a second medal in the women's point race.

The 28-year-old came 11th in what was only her third points race. Gold was taken by the Netherlands' Marianne Vos.

Romero was unable to replicate yesterday's success, when she became the first British woman to be presented with Olympic medals in two different disciplines.

She won a rowing silver at Athens four years ago, before dramatically deciding to change sport.

The 28-year-old won gold yesterday in track cycling in the individual pursuit.

But Team GB have already enjoyed success today as sailing pair Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield scooped a silver medal in the men's 470 class.

Britain's medal tally now stands at 26 – including 11 golds – on the 10th day of the Games, and the squad is fourth overall.

Speaking after pulling back to secure second place, Rogers said: "We are over the moon. We had a really hard start and to come through is so pleasing. That was the most intense race I have ever been involved in, I'm so pleased."

Great Britain chef de mission Simon Clegg told BBC Radio Five Live that National Lottery funding had helped boost Britain's athletes.

He said: "You need the funding to be able to employ the world's best coaches, to put in place the best system, the best structures, that can be developed."

Remaining Team GB hopefuls today include Chris Hoy, who has his sights set on a third gold.

He is competing in the men's sprint heat, while fellow gold medallist Bradley Wiggins and team-mates, Steven Burke, Edward Clancy, Paul Manning and Geraint Thomas, will go for gold in the men's 4000m team pursuit final.

On the athletics track, Phillips Idowu justified his position as gold-medal favourite in the triple jump qualifying easily for Thursday's final. Team-mate Larry Achike also made it through but Nathan Douglas missed out with a best of 16.72m.

Martyn Rooney and Andrew Steele sailed through to the 400m semi-finals.

Marlon Devonish, Christian Malcolm and Ireland's Paul Hession all made it through the heats of the 200m, but there was disappointment for Alex Nelson who was forced to pull out with a hamstring injury.

Andrew Turner and Allan Scott both ran 13.56s to progress in the 110m hurdles but Zoe Derham failed to qualify for the hammer final with her best throw of 64.74m leaving her 19th in the heat and 67.66m was not enough for Ireland's Eileen O'Keeffe to make the cut either.

Triathlete Hollie Avil, who had been suffering the effects of food poisoning in the build-up, failed to finish the race after pulling up during the cycling leg.

Ireland's Emma Davis finished 37th but was satisfied with her efforts.
World champion Helen Tucker was unable to repeat her feat on the Olympic stage as she finished a disappointing 21st in the women's triathlon.

Sights began to turn towards London 2012 as eight-times gold medal winner Michael Phelps announced he will visit the UK on his way home from China.

The American swimmer will visit an event held in central London on Sunday August 24 to celebrate the handover of the Olympiad from Beijing.
He said: "It will be a great opportunity to celebrate the success of the Beijing Games and kick off the countdown to London 2012."

Phelps set a world record by winning eight golds at the Games and his career total of 14 is the most ever by an Olympian.