Plenty happening from an Irish perspective today. We have plenty of time before we kick off but here's a taste of what's on the way.
Going into these games, it was presumed that Katie Taylor would be our leading lady. And the Bray Bomber remains a massive hope. But now, everybody is raving about Annalise Murphy. Her performances at the world championships and the recent regatta at the Olympic venue in Weymouth when she was third, marked the likeable Rathfarnham women out as a medal prospect. But four wins from four? No-one dreams of that. They way sailing works though, with double points in the medal race, there is a way to go for the 22-year-old yet. The Laser Radial performer is scheduled to get the first of her two races under way at 12 (noon).
Staying with Sailing, James Espey will have the first of his two races in the men's Laser at 12.10pm, while Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern - in the sprinting 49er class - continue their medal chase, starting at the same time as Annalise, 12 noon.
Across the water, it's all Wiggo, Mod t-shirts and outrageous locks, with the Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins expected to provide the hosts with their first Gold in the men's time trial. Veteran, David McCann will represent Ireland at 2.25pm.
Eoin Rheinisch may be ranked 57th in the world in canoe slalom but that was never a true reflection of his standing, given the shoulder injuries he has had. Remember, he was fourth in Beijing and is attending his third Olympics. He qualified for the semi-finals comfortably and is due to get going a 1.39pm. The top 10 of 15 will progress to the final.
John Joe Nevin has probably been the most eye-catching of the boxers so far but confidence and style have always been the Mullingar man's hallmark. He goes up against Kazakhstan's Kanat Abutalipov at 2pm.
And that is it. Meanwhile, please feel free to ask questions, make observations or ask questions. Call me a fool or a genius. We can talk about Phelps or the badminton players trying to throw a game last night. I have my own views on that and I'm not going along with the prevailing 'shock, horror' reactions. Swimming on right now but I'll be back in about an hour to build up to the sailors. It's actually going to be pretty much non-stop from then on but let's do it together!
While we wait for Annalise Murphy's Laser Radial Race 5 and thh Men's 49er Race 5, both of which get under way at noon, any thoughts on the greatest Olympian of all time? Is it Michael Phelps now by virtue of his record haul of medals? I have to say, I find Steve Redgrave's achievements staggering.
I know he only has a mere 10 medals, nine of them gold, but Carl Lewis must be at least on a par with Phelps.
I would agree Pete because he did it over a longer period of time. For me, winning a gold medal at five consecutive Olympic Games was sensational by Redgrave. Doing that, Redgrave demonstrated his ability over a sustained period - 16 years, in a discipline that's renowned for its physical torture.
Can't ignore that Daragh, Redgrave's endurance must be the greatest ever, but Lewis had some pretty phenomenal opposition to overcome. Ben Johnson was around and I think there were one or two Americans and Jamaicans on the scene who were pretty special too.
Sprinting was brilliant at that time, Frankie Fredericks was there as well as the usual Americans/Jamaicans. He was remarkably consistent and won the long jump at four Olympics.
On a slightly different tack, do you think Usain Bolt deserves to be recognised as one of the greatest Olympians as he is in some circles? He has only been in one Olympics and at this one, there are others catching up and even beating him in the lead-up. I still think it is too early, but you can't deny he has brought some style to the sprints and taken its popularity to another level.
Much too early Pete. As standout performances, the 100m and even more so, the 200m finals four years ago were remarkable. Michael Johnson was blown away by Bolt's bend in the 200m final. But it's one Olympics. On the formbook, you'd say that Yohan Blake will beat him. If Bolt produces the goods though, it will show that he's a champion. He is a tremendous personality, a breath of fresh air.
After plenty disappointments, the honour of getting GB's first gold medal at the Games goes to Heather Stanning and Helen Glover in the coxless pair. They opened a massive lead and are definitely tiring but had enough to hold on from Australia and New Zealand.
@Denis That's great news. The more wind the better for all our sailors. It's what they're accustomed to. Just like our golfers (apart from Rory).
Clean start for the 49ers.
@Denis BBC saying Laser Radial first race has been postponed with wind increasing from nine to 15 knots shifting to the right?
There will be a course change for the Laser Radial so Annalise Murphy will hopefully get under way in the next 30 minutes or so. No word on how Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern are doing so far in the 49er. They started the day in sixth overall.
Ireland's 49ers are 15th after mark 2 in race 5. Seaton and McGovern are 50 seconds behind the leaders.
@Ger I think Beijing raised the expectations for Team GB. They should get something from a certain Mr Wiggins today in the cycling.
France, Australia, USA 1-2-3 in 49er so far
Laser Radials have just started
@Ger Agreed Ger. Do you think our own David McCann has a chance of a podium finish?
Team Ireland's Seaton and McGovern lie 14th in race 1.
I cannot see Wiggins being beaten. I do think the scheduling has been harsh on the cyclists... having the road race a week after the Tour de France! But that applies for them all. Hopefully David can put up a good performance. But a podium finish would be a surprise.
They've had two false starts in Laser Radials. Third now and there are threats of disqualification if they go too early here.
I think the 49er lads need a top 10 finish in this race at least to have any chance.
#TeamIreland 44th in the medal table this morning, sandwiched between Iraq and Israel #London2012by GarryIrwin via twitter 8/1/2012 10:54:27 AM
@Annalise_Murphy Best Of Luck today! :D Youre doing greaat! #TeamIreland
Wind howling in Weymouth atr the start of @Annalise_Murphy 5th race in the laser class at #olympics2012 #london2012 #teamirelandby DenisCrowley via twitter 8/1/2012 10:58:28 AM
Selling a lot more books on the Olympics at the moment-bet the books on sailing will start flying out now! #Olympic2012 #TeamIrelandby KennysBookshop via twitter 8/1/2012 11:05:48 AM
Good Luck to the #teamireland sailors today ! #irishweather @Annalise_Murphy @Irish49er @James_EspeyIRL #london2012 #comeonirelandby eileeshb via twitter 8/1/2012 11:05:56 AM
Expecting great stuff from Team Ireland today. Err. It should be plain sailing etc. #TeamIreland #Sailing #Winningby bluredfrank via twitter 8/1/2012 11:14:14 AM
@Annalise_Murphy hope you get going soon. Good luck!! #teamirelandby ShaneKReynolds via twitter 8/1/2012 11:17:55 AM
