Seven in a row for Korea: South Korea maintained their remarkable record in women's team archery, winning a seventh consecutive Olympic gold at Lord's. They have triumphed at the competition at every Games since it was added to the schedule in Seoul in 1988 and extended that proud tradition in London. Lee Sung-jin, Ki Bo Bae and Choi Hyeonju defeated Chinese trio Cheng Ming, Fang Yuting and Xu Jing 210-209 in wet conditions reminiscent of those that blighted the gold medal match between the nations in Beijing four years ago.
Ceremony intruder: Olympics organisers blamed an “over-excited” cast member for gatecrashing India’s athletes’ march at the opening ceremony, denying she was a security risk. The appearance of the mysterious woman, smiling and wearing a red top, next to India’s flag-bearer Sushil Kumar at Friday’s ceremony caused consternation among the delegation, who demanded an explanation. Games chief Sebastian Coe said he would speak to the Indian team about the embarrassing incident. But he said the woman, reportedly a student from Bangalore, was one of 7,500 volunteers taking part in the opening ceremony, and was unlikely to pose a risk to security.
Gioli denies slating brits: Italy blocker Simona Gioli (picture) has denied making derogatory comments about Great Britain. Audrey Cooper’s squad are rank outsiders to make an impression in London on what is their Olympic debut and are due to face Italy in Pool A this week. “In our pool I expect tough challenges apart from Great Britain,” Gioli was reported to have said. But the 34-year-old refuted that, offering her praise to the British players. “I have never said anything about Great Britain. I just said I do not know them, just because I have never seen them before.”
Weightlifting record: Kazakhstan’s Zulfiya Chinshanlo set a world record in the clean and jerk as she powered to Olympic gold in the women’s -53kg class yesterday. The two-time world champion, 19, snatched 95kg and then registered a best of 131kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 226kg. Asian champion Hsu Shu-Ching of Taiwan took silver with a total of 219kg (96, 123), on countback from Moldova’s Cristina Iovu, who took bronze with 219kg (99, 120).
Black sticks stun aussies: New Zealand pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over Australia in the opening game of women’s field hockey, a first ever win over their rivals in Games history. New Zealand rode on an early goal from Cathryn Finlayson in the Group B match to secure their landmark triumph. It was the first time the Black Sticks had taken even a point off Australia in the Games, having also lost by at least three goals in the past.
Gymnast caught doping: Uzbek gymnast Luiza Galiulina has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic furosemide. Galiulina underwent a drugs test on July 25, four days before the start of the women’s artistic gymnastics competition. It is the second case of doping at the London Olympics, after Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku tested positive for a banned steroid.
Cancellara TT in doubt: Reigning Olympic time trial cycling champion Fabian Cancellara could be forced to pull out of the Games after crashing during the men’s road race on Saturday. The Swiss slammed hard into a barrier in the 249.5km race. Although he went on to finish the race in 106th place, Cancellara was left with a suspected injured shoulder suggesting ‘Spartacus’ – as the tough Swiss rider is known – could start Wednesday’s race against the clock.
Judoka an strikes gold: An Kum-Ae continued North Korea’s fine record in Olympic women’s judo by winning the under-52kg division yesterday at London’s ExCeL Arena. The 32-year-old went one better than last time out in Beijing as she beat Cuba’s Yanet Bermoy in the final with a counter-attack in the sudden-death golden score period. For Bermoy, 25, it was heartache again as she repeated her result as a 48kg fighter in China four years ago. Italy’s Rosalba Forciniti and France’s Priscilla Gneto won the bronze medals.