Rogge on the defensive: IOC president Jacques Rogge attempted to defuse a rumbling row with Usain Bolt by describing him as “an active performance legend” and the best sprinter of all time. Rogge said last week that Bolt had to do yet more to be regarded as ‘a legend’ sparking an angry reaction from the sprinter. Rogge, who has previously criticised Bolt’s showmanship, appeared to backtrack yesterday. “It is a semantic question but you would say that Usain Bolt is an active performance legend, an icon and the best sprinter of all time.”
After-games role for Coe: British Prime Minister David Cameron appointed London Olympics chief organiser Sebastian Coe as his legacy ambassador for the Games. In his new role, the former middle-distance runner will advise Cameron on how best to secure the long-term benefits of hosting the Games, particularly focusing on the economic and business benefits. Coe, 55, will also advise Cameron on how to maximise the chances of reaching the British government’s target of £13 billion of economic benefit as a result of hosting the Games.
Volleyball thriller: Russia came from two sets down to beat world champions Brazil in a thrilling Olympic men’s volleyball final yesterday. Russia looked down and out at two sets to love and 22-19 down in the third, but with the title in sight, Brazil wilted badly. The South Americans failed to complete an Olympic double a day after their women beat the US to retain their title. It was Brazil’s second defeat in a row in an Olympic final. Italy beat Bulgaria to claim the bronze medal.
Wrestlers turn up late: The Egyptian Olympic team have launched an investigation after two of their wrestlers had to withdraw from the freestyle competition after turning up late at the ExCeL yesterday. Saleh Emara and Abdou Omar Abdou Ahmed were due to take to the mat in the 96kg and 66kg freestyle competition but they arrived at the wrestling hall just after 9 a.m., half an hour after the qualifying session had begun. Qualifying sessions had started at 1 p.m. all week, but the organisers brought the competition forward yesterday due to it being the last day of the Games.
Russia – the rhythmic aces: Before a sea of red, white and blue flags, Russia pursued their merciless dominance of rhythmic gymnastics by claiming their fourth consecutive Olympic group title yesterday. The Russian team posted a score of 57.000 points to finish above Belarus and Italy at London’s Wembley Arena. With Evgenia Kanaeva having successfully defended her title in Saturday’s individual final, Russia have now won every Olympic gold medal in the sport since the start of the 2000 Games in Sydney.