Olympics 2012: Live Report

2319 GMT: That's it for our AFP Live Report on Thursday, August 2. There's plenty more to come tomorrow, including Michael Phelps' last ever individual final, so be sure to tune in then, and thanks for reading today!

2308 GMT: And in our final recap of yet another jaw-dropping day at London 2012, we've seen:

+ Team USA's men's basketball team set a new Olympic record for the most points scored in a game;

+ Swimmer Michael Phelps beat his long-time rival and teammate Ryan Lochte to win his 16th gold and 20th Olympic medal in the 200m individual medley;

+ China's Zhang Jike become the first male player in history to win successive World Championship and Olympic titles with a table tennis gold medal.

2304 GMT: The tweet of the day is a teasing comment from top golfer Bubba Watson, who shot a 66 today at the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. He tweeted: "Nice to get off to a good start with a 66. Got 3 more days & need 3 more great rounds! #MichaelPhelpsStillCantGolf @MichaelPhelps"

Well, Phelps is retiring... and everyone knows that when you retire, you take up golf.

2303 GMT: The Live Report's photo of the day shows Michael Phelps quietly raising three fingers as he wins the men's 200m individual medley for the third Olympics running.

2251 GMT: The US wins the game 156-73, a new Olympic record for the most points scored in one game. Jim Slater tells us: "Andre Iguodala sank the record-breaking 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the US squad 139 points."

2248 GMT: Jim Slater tells us this is a "historic rout". The all-time record Olympic one-game point total was 138 points, set by Brazil in 1988. The US broke that record in the fourth quarter tonight -- wilth plenty more time to score.

It's 119-62 USA thru third quarter. Historic rout in the making. All-time record Olympic one-game point total in 138 by Brazil from 1988.

2234 GMT: BASKETBALL: It's the start of the fourth quarter at the US vs Nigeria game and the score is 119-62 to the US.

2231 GMT: SWIMMING: Michael Phelps -- reiterating that the London Games will be his last -- has spoken about his long rivalry with Ryan Lochte.

"He has brought the best out of me many times," Phelps said. "We leave it all in the pool when we race... Ryan, Laszlo (Cseh, who took silver in the 200m IM) and I have raced each other many times, and it was nice to share the podium with them."

As for the end of his career, Phelps -- who swims his last individual final on Friday, and last team final on Sunday -- said: "I think when it is all over it will hit me emotionally... There will be no more competitive swimming after Sunday."

2223 GMT: The third quarter has started and for perhaps the first time ever, a Team USA basketball game has been compared to an England rugby game. Jim tells us: "Second half underway, so quiet at times you can hear the sneakers squeak on the court. True loud applause being reserved for spectacular plays, slam dunks.

"It's like a crowd at Twickenham awaiting a rugby conversion kick for England. Roar one moment. Silence the next."

But Carmelo Anthony is having a good game at least -- he just broke the record for the most points for an American at an Olympic game with 37 points in the 3rd quarter.

2209 GMT: Even the cheerleaders don't seem to be able to perk up the crowd. Jim tells us the lights in the arena have been turned off for the half-time show. "They bring out lots of acts for the show and turn the music volume up to way too high," he says, adding that it's "like an NBA half-time or between breaks show on speed dial".

2204 GMT: The US are making history on the court tonight. Jim Slater tells us that Team USA are "31-of-46 from the field, including 14-of-24 from 3-point range. That's an all-time US Olympic record and it was done in one half."

"It's shooting practice," he continues. "A lot of teams don't get 78 in a game."

Jim says the US got the one-game Olympic team record for 3-pointers when Deron Williams connected with 1:35 to play in the second quarter to make it 78-41.

The old mark was also set by the US, durin their 2008 final against Spain in Beijing.

2257 GMT: BASKETBALL: Are the Americans so good they are actually taking the fun out of it all? AFP's Jim Slater, watching the game, tells us: "It's a shooting clinic for the Americans, who have scored so much the crowd is oddly quiet. Many USA flags but all along railings."

He adds that the US is on pace to shatter the record one-game point record of 133 against China from 1996.

Jim says: "USA is 12-of-19 from 3-point range. Their one-game record of 13 3-pointers from a win over Spain in 2008 final is almost certainly going to fall, maybe before halftime."

He adds that the US "has made it clear to Nigeria that they can have some baskets but there aren't going to be any heroic defensive stands and comebacks tonight. Message sent and delivered."

As we reach halftime, the score is 78-45 to the US.

2126 GMT: SWIMMING: Ryan Lochte has ruled himself out of an appearance in the men's 4x100m relay, saying: "I am done now... I have a birthday tomorrow and this is the first time in a couple of years where I have one and I don't have to swim."

Lochte, who turns 28 tomorrow, said he had enjoyed racing teammates Phelps and Tyler Clary, and that he did not regret attempting to swim two finals in one night.

"It was hard, but I knew I was capable of doing the double," he said. "I can't be too disappointed, I am coming home with five Olympic medals and that is something to be proud of."

"I am happy," Lochte said as he looked forward to hanging out with his family on his birthday. "I just go with the flow and whatever happens, happens."

2141 GMT: Going in to the second quarter the score is 49-25 to the US. Nigeria are fighting, but this is not encouraging so far.

2133 GMT: Nigeria has a bit of work to do here. We have 2min left in the first quarter and the score stands at 38-15 to the US.

2122 GMT: BASKETBALL: The men's basketball US vs Nigeria match has begun.

2102 GMT: CYCLING: British cyclist Philip Hindes -- who had to restart his race today after crashing (see 1539 GMT) -- has admitted that he went down on purpose, bending the rules to the extreme.

Hindes' front wheel skidded only seconds after he left the start gate with Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy on his wheel. Facing the prospect of losing just a fraction of a second to his rivals, Hindes decided on some remedial action.

"So I crashed, I did it on purpose just to get the restart, just to have the fastest ride. It was all planned really," said Hindes.

In track cycling the rules dictate that in the event of an early crash, teams can restart their race and the International Cycling Union, when contacted by AFP, said the result would stand.

2054 GMT: Not long enough, however, as Spain wins the game -- but it was incredibly close, at 79-78. The court is clearing now in preparation for the US vs Nigeria game, which is coming up next. The teams are warming up.

2045 GMT: BASKETBALL: Just 39.4 seconds to go now and the score is still 73-69 to Spain -- but nearly 40 seconds is a long time in basketball...

2040 GMT: FENCING: ITALY WINS FOIL TEAM GOLD

2033 GMT: BASKETBALL: Time to check in on Great Britain's men's team, who are playing Spain in the popular basketball arena tonight. In the 4th quarter with 5min 15 seconds to go, the score stands at 64-55 to Spain.

2014 GMT: Le Clos has won his semi, and that's it for another historic night at the Aquatics Centre. There's plenty still to come elsewhere tonight, however, wih New Zeland starting their field hockey match against Argentina and the US "Dream Team" of NBA millionaires taking on Nigeria.

2004 GMT: And Phelps has won the heat. Well on his way to his 17th gold medal, nearly a full second ahead of his nearest competitor.

Phelps stops to talk to the BBC and admits with a grin that he's "tired".

Now he is smiling from ear to ear as he talks about his phone call from President Barack Obama -- and, he adds, "Ryan and I have had some pretty cool tweets from people the last couple of days".

The second semi-final is about to start, with South Africa's Chad Le Clos swimming. It's the last race of the night.

2002 GMT: No rest for the weary! Michael Phelps has walked out on pool deck for yet another race, just minutes after the 200m IM. This time it's the men's 100m butterfly -- for which he holds both the Olympic and the world records.

1954 GMT: Phelps nudges Lochte and points, grinning, as they walk away from the podium -- and Lochte looks up to see two zealous fans waving what appear to be two giant cut-outs of his smiling face.

1950 GMT: The men's 200m IM medals are being awarded and Phelps already has one foot on the podium as the bronze medal is awarded to Cseh of Hungary. Surely that's a faux pas?

He looks emotional, however, as he steps up on the podium properly to receive his 16th gold medal, finally breaking into an almost sheepish smile at the roar from the crowd.

With the anthem playing, he almost looks out of breath -- and are those tears in his eyes?

1946 GMT: Ranomi Kromowidjojo took the 100m gold in a new Olympic record of 53 seconds flat. From Robert Smith: "Dutch flyer Ranomi Kromowidjojo has won the women's 100m freestyle from go to whoa.

"Kromowidjojo, the year's fastest swimmer, clocked 53.00secs to win gold from Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus and China's Tang Yi."

1945 GMT: THE NETHERLANDS WINS WOMEN'S 100m FREESTYLE GOLD

1942 GMT: It's time for the last medal event of the evening, the women's 100m freestyle final.

1939 GMT: Lochte, gold or no gold, is still wearing his trademark teeth "grill" up there on the podium.

1932 GMT: Robert Smith has more information for us from the Aquatics Centre: "Michael Phelps has become the first man to win the same indiviual swimming event at three straight Olympics with a brilliant victory in the 200m individual medley final over his great American rival Ryan Lochte.

"Phelps has now won the 200m medley title at the last three Olympics and his time of 1:54.27 was just 27-100ths of a second outside Lochte's world record.

"It's Phelps' 16th Olympic gold medal and 20th medal overall and it was loudly received by the big crowd, who let out a huge roar as he hit the wall.

"Hungarian Laszlo Cseh took the bronze medal."

Lochte, meanwhile, has gone straight from the pool after the IM to receive his backstroke bronze medal. He looks serious -- but throws the crowd a grin as he steps on the podium and they reward him with cheers.

1928 GMT: Phelps is now swimming down in the diving pool -- which is unusual. Lochte also had a swimdown in between the backstroke and the IM, but normally the swimmers are not allowed to cool down in the diving pool and no other swimmer appears to have done so yet.

1925 GMT: Lochte was right behind Phelps to take the silver.

1925 GMT: AMERICA'S MICHAEL PHELPS WINS MEN'S 200m IM GOLD -- his 20th Olympic medal.

1920 GMT: Here we go -- the men's 200m individual medley final. Huge cheer for Michael Phelps as he walks on to the pool deck... and Lochte is right behind him. Let's see if he can shake his 200m backstroke off. He looks grim.

1918 GMT: Meanwhile Soni can't stop smiling as she accepts her gold medal. She said: "It has been my goal since I was a little girl to swim under 2.20, my coach told me I could be the first woman to swim 2.19 and I have been chasing it ever since and I am just so happy."

1908 GMT: More good news for the American team, with Robert saying: "Americans Elizabeth Beisel and teenager Missy Franklin are into the final of the women's 200m backstroke final after impressive heat victories.

"Beisel finished with the fastest time of 2:06.18, some 0.66secs quicker than 17-year-old Franklin, who is chasing the backstroke double at the Games after earlier winning the 100m event.

"Australian Meagen Nay was third-fastest with Zimbabwe's two-time Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry the sixth fastest."

1859 GMT: Robert Smith tells us Clary has "caused a boilover" with his win. He says: "Clary set an Olympic record of 1:53.41 to win gold from Japan's Ryosuke Irie with Lochte taking the bronze and stunning the sellout crowd at the Aquatics Centre.

"Lochte was a hot favourite to take gold as the Olympic and world champion in the event."

Lochte still has the 200m individual medley final to come -- and he has just half an hour to rest for it. He had the psychological advantage in it, having already beaten teammate Michael Phelps in the 400m IM earlier in the week - but how much of that advantage has he just lost along with his Olympic 200m backstroke record?

1853 GMT: US WINS MEN'S 200m BACKSTROKE GOLD -- but in a shock upset it's Lochte's teammate Tyler Clary who touched first, with Lochte finishing in third place behind Japan's Ryosuke Irie.

1850 GMT: The men's 200m backstroke is about to begin. Huge cheers for America's Ryan Lochte as he walks on to the pool deck.

1845 GMT: US WINS WOMEN'S 200m BREASTROKE GOLD: History has just been made in the pool, with the US's Rebecca Soni becoming the first woman to break the 2:20 barrier in the 200m breastroke, setting a new world record at 2:19.59.

This is the sixth world record of the meet, and Soni's second in two days.

Japan's Satomi Suzuki took silver and Russian Yuliyia Efimova earned bronze.

1838 GMT: The second heat has just been swum -- and, sure enough, the Missile has not qualified for the men's 50m freestyle final.

Robert Smith adds: "Cielo and Jones qualified fastest into Friday's final after the second heat won by Brazil's Bruno Fratus.

"Fratus clocked 21.63secs in beating Trinidad's George Bovell, while James Magnussen missed out on the final with the 11th fastest time overall, ending his individual swims at the Olympics."

So much for Magnussen's hopes of glory.

1835 GMT: The swimming has begun -- and James "The Missile" Magnussen's rocky Olympics continues. AFP's Robert Smith tells us: "Brazilian world record holder Cesar Cielo dead-heated with American Cullen Jones in the opening semi-final of the men's 50m freestyle. Both hit the wall in 21.54secs ahead of American Anthony Ervin -- with Australia's James Magnussen in danger of missing Thursday's final in 6th spot."

1828 GMT: British swimmer Rebecca Adlington has added her congratulations to Johnson, tweeting: "Yes SOOOO happy for @chrishoy 5th gold medal!!! Unbelievable athlete + person!! Absolute legend!"

1823 GMT: CYCLING: London mayor Boris Johnson tweets: "More laurels for Sir Chris Hoy! A new world record and one of the great days in British sporting history."

The audience at the velodrome are clapping rhthmyically as Hoy and the team receive their medals. Hoy now equals former rower Sir Steve Redgrave's British record haul of five Olympic gold medals

1818 GMT: The US has already taken historic golds in judo and gymnastics today. Let's see if their swimmers can continue the medal trend in the pool tonight.

18:11 GMT: SWIMMING: We've barely recovered from the excitement of the cycling, but it's time to look ahead to tonight's swimming showdown between US teammates Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.

AFP correspondent Robert Smith tells us: "Phelps, who owns a record 19 Olympic medals, is going head to head with Lochte in the 200m medley, while Lochte will defend his 200m backstroke Olympic title.

"Rebecca Soni is expected to give America another gold medal as she defends her 200m breaststroke crown from Beijing. Soni set a world record in the semis.

"Dutch swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo is vying for the gold medal in the women's 100m freestyle along with top fancies, Melanie Schlanger of Australia and America's Missy Franklin."

1757 GMT: Almost the entire crowd appears to be on its feet in the velodrome as Sir Chris Hoy and his teammates acknowledge the applause, with Hoy doing a victory lap around the track. Justin Davis tells us the royal family are "clapping heartily". This is Hoy's fifth Olympic gold medal.

Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny and Hoy completed their three-lap effort in a new world mark of 42.600sec, beating the record of 42.747 they had set earlier in qualifying.

1756 GMT: BRITAIN WINS GOLD AND SETS NEW WORLD RECORD IN TEAM SPRINT

1755 GMT: A great roar goes up from the crowd as Great Britain's team lines up on the track, ready to take on France in the team sprint final.

1751 GMT: GERMANY WIN BRONZE IN TEAM SPRINT

1745 GMT: The crowd at the velodrome are applauding German pair Kristina Vogel and Miriam Welte as they are awarded their gold medal.

1737 GMT: An extraordinary situation down at the velodrome as China lose their gold for an infringement.

Justin explains: "Gold goes to silver winners Germany with China taking silver and Australia taking bronze. China's Guo Shuang and Gong Jinjie look devastated."

1731 GMT: CHINA LOSE GOLD AFTER WOMEN'S TEAM SPRINT RELEGATION

1728 GMT: CYCLING: So it's gold for China, silver for Germany and bronze for Australia in the women's team sprint.

"With gold comes two new world records. No wonder the Chinese are happy," adds AFP's Justin Davis.

1723 GMT: CHINA WIN GOLD IN WOMEN'S TEAM SPRINT CYCLING

1721 GMT: AFP's Tom Williams tells us on Twitter that Douglas, 16, is the first black female gymnast to win individual Olympic gold.

1716 GMT: AMERICA'S GABRIELLE DOUGLAS WINS WOMEN'S GYMNASTIC INDIVIDUAL ALL-ROUND GOLD

1709 GMT: CYCLING: Australia have come in second fastest in the team pursuit, trailing Britain -- for now. Justin Davis tells us from the velodrome: "That is the Team pursuit over for tonight. The first round and final will be held Friday, and with Britain setting a new world record time it looks like they could defend their title from Beijing.

"Aussies were second fastest in 3:55, but their bid for gold is far from over. Let's see on Friday who is hungrier."

1700 GMT: As we wait for Australia to take to the track, here are some highlights from the day's events:

+ Britain has had a gold rush, taking medals in shooting and canoe men's double slalom;

+ China's Zhang Jike has become the first male player in history to win successive World Championship and Olympic titles with a table tennis gold medal;

+ Russian President Vladimir Putin was on hand to see his countryman Tagir Khaibulaev win gold in the men's judo under-100kg.

1648 GMT: And fall they have! Justin tells us: "GB set a new world mark of 3min 52.499 in qualifying for the men's team pursuit! The first ever quartet to cover the 4 km, 16-lap even in under 3:53. Will Australia go any faster? We'll see in 10 minutes or so."

1642 GMT: Justin Davis writes from the velodrome: "GB, the Olympic champions and WR holder in 3:53.295, are up next in the team pursuit qualifying, followed by Russia then Australia. Temperatures are up in the Olympic velodrome, and with the stakes so high records are expected to fall!"

Prince William and his wife Kate are on hand to watch...

1634 GMT: CYCLING: At the velodrome, Britain's disqualification from the inaugural women's team sprint means that China will now meet Germany in the final while Australia will meet Ukraine in the battle for bronze.

1625: JUDO: Meanwhile a jubilant Vladimir Putin has left the judo competition after congratulating Tagir Khaibulaev on his gold medal, and standing for Russia's national anthem.

Vitalii Makarov, a coach of the Russian judo team, told AFP: "This is a happy moment for everyone. Putin is a human. He is not a robot. He has emotions. He likes and loves judo very, very much."

Makarov added: "He loves judo. Every time we have a meeting, we have a training with him because he really, absolutely loves judo."

1621 GMT: Back to table tennis momentarily, where China's Zhang Jike has been celebrating his gold medal win over compatriot Wang Hao by running to the podium and kissing the top step.

Zhang's 4-1 victory gives him a table tennis "grand slam", adding the gold to the World Cup and World Championship titles he won last year. It makes the 24-year-old the first male player in history to win successive World Championship and Olympic titles.

1611 GMT: As feared, Britain's Pendleton and Varnish have been disqualified from the gold medal round for an illegal changeover. Justin tells us that means that Pendleton's triple gold medal hopes have gone up in smoke after just two hours of competition. She is in tears trackside, he said.

1601 GMT: China's women cyclists have set another world record in the team sprint, just minutes after breaking the record set by Britain -- a record that, in turn, had been set only minutes before. Gong Jingie and Guo Shuang came round the track in just 32.442 seconds.

But, Justin Davis tells us, there could be a problem for the British team: "Nervous wait for Britain after judges look at Pendleton and Varnish's ride. Did they make an infringement? GB cycling team chief Dave Brailsford looks a worried man. Let's wait and see."

1558 GMT: CHINA'S ZHANG JIKE WINS TABLE TENNIS GOLD

1540 GMT: British Cycling have leapt on to Twitter to reassure nervous fans, tweeting: "It's a mechanical problem. Hindes is on a spare bike and they'll go again #TrackCycling"

1539 GMT: There's been a problem at the velodrome, with Justin Davis writing: "Whoops! German-born British rider Philip Hindes comes down only seconds into the defence of British men's three-man team sprint crown. Let's see if the judges allow a re-run."

1535 GMT: Ukraine's appeal against Britain's Ogogo's middleweight boxing victory over world champion Khytrov has been thrown out.

1533 GMT: AFP's Tom Wiliams is watching the individual gymnastics, telling us: "Japan?s Kohei Uchimura reigned supreme in yesterday?s men?s individual final, but today?s female equivalent is much more difficult to call.

"We?re expecting something of a Cold War between the Russian and American gymnasts, who between them locked out the top five places in qualifying.

"One notable absentee is reigning world champion Jordyn Wieber, who came fourth in qualifying but missed out on a final berth to her American team-mates Alexandra Raisman and Gabrielle Douglas. Hannah Whelan and 15-year-old Rebecca Tunney fly the flag for Great Britain."

1525 GMT: RUSSIA'S TAGIR KHAIBULAEV WINS MEN'S UNDER-100kg JUDO GOLD

1523 GMT: Uh-oh. Is Britain suddenly faltering? After Gibbons' loss to Harrison at judo, that world record set just minutes ago at the velodrome by Pendleton and Varnish has already been broken -- by China's Gong Jinjie and Guo Shuang, who came in at 32.447seconds in the final heat.

Of course, a world record is a world record, even if Team GB only held it for several minutes, while Gibbons' was not expected to be a judo finalist at all. Keep calm...

1519 GMT: That judo victory for Team USA's Kayla Harrison is America's first ever Olympic gold medal in judo. She defeated Britain's shock finalist Gemma Gibbons by a pair of minimum yuko scores.

Gibbons was consoled by none other than David Cameron, however, who applauded her silver medal.

AFP's Robin Millard, at the ExCeL centre, writes that Cameron and Putin seemed to be having a good time, with Putin laughing long and hard at a quip from Cameron. The Russian President has also taken off his jacket -- although, alas, not his shirt.

1515 GMT: AMERICA WINS WOMEN'S UNDER-78kg JUDO GOLD

1512 GMT: Team GB really does seem unstoppable all of a sudden - the women's sprint team has just gotten off to a blistering start by setting a new world record on the velodrome. Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish qualified in the two-lap team sprint with a time of 32.526 seconds. The previous world record, set in Melbourne last April by Germany's Kristina Vogel and Miriam Welte, was 32.549 seconds.

1505 GMT: Back to boxing briefly, for it seems Ukraine are appealing GB's Anthony Ogogo's win over Khytrov -- even though the number one seed has accepted defeat.

The bout had to be decided on a majority vote by the five judges after it ended 18-18 and then also level or countback 52-52.

Unlike furious team officials Khytrov, the reigning world champion, took the defeat sportingly. "No, I'm not angry, and don't believe it was the wrong result," he said. "That's life. Anthony is a very good boxer and we had a good fight."

1502 GMT: The velodrome is the place to be this afternoon! Justin writes: "The atmosphere in the velodrome is electric, with the Chemical Brothers' 'Theme for Velodrome' getting the largely partisan crowd going in what is already a party atmosphere. World road race champion Mark Cavendish is in attendance, but so are many Brits looking to witness some more gold winning exploits from the hosts."

1500 GMT: ARCHERY: SOUTH KOREA'S KI BO-BAE WIN'S WOMEN'S GOLD

1456 GMT: Excitement is starting to build over at the Velodrome this afternoon. AFP's cycling correspondent Justin Davis tells us: "Crowds are starting to pour into the Olympic velodrome in anticipation of more gold winning exploits from the hosts... World records might just be about to fall!"

Justin adds: "First up is the two-lap, two-woman team sprint. The fastest eight teams qualify for the first round, from which the fastest two teams qualify for the gold medal match. Britain's Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish are among the gold favourites along with Germany, Australia and China.

"The men's equivalent, held over three laps with three riders, comes later. Sir Chris Hoy's team are the Olympic champions, but face stiff competition from France, Germany and Australia."

1444 GMT: That's two golds for the host country in the space of minutes, with Peter Wilson's shooting gold boosting the tally alongside the canoe slalom victories. Meanwhile, less than an hour ago, Britain's Gemma Gibbons guaranteed another medal for the UK by winning her judo semi-final, while middleweight boxer Anthony Ogogo caused an upset when he defeated world champion Ievgen Khytrov of the Ukraine on points. Team GB is on a roll!

1440 GMT: SHOOTING: GREAT BRITAIN WINS GOLD IN MEN'S DOUBLE TRAP. AFP's John Weaver writes: "Scenes of great delight at the Royal Artillery Barracks as Peter Wilson takes men's double trap gold for Great Britain - the first shooting medal for the host nation in 12 years."

1432 GMT: CANOE SLALOM: Britain have won gold and silver at the Canoe Double Men's Slalom in a shock upset, with commentators saying the two pairs have defeated the "greatest competitors of all time" - Slovak twin brothers Pavol and Peter Hochschorner, who had to make do with bronze.

Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott took gold, while Richard Hounslow and David Florence took silver. All four are in the water, arms around one another, celebrating.

1422 GMT: JUDO: Russia's Tagir Khaibulaev has just won his semi-final -100kg match against Germany's Dimitri Peters -- much to the watching Putin's satisfaction.

1411 GMT: TENNIS: Serena Williams has crushed Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki 6-0, 6-3 in the quarter-finals -- sending Serena to the semis and keeping her on track for her first Olympic singles gold medal.

1400 GMT: It sounds like Cameron is getting plenty of judo tips. Barnaby adds: "Incidentally, William Hague, who used to train with Sebastian Coe at the Budokwai club in London, is explaining the moves to Cameron on one side with Putin doing likewise, through an interpreter, on the other." The PM will be an expert before the day is out.

Some of the conversation between Putin and Cameron was without the help of the translator, as AFP's Moscow bureau informs us that Putin is starting to study English.

1359 GMT: Putin has arrived at the judo competition now, with AFP's Barnaby Chesterman telling us: "Vladimir Putin and David Cameron took advantage of the pandemonium that erupted in the stands as Britain's Gemma Gibbons reached the women's under-70kg final to slip discreetly into the VIP area."

AFP's Robin Millard adds that people in the ExCeL centre were standing to see the pair, and that Putin smiled and waved as the crowd applauded.

1346 GMT: London's ever-colourful mayor Boris Johnson is hoping that Putin will show off his judo skills when he does turn up at the Olympics.

"I hope he will take part -- isn't he a dab hand?" Johnson said.

"I think that's what people want to see -- stripped to the waist. We want the politicians' Olympics."

1330 GMT: A clarification now -- cyclist Bradley Wiggins has just gone on Twitter to say he has not called for a law forcing cyclists to wear helmets in Britain.

"Just to confirm I haven't called for helmets to be made the law as reports suggest," said Wiggins, who won Olympic time trial gold yesterday, hot on the heels of his Tour de France victory last month.

1327 GMT: Pirate adds that the royal guests are apparently there to cheer on British boxer Anthony Ogogo in his tough bout against top seeded Ukrainian Ievgen Khytrov.

In a joking reference to the dramatic royal sequence in the Olympic opening ceremony, Pirate quips: "All we need now is Daniel Craig aka James Bond and the Queen to descend abseiling from the rafters."

1321 GMT: More members of the royal family are showing up at the Olympics.

AFP's Pirate Irwin reports that Prince Philip, his son Prince Edward and wife Sophie have arrived to watch some boxing.

1311 GMT: AFP's Barnaby Chesterman is down at the judo waiting for Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrive with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The two leaders are heading down to the Olympic Park after talks at Downing Street for a spot of what one British paper is calling "judo diplomacy."

In the meantime, Barnaby has spotted Greco-Roman wrestling legend Alexander Karelin, nicknamed The Russian Bear, down at the venue. After a career which included three Olympic golds, Karelin entered politics. Retired pole vaulter Sergei Bubka is also there.

1301 GMT: ROWING: Back to that South African victory in the lightweight men's four earlier.

One of the four, Sizwe Ndlovu, has been talking about the impact he thinks it will have in his home country.

"Rowing is big in schools but otherwise financially it's an expensive sport," the 29-year-old said. "So this gold will be good for South Africa's rowing community and help give it a better image."

1248 GMT: Prince William and wife Catherine have been out enjoying some more Olympic action at Wimbledon.

They saw Britain's Andy Murray beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-1 in the quarter-final on Court One.

AFP's Steve Griffiths reports: "Being away from Centre Court's Royal Box seems to have put the usually restrained William in a more chilled mode and he could be seen enthusiastically cheering on Murray, while wearing a casual open-necked shirt with no tie. Shock, horror!"

1243 GMT: An Australian rower, Josh Booth, was arrested in the early hours of Thursday after allegedly damaging a shop front on a drunken night out.

Team officials say they are now investigating and will decide whether to take disciplinary action against Booth.

1224 GMT: Phelps is going for a 20th Olympic medal in the 200m individual medley later on, although US team-mate Ryan Lochte starts as favourite.

1219 GMT: SWIMMING: Michael Phelps has had a personal phone call from US President Barack Obama.

Obama had already tweeted Phelps to congratulate him on winning a record 19 Olympic medals -- but it seems he wanted to go further.

Phelps explained what happened: "I answered the phone and they were like, 'Michael?' And I said: 'Yes.'

"And they said: 'Please hold for the President of the United States' and I was, like, 'OK!'"

Phelps said Obama told him "how everyone is supporting me and is behind me at home and how proud everyone is of me."

1206 GMT: EQUESTRIAN: A horse part-owned by the wife of US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is taking part in the equestrian dressage today.

Ann Romney part-owns Rafalca, which is currently placed 6th in the individual dressage with 70.243 points.

The horse has provoked a flurry of interest among politicos -- one British current affairs magazine is live-blogging its appearance while the horse even has a fake Twitter account.

1154 GMT: JUDO: Olympic champion Tuvshinbayar Naidan of Mongolia has made it into the semi-finals of the men's judo under-100kg category.

He will now face South Korea's Hwang Hee-Tae, the 2003 world champion.

World champion Tagir Khaibulaev of Russia is also through.

1138 GMT: Canada take silver in the women's eight rowing, followed by bronze for early leaders the Netherlands.

1136 GMT: USA WIN GOLD IN WOMEN'S EIGHT ROWING FINAL

1134 GMT: The USA are leading Canada with the Netherlands in third.

1131 GMT: More ROWING now with the women's eight final. The USA and the Netherlands are early leaders.

1118 GMT: What a stunning result. South Africa came from well behind to win that gold medal in the rowing, their first ever in the sport. Britain take silver and Denmark bronze.

1116 GMT: SOUTH AFRICA WIN MEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT FOUR ROWING

1114 GMT: More than half way there and the Danes are ahead and looking in control.

1110 GMT: ROWING: Now it's the final of the men's lightweight four down at a windy Eton Dorney. Teams to watch include Australia, Denmark and Britain.

1104 GMT: A few hours into today's action, here are some of the highlights so far:

+ New Zealand's Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan took rowing gold in the men's heavyweight double sculls;

+ British swimmer Rebecca Adlington qualified fastest for the women's 800m freestyle final Friday;

+ US record-breaker Michael Phelps is on track for another gold in the pool after reaching the semis of the 100m butterfly.

1058 GMT: That was very tight at the end in the rowing but New Zealand's Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan pushed Italy into silver at the last minute. Slovenia take bronze.

1056 GMT: NEW ZEALAND WIN GOLD IN ROWING MEN'S HEAVYWEIGHT DOUBLE SCULLS

1053 GMT: It's Slovenia then Argentina then Britain at the halfway mark.

1051 GMT: ROWING: The men's heavyweight double sculls final has just got under way. Slovenia are the early leaders.

1047 GMT: CYCLING: Britain's Bradley Wiggins, who won time trial gold Wednesday, has called for his country to introduce a law making it compulsory for cyclists to wear helmets.

This came after a man on a bicycle was killed Wednesday in a collision with a media shuttle bus just outside the Olympic Park.

The bus driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but has been bailed.

1040 GMT: "Michael Phelps is closing on another medal after reaching the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly," Rob adds.

"Defending champion Phelps, who has an all-time best 19 Olympic medals, was second fastest in the opening heats behind his 200m butterfly conqueror South Africa's Chad le Clos (51.54secs) by 0.18secs.

"Phelps again beat Serbia's Milorad Cavic, who was touched out by the American superstar by one-hundredth of a second in the Beijing final four years ago? this time Phelps beat the Serb by 0.18secs."

1022 GMT: SWIMMING: Rob Smith has been watching the women's 800m freestyle semis, where Britain's Rebecca Adlington qualified fastest.

"The popular Adlington, who took out the 400-800m distance double in Beijing, clocked 8:21.78 to head into Friday's final just 0.11secs ahead of Denmark's Lotte Friis with American Katie Ledecky in third," Rob says.

Patriotic Adlington was sporting fingernails painted with the British flag in interviews after her semi.

1016 GMT: BOXING: Good news for Japan's Satoshi Shimizu -- he has been reinstated in competition after winning an appeal over his controversial defeat to Magomed Abdulhamidov Wednesday.

Azerbaijan's Abdulhamidov was awarded a 22-17 decision in the bout despite slumping to the canvas five times in the final round, but the result has now been changed to a third round stoppage win for Shimizu.

1008 GMT: ROWING: The semi-finals for the men's lightweight double sculls have just finished. Countries through to Saturday's final include Britain and France after a tough battle between them in the second semi which was just won by Britain.

0958 GMT: BASKETBALL: Tony Parker has finished with 27 points as France beat Lithuania 82-74 in the preliminary round, AFP's Jim Slater reports.

"It's a big win for France, now 2-1 with Olympic last-qualifier Nigeria and winless Tunisia remaining in round-robin Group A play," Jim adds.

"Lithuania fell to 1-2 and must face the USA NBA stars (Dream Team) next. I still like them to get into the last eight knockout rounds but it could be tight."

He adds that Linas Kleiza of the NBA Toronto Raptors led Lithuania with 17 points in today's game.

0948 GMT: ROWING: We've just had both semi-finals of the women's lightweight double sculls. Those through to the final include China, Britain and Australia.

0933 GMT: SWIMMING: It's the men's 50m freestyle heats -- and Australia's James Magnussen has struggled after his silver last night as Trinidad's George Bovell beat Brazil's world record holder Cesar Cielo into tonight's semis.

"Bovell, ranked 12th fastest going into the Games, clocked 21.80secs -- two-hundredths of a second quicker than Cielo," AFP's Rob Smith reports.

"Cielo's teammate Bruno Fratus was third-fastest ahead of experienced speedsters Antony Ervin of the United States and South Africa's Roland Schoeman.

"But Australia's big two, James Magnussen and Eamon Sullivan, struggled into the semis -- the Missile, down by one-hundredth of a second by Nathan Adrian in the 100m freestyle final last night, finishing 10th fastest and Sullivan right on the borderline in 16th?"

Magnussen's silver last night just behind Adrian has been described as heart-breaking by Australian media today. 0926 GMT: It's USA then Greece and Germany in third after the Germans faded in the second half of that men's fours semi-final. 0921 GMT: We're into the second semi of the men's fours now, with Germany well ahead.

0916 GMT: Britain win it right at the end of the race after a surge in the final seconds. They will take a psychological advantage into the final. The Netherlands come in third.

0913 GMT: At the halfway mark, Australia are leading Britain by half a length.

0911 GMT: ROWING: The first men's four semi-final has just got under way at Eton Dorney, outside London. Britain and Australia are battling it out for the lead.

0908 GMT: BASKETBALL: The USA's "dream team" will be back on court later on, facing Nigeria from 2115 GMT.

Likely to be another big win for the American superstars as the preliminary rounds continue.

0855 GMT: Let's take a look at the medal table going into today's action.

China are in the lead with 17 gold, nine silver and four bronze -- a total of 30.

Then comes the USA on 12 gold, eight silver and nine bronze -- a total of 29.

Third are South Korea on 12 in total -- six gold, two silver and four bronze.

0836 GMT: JUDO: Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among those visiting the Olympic Park today to watch the judo with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Putin, himself a judo black belt, is well known for his action man image, once posing bare-chested while riding a horse.

He is in London for talks with Cameron -- whose main sporting interest is tennis -- on issues including the Syrian conflict and trade ties.

0830 GMT: Despite that sign-off from Yu, the players seem to have drawn little sympathy in their own countries.

Some media in Asia suggested that the new round-robin format motivated players to lose although most agreed that nothing excused match-throwing, colleagues in AFP's Beijing bureau say.

South Korea's major newspaper JoongAng Ilbo said: "Korean women's badminton players have disgraced the Olympic spirit and embarrassed the country".

0825 GMT: BADMINTON: Much of yesterday's action was overshadowed by the controversy over match-throwing which implicated Chinese, South Korean and Indonesian female players.

And overnight we got the news that one of the players involved, China's Yu Yang, is now set to retire from the game.

"Goodbye my beloved badminton," she posted on Chinese microblog Weibo. "After working hard and dealing with injuries to prepare, (you) say we're disqualified and we're disqualified. You have heartlessly shattered our dreams."

0816 GMT: More details on the main events to look out for today and when they are coming up:

+ US swimmer Michael Phelps goes for a 20th Olympic medal in the 200m individual medley up against Ryan Lochte (swimming events from 1830 GMT, IM expected around 1920 GMT);

+ The track cycling gets under way in the Olympic velodrome from 1500 GMT with medals up for grabs in the team pursuits. Britain won seven out of 10 golds in the competition in 2008 and will be hoping for more after Bradley Wiggins's victory in Tuesday's road race time trial;

+ The tennis continues at Wimbledon from 1030 GMT, with the men's and women's singles quarter-finals, the men's and women's doubles semi-finals and the mixed doubles quarter-finals.

WELCOME to AFP's Live Report on the London Olympics on Thursday August 2.

Highlights today include Michael Phelps going head-to-head with US teammate Ryan Lochte in the swimming pool, the start of the track cycling competition plus more rowing and table tennis.

Stay with us for all the action.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/olympics-2012-live-report-075805751--oly.html

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