Heroes soaked in honour

BRITAIN was celebrating a golden haul of medals in Beijing last night, with even more glory expected today.

SPLASHING The coxless four boost Britain s medals SPLASHING: The coxless four boost Britain's medals

Millions of TV viewers were treated to one of the country’s greatest sporting days.

Four gold medals, one silver and four bronzes were our best return in a day at the Olympics since 1908 when a third of the competitors were British.

“This was a fantastically successful day of Olympics,” said Simon Clegg, the British team’s Chef de Mission.

“What a great tally and there are a number of prospects for tomorrow and we are guaranteed two medals in the sailing. It has been outstanding.”

**VIDEO: SEE THE COXLESS FOUR TRIUMPH IN BEIJING**

GOLD PEDALLISTS Britain s triumphant cyclists show off their gold medals GOLD PEDALLISTS: Britain's triumphant cyclists show off their gold medals

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: “This has been an extraordinary day of achievement by our athletes in Beijing with four terrific gold medals.”

Beijing’s Laoshan velodrome witnessed awesome performances from our track cycling team. Chris Hoy, 32, clinched his second gold in two days and his third Olympic career title with victory in the keirin event.

The Scot thundered over the line cheered on by his proud family waving a banner reading “The Real McHoy”.

Team-mate Ross Edgar was just behind him to win silver.

Hoy, of Edinburgh, said: “It’s been an eventful day and so many things happen you just try and block it all out and focus on your performance and that’s what I did.

"To finish with a one-two on the podium, that’s just unbelievable. It means everything to me. I will just take one step at a time.

“I had better get a good night’s sleep to make sure I come back tomorrow with some fire in my belly."

Bradley Wiggins, 28, who likes to limber up before his cycling races by listening to Paul Weller songs, took gold yesterday in the four kilometre individual pursuit, four years after claiming his first gold in Athens.

Britain’s Steven Burke won a surprise bronze.

Wiggins, from Chorley, Lancashire, said: “It was memorable and fantastic. I’m pleased that’s over but it’s only one of the three golds I’m after. I got the job done tonight. We have become the dominant force.”

Wiggins and Hoy, who is already Scotland’s greatest Olympian, hope to return from China with three gold medals each. Chris Newton added to Britain’s cycling medal haul yesterday with a bronze.

Our rowers displayed perfect timing to clinch victory on the finishing line to continue Britain’s record of winning gold in the men’s four event at the past three Olympics.

Steve Williams, Andy Triggs-Hodge, Pete Reed and Tom James looked set for silver with seconds to go but a dramatic surge, as they were cheered on by rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, saw them pip the Australians.

That meant a second Olympic gold for Williams, 32, from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, who won in Athens in 2004 but when asked what he felt, he said: “Pain. I was in so much pain. I had never felt anything like that in my life.”

Triggs-Hodge added: “It was an incredible effort.”

Charles Barker, the manager of the Henley-based Leander club where Williams and Reed are members, said: “It is a proud day for us all. We have seen the blood, sweat and tears that they have put in.”

Fellow rowers Elise Laverick and Anna Bebington won bronze in a thrilling finish in the women’s double sculls.

Then Matt Wells and Stephen Rowbotham made it a further celebration for Britain when they came third in the men’s double sculls.

The only major disappointment of the day was heptathlete Kelly Sotherton failing to reach the podium, finishing fifth despite an impressive javelin performance and a strong 800 metres run.

Team GB is assured of another gold today when Wendy Houvenaghel and former rower Rebecca Romero compete in an all-UK final in the women’s individual cycling pursuit.

Romero is aiming to become the first British woman to win medals in two summer Olympic sports.

Ben Ainslie is also tipped for gold in the Finn sailing today and Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, the “three blondes in a boat”, are well placed in the Keelboat Yngling event.

American swimmer Michael Phelps will today go for a record eighth gold in an Olympics after equalling compatriot Mark Spitz’s tally of seven yesterday by winning the 100 metres butterfly.

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