Latest news from Beijing

August 15, 2008

BT Ambassador Chris Hoy and his track cycling team mates Jamie Staff and Jason Kenny have picked up Britain’s third gold medal of the 2008 Beijing Games.

The men's sprint team defeated France in a time of 43.128secs which was sealed by Hoy, who collects his second Olympic gold medal following his 1km time trial triumph in Athens four years ago. The 32-year-old Scot is aiming for a trio of gold medals with his Individual Sprint Race and Team Sprint Keirin starting in a couple of days.

"To win as part of a team is a totally different feeling. Our friendship has been so dominant in the last few years,” said Hoy. “To beat them by half a second made it that exciting. Honestly, it took every inch of effort in beating the French who have been invincible.”

The trio produced a powerful display, setting the three fastest times of the competition - including a world record on their first run - to beat the team that pushed Great Britain into the silver medal at the World Championships in Manchester in March.

Triple Olympic medallist and BT Ambassador Ben Ainslie is guaranteed at least a Finn silver medal after the only race for the class today on a difficult day in Qingdao. After a frustrating four hour delay, Ainslie made a good start leading for most of the race but eventually crossing in second place, holding onto his position on top of the leader board.

The results made sure that Ainslie will achieve his goal of becoming Britain's most successful Olympic sailor ever by eclipsing Rodney Pattison and winning a fourth medal. American Zach Railey is Ainslie’s main competition in tomorrow’s double points-scoring medal race, and Ainslie doesn’t plan to let Railey out of his sight.

"Stick to [Zach] like glue I would have thought, especially with this venue," said Ainsley. “I just hope we get some decent breeze - I hope it's not too light and fluky. But certainly I'll be keeping a very keen eye on Zach and try not to get too far away from him.”

Meanwhile, the Yngling trio of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson also ensured a medal for Team GB - a minimum of silver as long as they finish their medal race without incident.

Team GB's medal count now stands at a total of eight, including three gold, two silver and three bronze medals. There’s a big chance of Rebecca Adlington becoming a double Olympian after she set an Olympic record and swimming the fastest qualifying time in the 800m semi-final yesterday.

It promises to be a fantastic weekend for the British team, who could add a host more golds in sailing, rowing, cycling and athletics.