London 2012: Dai Greene upbeat on Olympic chances - BBC News
Dai Greene is still confident of winning Olympic gold despite finishing second behind rival Javier Culson at the London Diamond League.
Greene was beaten by Culson for the second consecutive week having finished behind the Puerto Rican in Paris.
Despite being beaten in his last race before London 2012, Greene was not too downbeat.
"I'm looking forward to the Olympics and hopefully I can get one over Culson then," he said.
"I wanted a bit more. I would have loved to get the win before a home crowd."
At the Diamond League in Paris, Greene had clocked a new personal best of 47.84 to miss Kriss Akabusi's 20-year record by just 0.02s.
Greene second at Crystal Palace
And the 26-year-old from Llanelli believes he is peaking at the right time ahead of the Olympics, with the 400m hurdles first round on 3 August.
The World Champtrion, appointed Team GB's athletics captain , has seen his training and his preparation for the Games blighted with injury and a virus .
"My top-end speed has been better the last few weeks but it needs to improve again and hopefully I can get it right for the Olympics," he added.
"I think it was my third fastest time ever so I can't be too disappointed.
"I've run faster than I did last year already so it seems to be boding well. In a few weeks' time Culson may be tiring [and] hopefully I'll run a bit faster.
"It should be a good final. I've got a few more weeks to get a bit sharper for the Olympics and I'm going in the right direction I think."
London Olympics 2012: Perri Expects After Personal Best - ibtimes.co.uk
"I've run a personal best today. You know I just believed in myself. I thought it was an opportunity to run against the best, these girls have run some phenomenal times.
"I thought, let's focus on what I've got to do. We've done a lot of work this week with my coach and today went well.
"It was waiting wasn't it? I honestly didn't expect to run a personal best today," she added. "Conditions wise they weren't the best but the rain stopped, that's what I wanted, no rain. This is what I'm used to.
"It will give me confidence but I won't let it get to my head too much because with my event anything can happen so it could be my day one day and another persons day another, so today is was my day but I'm not going to take what happened today to much and get too ahead of myself."
As well as coming into form at just the right time, Shakes-Dryaton looked at home in front of a capacity Crystal Palace crowd.
And the European Bronze medallist knows when she comes to competing in front of a partisan 80,000 crowd at the Olympic Stadium, the support could spark a repeat performance come London.
"It's going to be even better isn't it, I mean having all these people with all the Great Britain flags in the stands, that's something I strive for.
"I've had a lot of my family around today as well so I should get some more tickets, it's great encouragement having them in the crowd."
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London 2012 Olympics: Phillips Idowu's Games hope in jeopardy after pulling out of London Grand Prix with injury - Daily Telegraph
“Phillips felt a tightness in the muscle and tried to loosen it up but when it never happened and he felt he could aggravate the problem in competition, he decided on the precautionary approach and pulled out,” explained a UK Athletics spokesman.
“Hey guys, sorry to have to pull out, slight bit of muscle tightness. I will be fine in a day or 2,” Idowu tweeted later.
Hopefully, his diagnosis is correct but his lack of competition in Olympic summer has to be a considerable concern, even given all of his steel and experience.
In Idowu’s absence yesterday, Taylor simply reinforced his credentials as gold medal favourite as the only man capable of jumping more than 17 metres.
He capped his victory with a sixth-round leap of 17.41m, an extraordinary effort as the rain careered down. If anything, that should have been the real sight to worry Idowu.
Clearly, ever since he pulled out of a Diamond League meeting on a wet day in Eugene at the start of June worried that he might slip on the board, the Briton has not been quite himself.
For even if he denied this week that he has had any injuries, if he had felt anything remotely near his best he would surely have competed in at least one of the four events from which he has subsequently withdrawn.
He denied that he suffered a foot problem that day in Eugene and painted himself as an experienced athlete who knew exactly the best way to look after his body.
“I triple jump so I’m always feeling aches and pains,” he explained earlier in the week. “It’s Olympic year so I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise my chances of being in the best possible shape that I can be in at the Games.”
His preparations for London differ vastly from Idowu’s previous medal-winning exploits. He has had just three competitions this season, all in the space of a fortnight, winning two and getting beaten in Eugene.
Compare that to last year, during which he competed a dozen times before winning bronze at the world championships in Daegu. Before he won silver at the last Olympics, he had competed 11 times.
His fellow British triple jump medal hope Yamile Aldama who has been suffering injury problems of her own, struggling with an injured right shoulder incurred during the Diamond League meeting in Rome, returned to competition, satisfied with a third-placed finish and a fifth-round 14.37m leap.
“I’m happy. I’m in one piece and that’s the main thing,” said the world indoor champion. “This was the first time since the injury happened so I had to make sure nothing happened to my shoulder.
“The rhythm wasn’t there with some of the early jumps because I haven’t been able to do a full approach in training, but that will change in the next three weeks.”
Welcome to London! Royal Navy's largest warship sails down the Thames as armed forces put on show of strength for Olympics - Daily Mail
- The British military's largest warship, HMS Ocean, was carefully positioned into its Greenwich dock to prepare for Olympics security
- Mayor of London has welcomed the 3,500 extra troops brought in to secure Games saying the public will like that they are there
- The extrovert politician added the armed soldiers will add 'tone' to the event
- PM David Cameron said G4S should be pursued for money for not delivering on their contract
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The largest warship in the British Navy's fleet and thousands of additional soldiers have arrived in London to ensure security is not breached during 2012 Olympics.
Spectators watched on as helicopter carrier HMS Ocean was manoeuvred into its dock at Greenwich, east London, yesterday where it will serve as a mighty military defence and home to service personnel during the Games.
Security of the global sporting event has been at the top of London Major Boris Johnson's agenda this week after contractor G4S admitted it needed additional soldiers to plug a 3,500 staffing shortfall.
Scroll down for video
As HMS Ocean turns in the Thames 150 sailors and aircrew recreate the Olympic Rings on the flight deck to mark the start of the ship's Olympic deployment
Britain's helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy's largest in the fleet, sailed into Greenwich, East London, yesterday, as it prepares to anchor on the River Thames for the Olympics security
It was a careful operation to manoeuvre the vast vessel into position on the river, where it will be used during the Olympic Games as a base for helicopters and military personnel
People looked on as the unusually large vessel was guided by tugs down the Thames with the city backdrop behind it
Spectacular site: The enormous helicopter carrier HMS Ocean towers over residential flats in east London, close to the Isle of Dogs
The largest British warship travelled under London's newest transport system yesterday, the east London cable car, as it journeyed up the Thames
Boris has put the ongoing Olympic security shambles down to 'pre-curtain-up jitters' and believes the public will be pleased to see thousands of extra armed soldiers guarding the Games.
The Mayor of London said yesterday the city is the best-prepared host ever and the 3,500 forces staff brought in to plug a gap left by the failure of G4S to find enough staff will ensure London 2012 is safe.
G4S was reportedly paid a staggering 284million to provide up to 17,500 personnel for the 2012 Games, but this week admitted it couldn't do it with only a fortnight to go until the opening ceremony.
David Cameron today said: 'If companies don’t deliver on their contracts then they should be pursued for that money', in an attack on the beleaguered security firm.
Their blunders mean thousands of soldiers – some only just back from gruelling tours on the Afghan front line – have been ordered to cancel home leave or holidays with their friends and families to form a ring of steel at Games venues.
Ready for action: A fearsome Lance Corporal - who cannot be named for security reasons - a trained sniper with the a high-ranking regiment, shows what he will be doing throughout the Games
Deadly: These troops and thousands more will use all their specialist training to deal with threats at London 2012
In action: The pair will be two of thousands who will be in Britain aiming to ensure that London 2012 is safe from terror attacks
Experts: Snipers will leave their base at RAF Northolt by helicopter to protect London 2012 from above
Mr Johnson today added his backing saying the Army would add 'tone' to the Games as they do at the Wimbledon tennis championships where they control crowds.
'I think we are in the stage now of pre-curtain-up jitters and you would expect the media, quite properly, to be focusing on all the areas where people feel there may be imperfections or things we need to nail down and clearly transport and security have always been the big question marks,' Mr Johnson said.
An aerial view of a British military missile battery next to a reservoir on the Lea Valley in east London, part of the defenses for the Games. The line of defence is just yards from family homes
Ring of steel: A British military missile battery on Blackheath common in south London, is surrounded by a metal fence
How's that for a neighbour? British military vehicles patrol a field behind a residential home next to the William Girling reservior in Chingford, east London
A soldier runs across the banks of the William Girling reservior towards the anti-aircraft gun as armed police look on - as training continues just yards from peoples back gardens anti-aircraft missiles point skywards
'But I’m very confident that at this stage London is better prepared for the Olympics than any previous Olympic city has ever been.'
Asked if G4S had his confidence, he said: “I think the Games are going to be very safe, very secure and the arrangements that are going to be made by G4S, by the Armed Services, will deliver very good results.
'We have increased the number of people who will be involved and I think anybody who goes to Wimbledon and sees the role of the Armed Services in venue security, making the thing run well, will like it. It will add an element of tone to our proceedings over the next few weeks.'
Hideout: Soldiers rest under camouflage covers and a sheet of tarpaulin as they guard the tow path of the River Lea near the Olympic stadium and Olympic site in Stratford
A soldier cycles and carries a second bike on the tow path of the River Lea, where his colleagues are temporarily stationed
Troops take a rest on a canal loch. They are are stationed around canals and rivers as part of the defence plan for the Olympics
David Cameron also tried to be positive, saying: 'I think we should be raising our sights, and thinking of the incredible inspiration that these Games are going to bring.
'The facilities are built, the country is ready, we are in really good shape.'
It came as it also emerged hundreds of A-level students have been hired as front-line guards at the Games to fill the security void when the games starts in two weeks.
They are among 3,300 teenagers recruited from colleges around Britain to help form a ring of steel at the venues for 8.50 an hour.
Reinforcements: Police patrol the River Lea near the Olympic stadium in a powerboat. They will be providing extra security and emergency responses if anything happens
A military boat sits idle on the river. It is one of a number of water crafts that will be adding to the defence operation. The waterways allow soldiers to travel quickly around the city without getting caught up in traffic
Security experts expressed alarm that youngsters aged 18 and 19 had been entrusted with searching spectators and bags.
The company was contracted to provide a minimum of 15,400 security staff, with a target of 17,500.
This week the Government confirmed the call-up of 3,500 extra troops, G4S claimed it would be able to bring in 13,800.
However, with 14 days to go to the Games, question marks remained whether it would meet even that target, as just a small fraction of that total is available for deployment.
Security problems: A soldier on duty at the Olympic park in Stratford on Thursday. He'll soon be joined by 3,500 other troops
Preparations: Two squaddies wearing their identification badges walk towards an exit from the Olympic Park today
Service: Military personnel walk past the iconic Olympic rings in the park today. Many soldiers had been expecting a summer break but are now having to work to secure the Olympics
Thumbs up: London Mayor Boris Johnson greets a security staff member at the Olympic Park and claims the Games will be better because of an increased army presence
Pointing the way: A steward directs arriving soldiers to the Olympic Park site using a novelty foam hand
Only 4,000 are ‘boots on the ground’, working as ticket checkers and bag searchers at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London.
Another 9,000 are still in the training and vetting process – raising fears even the more reduced target might not be achievable.
The Armed Forces now make up the overwhelming majority of the security staff likely to be deployed during the Games.
The original plan for 7,500 military is bolstered by a special contingent of 5,000, plus the 3,500 announced on Tuesday, making a total of 16,000. In addition, there will be 3,000 unpaid volunteers.
Spot the sniper: The soldiers are stationed at the very top of this block of flats in east London where they have installed deadly weapons
Logistics: The men look across the London skyline and consider what faces them over the coming weeks
Getting to work: Soldiers look out from a top of a housing block in Leystonstone which has been kitted out with the weaponry to defend the Games
Alone: This weapon is one of many across various locations in London that will be fired if needed
A legal bid by the residents of the Fred Wigg tower, in Leytonstone, pictured, to stop the installing of surface-to-air missiles was dropped after the High Court rejected the challenge yesterday
The number of staff needed to guard the Olympic venues more than doubled last December after the organising committee Locog wildly underestimated the total required. Originally Locog contracted G4S to provide 2,000 security guards, but in December the firm agreed to increase that number massively.
But locals are expected to be reassured by the presence of very sever anti-terrorist measures around the Olympic site.
Soldiers in residential tower blocks and green open spaces were yesterday pictured installing surface-to-air missiles at six sites across the capital, a show of strength not seen in this country since the Second World War.
Yesterday, the military began installing Rapier and high-velocity missile systems at the six sites in Leytonstone, Bow, Blackheath Common and Oxleas Wood, both in South East London, Enfield and Epping Forest.
Work: Men continue to file in with items to prepare and install the missile launcher
Security: Surface-to-air missiles have been installed at a number of sites across the capital, including this Rapier missile system on Blackheath Common
Show of strength: With two weeks to go before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the deployment of missile systems marks a dramatic development in the security operation. Right, soldiers are pictured preparing the missile site on the top of Lexington Building, Tower Hamlets. It is part of the biggest peacetime security operation the country has ever seen
The most controversial of these is at the residential block Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone, east London.
Swarming like ants across the rooftop, members of the Royal Artillery were pictured setting up the weapons.
Troops carried truckloads of equipment up the 17-storey block ready to assemble it to protect the Olympic Games from terrorist attack.
The Starstreak high-velocity missile systems, whose laser-guided weapons have a range of 3.4 miles, are so powerful they can bring down an aircraft.
Residents this week lost their bid to force a judicial review into the decision to deploy the air defences above their heads.
Armed: Blackheath Common was chosen because of its strategic location to the Olympic site
Target? The Beach Volleyball arena, on Horseguards' Parade is the only central London arena for the Games
Video: Prime Minister answers question on security costs
New signing Nick Powell turns up to Man United training in Vauxhall Corsa - Metro.co.uk
The club's new signing from Crewe Alexandra likely took a bit of a ribbing from his fellow senior pros after rocking up in his down-to-earth motor.
The 18-year-old earned £400 a week with the League One outfit but should now be able to afford to upgrade his modest vehicle - which he is using to travel to training in his first week at Old Trafford.
Powell may not look out of place when arriving at the Carrington training ground for much longer though - the Red Devils have, according to the Sun, upped his weekly wage to £5,000.
But that did not save his blushes when he parked his budget wheels alongside the cars of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young this week.
Powell's down to earth nature is likely to go down well with fiery Old Trafford chief Sir Alex Ferguson, although it is not known if he took a ribbing from his millionaire team-mates for his choice of wheels.
It certainly seems as though the young midfielder has a long way to go before he is living the typical Premier League superstar lifestyle and it would be no surprise to see a more glamorous car replace the Corsa in the weeks to come.
"Fearsome Lance-corporal who can't be named for security reasons"? "Member of a HIGH-RANKING regiment? 1. It's the RAF Regiment, not particularly well regarded by anyone except..... The RAF Regiment! 2. There's no such tank as Lance-corporal in the RAF Regiment. 3. You then go on to name the men " who can't be named for security reasons"! Dear oh dear!
- Richard, Bristol, 14/7/2012 19:57
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