Britain enjoys best Olympic haul for a century

IT WAS the day Britain struck gold, writes Moira Gordon in Beijing. A truly remarkable 10 hours of sporting action saw British athletes secure thrilling victories in swimming, rowing and cycling, which, together with one silver and four bronzes, represents the country's best return from a single day at the Olympics since 1908.

The irrepressibly smiling 19-year-old Rebecca Adlington began the cascade of medals, breaking the world record to win her second gold in the pool.

But that was only the beginning as the GB team's Beijing Super Saturday lived up to all the expectations with a series of spellbinding performances.

Supreme among them was the imperious Chris Hoy, the Edinburgh cyclist who eased to his second gold of the 2008 Games, adding to the one he won in Athens, to become Scotland's greatest Olympian.

In between, Bradley Wiggins also sprinted to gold in the Laoshan Velodrome and the GB's coxless four rowers pipped Australia by the narrowest of margins to clinch first place in a thrilling finish.

The medal haul would have been heavier had sailor Ben Ainslie not been becalmed and his race abandoned as he closed in on another gold.

Hoy's performance, with a second Scot, Ross Edgar, roaring

in behind to clinch silver in the keirin event, was celebrated throughout Britain, from Manchester Velodrome, where he trains, to his old stamping grounds north of the border.

The Manchester Velodrome came to a halt to watch Hoy race. The duty manager said: "Everyone who was at the Velodrome was cheering him on and we're extremely happy for him. The win didn't come as a surprise, though. We expected him to do it as he has worked so hard."

The double gold makes Adlington the most successful British swimmer since Henry Taylor won three gold medals in the London Games in 1908.

Her parents, Kay and Stephen, who were victims of a ticket scam that meant they missed their teenage daughter's first event, had front-row seats this time and were there to cheer her home.

Speaking after the race, Adlington said: "I can't actually believe it at the minute. It's so nice for the work to have paid off. I've worked so hard for it."

Her team-mate Cassie Patten, who finished eighth, almost stole the show. Hugging Adlington and turning to the television cameras, she said: "If the Queen is listening to this: two golds – Dame Rebecca Adlington, Dame Rebecca Adlington."

The swimmer's two sisters, Laura, 21, and 24-year-old Chloe, watched the race on television at their home in Mansfield with other relatives.

Laura said: "We knew she had it in her. She started strong and she kept it going all the way through. Everybody in the room was on their feet, screaming and crying. There's no word for the emotion, it was absolute jubilation. Her face when she looked up at the board and realised what she had done was just fantastic."

The mayor of Mansfield, Tony Egginton, said there would be a victory parade around the Nottinghamshire town by open-top bus when she returned home on August 26.

He said: "We will be showing the two races on big screens, there will be a fireworks finale and then it will be back to the civic centre for a big party. She has raised the profile of Mansfield and as an individual she is remarkable. She provides inspiration for other youngsters in the town."

The rowers were up next, and Steve Williams, a gold medallist four years ago, Andy Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed and Tom James came from nearly a length behind the Australians to secure Britain's third consecutive title in the rowing event with a dramatic sprint to the line.

The Leander Club at Henley-on-Thames – where Williams and Reed are members – enjoyed a champagne breakfast following their success. Manager Charles Barker said: "It is a proud, proud day for us all. We have seen the blood, sweat and tears they have put in."

Earlier, Elise Laverick and Anna Bebington delivered the first of two bronze medals for Britain, securing victory in a dramatic finish to the women's double sculls. Then Matt Wells and Stephen Rowbotham made it a double celebration when they came third in the men's double sculls.

Then it was 28-year-old Wiggins' turn to go for gold in the individual pursuit title at the cycling velodrome and the Lancastrian didn't disappoint either. Team-mate Steven Burke mopped up the bronze.

Less than 30 minutes later, Hoy took to the track and demolished his opposition.

After his triumph, he said: "I cannot believe this now. It means absolutely everything to me.

"I had better get a good night's sleep to make sure I come back tomorrow with some fire in the belly." The 32-year-old races for his fourth gold on Tuesday.

First Minister Alex Salmond congratulated Hoy and Edgar for making their event the "Braveheart final. This is a fantastic achievement, and Scotland's greatest sporting moment at the Olympics of all time. They did Scotland proud".

Salmond's spokesman added that a reception at Edinburgh Castle was planned for Scotland's Olympic heroes.