Olympics daily: Badminton players disqualified for ‘not using best efforts’ | Bradley Wiggins goes for gold

EIGHT badminton players from China, South Korea and Indonesia have been disqualified from the Olympics after appearing to throw their respective matches, while Bradley Wiggins aims to win Team GB’s first gold medal in the road time-trial; plius today’s must-watch events and Scots in action.

STORIES OF THE DAY

It’s just not badminton

In scenes of farce at Wembley Arena last night, a pair from China, two from South Korea and another from Indonesia seemed to want to lose their badminton matches in an attempt to manipulate the draw, giving themselves an easier opponent in the next round. The Badminton World Federation confirmed earlier today that all four pairs would face charges of “not using one’s best efforts to win a match” and “conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport”. Following the hearing on Wednesday morning, the decision was taken to disqualify all eight players. (Various)

Phelps makes history

American swimming great Michael Phelps won gold and silver last night to bring his gobsmacking haul to 19 pieces of precious metal – 15 gold, two silver and two bronze since he first announced his intention to shake up the world in 2004. (Various)

British women beat Brazilians

Steph Houghton secured arguably the finest result in the history of British women’s football as Hope Powell’s side stormed into the Olympic quarter-finals by beating Brazil 1-0 at Wembley. (Various)

MEDAL WATCH

1 China: Gold 13 / Silver 6 / Bronze 4 / Total 23

2 United States: Gold 9 / Silver 8 / Bronze 6 / Total 23

3 France: Gold 4 / Silver 3 / Bronze 4 / Total 11

21 Team GB: Gold 0 / Silver 2 / Bronze 2 / Total 4

MUST-WATCH EVENTS

GLOVER & STANNING

GREAT BRITAIN ROWING

11:50, ETON DORNEY

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning will be carrying the hopes and expectations of a nation on their shoulders today when they go for gold in the final of the women’s pair. After near misses in cycling, diving and equestrian, Glover and Stanning have the opportunity to deliver GB their first gold medal of the Games. The home favourites will be the crew to beat, having dominated the boat class all summer with victories at all three World Cup regattas. Glover and Stanning won their heat in an Olympic best time as they stormed into the final – and one race from history. Britain have never before won an Olympic gold in women’s rowing.

TURNING YELLOW TO GOLD?

GREAT BRITAIN ROAD CYCLING

14:15, HAMPTON COURT PALACE

Tour de France winner Wiggins will seek a fourth Olympic gold medal in the 44-kilometre road time-trial at Hampton Court. The 32-year-old Londoner has six Olympic medals from the track and another on the road will see him overtake Sir Steve Redgrave as the Briton with the most medals. After ringing the bell to start the opening ceremony in the stadium last Friday, the nation expects a big performance from its latest sporting superstar. Before ‘le Gentleman’ makes his bid for glory, Britain also have a medal chance in the women’s through emma Pooley. The 29-year-old, who won silver in Beijing, favours an undulating route, but the flat nature of the 29-kilometre course could be more beneficial to bigger, more powerful riders.

MURRAY FACES FAMILIAR FOE

GREAT BRITAIN TENNIS

WIMBLEDON

Andy Murray and Marcos Baghdatis face each other for a place in the men’s singles quarter-finals in a repeat of their dramatic late-night match under the roof at Wimbledon a month ago. The Scot is justifiably wary of the Cypriot after being pushed very hard at Wimbledon in a match that finished under the roof at 11.02pm, the latest in the history of the tournament. It was also confirmed yesterday that Murray will partner Laura Robson in the mixed doubles.

GYMNASTIC FANTASTIC

GREAT BRITAIN GYMNASTICS

16:30, NORTH GREENWICH ARENA

On the back of Monday’s historic Olympic team bronze medal, Daniel Purvis will compete alongside British team-mate Kristian Thomas in the individual allaround event. When the Games are over and the Team GB medals are counted it will be the golds that are especially savoured but the bronze won at the north Greenwich Arena on Monday will be as precious as any – the first men’s team medal for 100 years. The individual competition will see the elite gymnasts battle it out for the biggest Olympic prize, with Liverpool-born Purvis who represents Scotland at the Commonwealth Games thanks to a Dundonian mother, who finished fourth at last year’s World Championships, in the mix for a medal.

VOLLEY GOOD SHOWGIRLS

GREAT BRITAIN VOLLEYBALL

16:45, EARLS COURT

It wasn’t a gold medal but it must have felt like it for Lynne Beattie of East Renfrewshire as she captained Great Britain’s women to their first volleyball win in Olympic history – a five-set thriller against the much higher ranked Algerians late on Monday night. It was the culmination of years of sacrifice as the squad, who had their funding stopped and have fought tooth and nail to take their place at the Games as hosts, celebrated wildly. Twenty-six-year-old Janine Sandell came off the bench to inspire Great Britain’s women to their historic win. The londoner spiked 13 winners and Scottish coach Audrey Cooper will be keen to utilise her new-found secret weapon against Italy today.

LUIS SUAREZ

URUGUAY FOOTBALL

19:45, MILLENNIUM STADIUM

Uruguay probably need to beat hosts Great Britain tonight to have a chance of progressing from the group. After qualifying at the expense of the past two gold medallists Argentina, the South Americans had high hopes with Liverpool star Luis Suarez bolstering their young ranks. The controversial forward has been on the receiving end of some jeering in this tournament and that will no doubt reach a crescendo in Cardiff, where GB need just a point to advance. But Stuart Pearce’s side have little margin for error as defeat would almost certainly see them make an early exit.

SCOTS IN ACTION

SWIMMING: Glasgow-born Michael Jamieson broke the British record in the 200m breaststroke heats yesterday morning then qualified fastest for the final. Genuine medal hope. Caitlin McClatchey will be in the GB 4x200m relay squad, with heats in the morning and, hopefully, a final to come in the evening.

ROWING: Heather Stanning has a real shot at winning Great Britain’s first gold in the women’s pairs with English partner Helen Glover at Eton Dorney.

BASKETBALL: Rose Anderson and the GB girls take on Russia at the Basketball Arena tonight.

HANDBALL: Lynn McCafferty, Zoe Van Der Weel and Nina Heglund in action as the GB women play Brazil at the Handball Arena.

JUDO: Sally Conway goes in the Under 70kg competition.

TENNIS: Andy Murray is in third-round action at Wimbledon against Marcos Baghdatis at Wimbledon.

VOLLEYBALL: Lynne Beattie and Joanne Morgan, as well as Scottish coach Audrey Cooper, will hope to carry the momentum of their euphoric maiden Olympic victory over Algeria in the early hours of yesterday morning. They face Italy at Earls Court this afternoon so should get finished at a more civilised hour. Another shock victory could take them into a remarkable quarter-final berth.