Live: Beijing Olympics

America's Michael Phelps wins third gold medal, GB's women's hockey team salvage draw with Argentina while Tom Daley and Blake Aldridge fall-out continues.

 
Last Updated: 9:40AM BST 12 Aug 2008

Golden hat-trick: Michael Phelps wins third gold medal in Beijing. Photo: Getty

Stunning: Michael Phelps has won his third gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Photo: Retuers

- Phelps lands third gold medal
- GB's women's hockey team salvage draw
- Florence reaches final of men's slalom canoe

09.05 - BRITWATCH II

GB's shooter Richard Faulds could not repeat his gold medal success of eight years ago as he finished sixth in the final of the men's double trap.

The 31-year-old won gold in Sydney but fell four shots short of a medal postion.

There remains hope that David Florence could land a medal for GB on the fourth day of the Games after qualifying for the final of the men's slalom canoe.

Florence posted the fourth fastest semi-final time on the Shunyi white water, just four tenths of a second outside of the top three.

With the semi-final times carried forward, the world No 5 from Aberdeen is well placed to challenge for a podium finish.

08.30 - BRITWATCH

Tonia Couch and Stacie Powell have matched the performance of Tom Daley and Blake Aldridge, coming eighth of eighth in the women's 10m platform synchronised diving.

China continue their dominance of the diving events as Xin Wang and Ruolin Chen claim gold.

08.05 - Give me an 'A'

'Cheerleader squads' of volunteers have been drafted in to fill empty seats at some of the venues. The Chinese are desperate to show the Games in the best possible light and have resorted to rent-a-crowd tactics.

Volunteers are given yellow or red T-shirts and 'thunder-sticks' and told to create a good atmosphere.

07.50 - Mum's the word

Claiming an Olympic medal can open up new avenues but for China's bronze medallist in the 50m air rifle event, Tan Zongliang, family is all that matters now that his Games are over.

Unlike other Chinese shooting gold medal prospects who burst into tears after falling short of the top prize, Tan said he was content with his bronze.

"After working hard for so many years I've neglected my family. Now that the competition is over for me I hope to spend more time with my mum."

07.20 - PROJECT 119

It's early days but China are on track to topple America in the table standings. The hosts have claimed their 10th gold of the Games as they dominated the men's gymnastics with Japan having to settle for silver. Not surprising the Americans were in the medals too, taking bronze.

07.15 - GB still in semi-final contention

Great Britain's women's hockey team can still claim a semi-final berth after rescuing a 2-2 draw against Argentina. Team GB were 2-0 down before goals from Sarah Thomas and Mel Clewlow saw them snatch a point against the world ranked No 2 team.

07.10 - Easy for Serena

Serena Williams has breezed into the third round of the singles tournament following a 6-2, 6-0 win over Australia's Samantha Stosur.

Competing in the singles for the first time at an Olympics, Williams needed just 44 minutes to wrap up victory and dropped just six points on her serve in the match.

07.02 - Golden hat-trick for Phelps

Another day, and another gold medal for the swimming phenomenon that is Michael Phelps. Welcome to day four of the Beijing Games.

America's Phelps has clocked up his ninth Olympic gold medal and third in China with another stunning victory - and another new world record - this time in the 200 metres freestyle.

Great Britain's hopes of adding to Rebecca Adlington's incredible win of yesterday, were dashed when Liam Tancock, an outsider for a medal in the 100m backstroke, could only finish sixth.

The 50m world-record holder Tancock led at the halfway mark before being reeled in by America's Aaron Peirsol.