This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19159463#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
London 2012: Cameron hails Team GB's 'golden summer' London 2012: Britain hails record Olympic gold tally
(40 minutes later)
  
A "truly golden summer" is how the PM has hailed British success, as Team GB achieved their best gold medal haul since the 1908 Olympics. Britain is celebrating Team GB's success after its athletes achieved their best gold medal haul since the 1908 Olympics.
Sir Chris Hoy has won his sixth Olympic gold medal with victory in the keirin to take GB's gold medal tally to 22. Sir Chris Hoy won his sixth Olympic gold medal with victory in the keirin to take GB's gold medal tally to 22.
Earlier, fellow cyclist Laura Trott won her second Olympic gold, and Britain's riders won the team dressage. Prime Minister David Cameron described the successes as "a golden summer" for the team and the country.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he hoped athletes' efforts to "bring home the bling" were not over yet.
Among the medal-winning athletes were cyclist Laura Trott, who won her second Olympic gold, and Britain's equestrians in the team dressage event.
Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee won gold and bronze respectively in front of a huge crowd at Hyde Park.Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee won gold and bronze respectively in front of a huge crowd at Hyde Park.
Mr Johnson offered "fulsome congratulations" to Team GB and said: "Our athletes' efforts to bring home the bling have delivered a tally not seen by any British team in over three generations.
"But it's not over yet. I join the nation in its hope that Team GB is set to deliver more sporting brilliance."
Sir Chris's victory in the sprint event means he has overtaken Sir Steve Redgrave as the athlete with the highest ever number of GB Olympic gold medals.Sir Chris's victory in the sprint event means he has overtaken Sir Steve Redgrave as the athlete with the highest ever number of GB Olympic gold medals.
Nick Dempsey won a silver medal in windsurfing while cyclist Victoria Pendleton took silver in the sprint. The pair hugged at the side of the track, before the ceremony where Sir Chris tearfully accepted his medal.
Team GB are third in the medal table behind China and the United States with 22 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze. Also during the day, Nick Dempsey won a silver medal in windsurfing, while cyclist Victoria Pendleton took silver in the sprint.
David Cameron said: "This has really turned into a golden summer for Team GB and for the whole of the UK." Team GB are third in the medal table - behind China and the United States - with 22 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This has really turned into a golden summer for Team GB and for the whole of the UK."
Later he tweeted: "Victoria Pendleton's final race made us all proud...as did Chris Hoy and Laura Trott's spectacular Golds."
'Stepping up''Stepping up'
Sir Chris's described his second gold of the London Games as "the perfect end to my Olympic career".Sir Chris's described his second gold of the London Games as "the perfect end to my Olympic career".
"I wanted to win gold in front of my home crowd. I saw everyone stepping up to the plate and thankfully it worked out for me too."I wanted to win gold in front of my home crowd. I saw everyone stepping up to the plate and thankfully it worked out for me too.
"I'm 99.9% sure I won't be competing in Rio - how can you top this?," he added. "I'm 99.9% sure I won't be competing in Rio - how can you top this?" he added.
After victory in the omnium, 20-year-old Trott told the BBC: "I'm peaking at the right time and it's all thanks to the coaches really and the support of the crowd." After victory in the omnium, 20-year-old Trott told the BBC: "I'm peaking at the right time and it's all thanks to the coaches really, and the support of the crowd."
The omnium event is a pentathlon of cycling involving five different disciplines, including a two time trials, a scratch race, an individual pursuit and a points race. Pendleton - already a double Olympic gold medallist - could not claim a final victory in her last race before retiring from the sport.
Victoria Pendleton - already a double Olympic gold medallist - could not claim a final victory in her last race before retiring from the sport.
She lost out in the sprint to long-term rival, Australian Anna Meares, who she described as a "fantastic competitor".She lost out in the sprint to long-term rival, Australian Anna Meares, who she described as a "fantastic competitor".
In equestrian sports, the trio of Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Charlotte Dujardin secured Britain's first ever medal in the dressage grand prix special, the team event.
Speaking afterwards, Hester said: "It's a combination of so many years of dreaming about it and it finally happening. Those girls are cool customers and Charlotte is unbelievable for the amount of time she's been riding."
Earlier, the triathlon medal ceremony was delayed after bronze-medallist Jonny Brownlee collapsed after the finish.Earlier, the triathlon medal ceremony was delayed after bronze-medallist Jonny Brownlee collapsed after the finish.
His brother Alistair said: "That race was just unbelievable. I felt kind of in control right from the start and the crowds... I don't think I've ever come across anything near like that, and probably never will again.His brother Alistair said: "That race was just unbelievable. I felt kind of in control right from the start and the crowds... I don't think I've ever come across anything near like that, and probably never will again.
"My ears are still ringing from all that noise and it was absolutely amazing.""My ears are still ringing from all that noise and it was absolutely amazing."
The men's triathlon was one of a number of open events, such as the marathons and road cycling, that the public did not need a ticket to see.The men's triathlon was one of a number of open events, such as the marathons and road cycling, that the public did not need a ticket to see.
The brothers' mother, Cath, said: "It's very unreal. You don't think that those boys running through that line and winning those medals are your sons."The brothers' mother, Cath, said: "It's very unreal. You don't think that those boys running through that line and winning those medals are your sons."
In equestrian, the trio of Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Charlotte Dujardin secured Britain's first ever medal in the dressage grand prix special, the team event.
The dressage discipline tests the understanding and communication between horse and rider, as they complete complex manoeuvres inside an arena.
Speaking afterwards Hester said: "It's a combination of so many years of dreaming about it and it finally happening. Those girls are cool customers and Charlotte is unbelievable for the amount of time she's been riding."
Other Team GB medal hopefuls include Robbie Grabarz in the men's high jump final.Other Team GB medal hopefuls include Robbie Grabarz in the men's high jump final.
In other developments:In other developments:
The chairman of Organising committee Locog, Lord Coe, said the Olympics had been "joyous".
"You know I travel on the Tube quite a lot to the stadium and around to the venues. Just sitting and talking to people, the way they're just embracing the Games, they're just celebrating this. I hope we can keep that going."
Organisers said they had seen a "big uplift" in ticket sales for the Paralympics which starts on 29 August.
A Locog spokeswoman said: "The Olympic Games has shown us that the UK has taken the Games to their heart and we are confident this will continue with the Paralympics."
London 2012 said before the Olympics started 1.4 million Paralympic tickets had been sold but will not be revealing further figures until the current Games are over.