In the aquatics centre, Australian legend Ian Thorpe is becoming one of the most likeable men on television. He doesn't tend to dwell on the minutae of technique as his American colleagues do, but his tremendous charm and perspective on the human side of the sport could make him as big a success in front of the camera as he was in the pool.
Thorpe and BBC commentary colleague Mark Foster
The most under-appreciated member of the team, for me, is Matthew Syed. The former British table tennis number one is a student of sport at the highest level. Fiercely intelligent, he nonetheless analyses in a straightforward manner. What makes him stand out for me is his honesty. Asked on tonight's late magazine programme to give an opinion on a cycling ruling, Syed's reply was first that one of the great elements of the Olympics was that nobody was an expert on every sport, and that he'd love to hear a perspective from the cycling world. Only then did he reveal his gut reaction, as essentially a layman. So many analysts will bluff their way through a mediocre answer rather than admit a lack of expertise, Syed is a breath of fresh air.
A final note, off topic - amid a glorious day for the British team, many people will miss the significance of the British basketball losing to Spain by a single point. This is an absolutely fantastic performance by the home side. Spain are the only team in the tournament with any serious pretensions to challenge the American 'dream team', and a clear number two in the world. Going into the final quarter, Britain trailed 61-49, but rocked the Spanish with a stunning run led by captain and NBA all-star Luol Deng, who scored 26 points as GB eventually fell short, 79-78.
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