London Eye: Basketball coach barks his disapproval at puzzle page

GB women’s basketball coach Tom Maher (Getty Images)

Scariest coach of the week award goes to GB women's basketball's Tom Maher who, after leading Australia, New Zealand and China to Olympic Games, doesn't limit his particular way of working just to his latest charges. After telling one of them she was "bulls******g" him, by shooting instead of passing in an opening training session on Tuesday, he stunned London Eye when he mounted an inquisition into why (in his opinion) sudokus don't run daily in The Independent's sister title i. "Only two a week? Why?" Maher barked. He's ok really, say his players. "You have to be told when you are doing wrong," says squad member Azania Stewart. "And being blunt is the best way to do it." London Eye didn't quite have the nerve to be blunt and tell Maher that i does actually have a daily sudoku!

Semenya praises Mandela's support

On the eve of her first Olympics, Caster Semenya has paid tribute to Nelson Mandela's support in getting her through the "dark days" that followed her humiliating gender tests in the wake of her 800m win at the 2009 World Championships.

"The first time I met Mandela he was just looking at me as a tiny girl," she said. "I was a little bit small but he said: 'I believe in you, so you go out there and make me proud.' So I kept the spirit and the legacy.

"Everything I do, I do it for him. He made me believe in the dark days after my victory. He inspired me a lot and he continues to do so."

Olympic drinks are on Sir Clive

Sir Clive Woodward has not lost the knack of knowing how to win friends and influence people. Yesterday, there was a 6.45am meeting for the Team GB management, now installed in the Olympic Village. So his arrival with two trays of coffees went down a treat. Woodward is the team's deputy chef de mission, a job that presumably entails more than being a high-paid tea boy.

Tweets of the day

Really sorry to announce that I will not be competing at the Olympics. I'm heartbroken and sad as can be but I'm just not ready yet. Andrea Petkovic, German tennis player

Just arrived @2012etondorney. cloudy and windy, but the course looks amazing! Getting ready with #TeamUSA! Esther Lofgren, American rower