London Eye: Oliver wants more sleep to achieve dream

After years of hard work and preparation, the Great British weightlifter Jack Oliver's Olympic dream nearly ended before it started, after he slept through his alarm yesterday. "I was meant to be up at six o'clock, go downstairs and have a nice pre-weigh-in shower and a bit of a stretch," the 21-year-old said. "At five past seven I heard a banging on the door, looked at my phone and thought, 'I'm in trouble! I'm going to have a very angry coach!'"

Fortunately, Oliver was able to "get dressed in 30 seconds" and managed to jump on a later bus to the ExCel, where he set a new personal best. "The extra hour of sleep must have done me good," he said.

'Hot pants' Pendleton will warm up in style

With the track cycling events starting at the Velodrome today, Great Britain, have unveiled a new weapon to succeed over their rivals – battery-powered, self-heating "hot pants".

Britain's cyclists, including Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy, who will both take part in team sprint events today, will wear the high-tech shorts, individually tailored heating items which gently warm the leg muscles before a race to the optimum 38C.

The technology has taken 18 months to develop by Adidas, British Cycling and Loughborough University, and was meant to be top-secret, but the crafty Australians have revealed they have made their own version and will also be sporting them at the Velodrome today.

Tweets of the day

Hands up who's just generally feeling proud to be a Brit right now? #teamGB

Chris Cook, GB swimmer

YESSSSSS!! Absolutely delighted for @bradwiggins and @chrisfroome. History made today.

Sir Chris Hoy, GB cyclist

As if being the 1st British Tour de France winner didn't make enough history, @bradwiggins just won his 7th Olympic medal! GOLD. #proud

Mark Cavendish, GB cyclist

7: Olympic number of the day

The number of golds Britain's track cyclists won in Beijing.