London 2012 Olympics: Day 12

The latest news and views from the London 2012 Olympics

These are some of today’s best stories and features from The Independent…

Crowned: Sir Chris Hoy - our finest Olympian, our finest Olympics. The knight in navy Lycra pedalled his way past all others last night, securing the crown of Great Britain's most successful ever Olympian in his final Games appearance…www.independent.co.uk

James Lawton: Finally it's enough. Hoy gives a parting gift to the nation. The man who it seemed would never be sated, for whom winning had become the most insistent need in his life, wrote his own eulogy in the moment of his greatest triumph here last night…www.independent.co.uk

Leap of faith as Grabarz secures a high jump bronze. At the very start of 2012, Charles van Commenee was asked from whence a surprise Olympic medal might materialise for the British track and field squad. “Maybe one of the high jump boys will come good,” the GB head coach replied…www.independent.co.uk

Brownlee brothers enjoy triathlon triumph. There was only one moment when Alistair Brownlee did not appear in absolute control of proceedings. It came as he lay sprawled on the bright blue surface that paves the final 100m of the triathlon, gasping for breath and cast a glance back down the home straight. Gold was already his but he wanted more…www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:04:13 AM
Here are a selection of pictures from yesterday...

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:19:06 AM
Michael Conlan of Ireland (L) celebrates his victory over Nordine Oubaali of France during the Men's Fly (52kg) Boxing (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:19:56 AM
Alistair Brownlee holds a Union Jack aloft as he crosses the finish line to win gold during the men's triathlon (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:20:10 AM
Silver medallist Nick Dempsey celebrates with his following the men's RS:X Sailing (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:20:23 AM
Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria wins gold in the men's 1500m final (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:20:40 AM
Sally Pearson of Australia crosses the line to win gold in the women's 100m hurdles final (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:21:02 AM
Robert Harting of Germany celebrates winning gold in the men's discus final (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:21:22 AM
Sir Chris Hoy competes in the men's keirin final (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:21:38 AM
Team GB on Twitter:
Morning @TeamGB fans - who is excited for today? Can we make it#WinningWednesday?

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:30:36 AM
Time for some finals from Eton Dorney! Go @TimBrabants

by Chirostuart via twitter 8/8/2012 8:31:48 AM
Supporting @timbrabants at #eton dorney. Win for Nottingham Tim

by flumpster2 via twitter 8/8/2012 8:31:53 AM
Canoe sprint: Tim Brabants is the kayak final shortly. Brabants won gold four years ago in Beijing.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:32:50 AM
Team GB on Twitter:
#Canoe @TimBrabants will be in action in the next final of Men's Kayak Single 1000m in lane 1. Can he add to @teamGB's medal tally?

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:34:09 AM
Canoe sprint: We are underway in the final. Tim Brabants is in lane 1.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:38:43 AM
Canoe sprint: Canada's Adam van Koeverden looking comfortable for the gold already.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:40:15 AM
Canoe sprint: Team GB’s Tim Brabants is not looking good for a medal.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:41:07 AM
Canoe sprint: Eirik Veras Larsen of Norway wins the gold with Canada's Adam van Koeverden claiming the silver. Max Hoff of Germany with the bronze.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:42:19 AM
Canoe sprint: Team GB’s Tim Brabants fails to defend his title.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:43:01 AM
Get ready for a few days of good weather, but sadly it won't see us to the end of the London Olympics as rain in southern parts of the UK could dampen the closing celebrations at the Olympic Stadium... www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:48:31 AM
It has welcomed many distinguished guests, but few so highly respected. Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to ever run a four-minute mile was in the Olympic Stadium to see last night’s men’s 1,500 metres final, more by Kevin Rawlinson... www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:49:18 AM
Phillips Idowu made a critical miscalculation. He saw himself at the centre of the Olympics rather than just another contender for some of the greatest glory available in any corner of sport, another sportsman living on the edge of perfect fitness and potential disaster. James Lawton on Idowu's miscalculation www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:53:35 AM
Britain's cycling success has been marred by French hints of cheating. They're peddling lies says Tom Peck, who explains the secret of our success... www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:54:02 AM
Olympic Question Time Your queries answered including: In the Olympic Stadium, what are the black square things you can see in front of spectators? In some races, it appears at least half the field are wearing yellow shoes! When did this become a trend, and why? What's so special about yellow? And So China and the US are top of the medals table – but they have the most people to choose from. Who would win by head of population? www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:55:33 AM
Champion Paralympians will not be featured on individual stamps as their Olympic counterparts have been, according to the British Paralympic Association... www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 8:56:57 AM
Eirik Veras Larsen of Norway celebrates his gold after winning the men's kayak single (k1) 1000m final. Team GB's Tim Brabants finished in 8th (Getty Images)

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:00:06 AM
Canoe sprint: Norway's Eirik Veras Larsen won gold in the kayak sprint as Tim Brabants, defending his Olympic crown, finished eighth. World champion Adam van Koeverden claimed silver, while Max Hoff from Germany won the bronze. Brabants was unable to keep up with the leaders at Eton Dorney.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:06:56 AM
Athletics: The men’s decathlon (first event) is underway with Team GB’s Daniel Awde in heat 4 of the 100m.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:16:59 AM
Olympic Question Time Your queries answered including: In the Olympic Stadium, what are the black square things you can see in front of spectators? In some races, it appears at least half the field are wearing yellow shoes! When did this become a trend, and why? What's so special about yellow? And So China and the US are top of the medals table – but they have the most people to choose from. Who would win by head of population? www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:21:27 AM
Send your questions to olympicquestions@independent.co.uk, or tweet using #indyolympics, live from the stadium — or your sofa.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:21:39 AM
Disappointing news as a vandal has attacked a postbox painted gold in Jessica Ennis's home city to celebrate her Olympic triumph. Read more here... www.independent.co.uk

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:25:28 AM
Team GB on Twitter:
#Athletics @SophieHitchon has thrown 67.21 in the first round of the Hammer throw. A very good start. #OurGreatestTeam

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:28:01 AM
Team GB on Twitter:
#Athletics In Lane 8 of the Men's Decathlon - it's @GBDawde! How will he compare to his Beijing performance? #OurGreatestTeam

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:30:32 AM
I hope to put on a great show and do you a proud !Keep your fingers crossed ;)For those in the stadium, noise ! Lots of noise :)
— Daniel Awde (@GBDawde) August 7, 2012

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:31:41 AM
Jerome Taylor:
If you think pace inside the velodrome has been frantic, wait until BMXing begins later today: t.co #indyolympics #olympics

by Jerome Taylor via twitter edited by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:32:01 AM
Awde in lane 8.. Come on @TeamGB!!

by TheTrainingUnit via twitter 8/8/2012 9:33:04 AM
Briton Awde to come up in Heat 4 of Men's Decathlon 100m #TeamGB

by MarkTheMiggy via twitter 8/8/2012 9:33:19 AM
Athletics: Big cheers from the crowd as Team GB’s Daniel Awde is introduced to the crowd ahead of the 100m.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:34:30 AM
Athletics: Team GB’s Daniel Awde begins his decathlon in style by winning heat 4 of the 100m in a new personal best. That is worth 926 points!

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:35:42 AM
Athletics: Team GB’s Daniel Awde begins his decathlon in style by winning heat 4 of the 100m in a new personal best 10.71. That is worth 926 points!

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:37:23 AM
Athletics: Team GB’s Daniel Awde is in 7th place after one event in the decathlon with 926 points.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:39:15 AM
Athletics: Long jump next up for Team GB’s Daniel Awde in the decathlon.

by Majid Mohamed 8/8/2012 9:40:13 AM
Awde-inspiring run by Daniel Awde for Team GB #indyolympics

by MisterBus via twitter 8/8/2012 9:42:41 AM
Great start to decathlon by #teamgb Daniel Awde - lifetime best in 100m. The dedication by multi-discipline athletes is inspiring #olympics

by PeakHealthClub via twitter 8/8/2012 9:42:55 AM
was just watching the olympic running and saw our Daniel Awde, what a hottie, #blondies

by tashabarrett via twitter 8/8/2012 9:42:58 AM