Drugs cheats at London 2012 will be caught but athletes who put in world record-breaking performances should be given the benefit of the doubt, the Olympics’ world body said yesterday.

A senior figure in the London 2012 Games has warned against "irresponsible" and "destructive" judgment of the Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen after a leading coach described her world-record breaking race as "disturbing".

Bookmakers have pledged to refund all bets placed on who would light the Olympic cauldron after some of Britain’s greatest Olympians teamed up with young athletes for the honour.