Steve Redgrave. Wasim Akram. Scott Verplank.

The story begins on water and ends on ice. Henley, Oxfordshire, July 1986. Gerry Macken and Pat McDonagh, from Dublin’s Neptune Rowing Club, were training for the town’s prestigious regatta.

Amy Childs reportedly "freaked out" and demanded an ambulance be called for her after breaking a nail.

Chris Hoy tonight became the most successful Briton in Olympic history with six gold medals after winning the keirin at the London 2012 velodrome.

Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie became the most successful sailor in Olympic history after today securing a fourth successive gold medal.

Sebastian Coe has refused to call Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian of all time — despite the American winning more medals than any other athlete in history.

Bradley Wiggins’ first class performance has got the stamp of approval – with the Royal Mail producing a commemorative stamp in his honour.

Bradley Wiggins became the first man to win the Tour de France and Olympic gold in the same year with an imperious victory in the London 2012 time-trial.

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.

A vast worldwide audience is expected to tune in to watch the opening ceremony of the London Olympics tonight.

The eyes of the world are on London today as the final countdown to the start of the 2012 Olympics begins.

The BBC has apologised to viewers after decathlon great Daley Thompson made an anti-Irish joke.

Chris Hoy is set to be named later today as the flagbearer for Team GB at Friday’s opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins is to seek further success in the first week of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Bradley Wiggins is already seeking further glory after yesterday celebrating the greatest achievement of his career as the first British winner of the Tour de France.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived tonight at a star-studded gala dinner celebrating the Britain's Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Steve Redgrave has warned there may be some protests against Dwain Chambers taking part in the Olympics from other members of the British team at London 2012 because of his drugs past.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is targeting a return to action next season.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher is targeting a return to action next season.

A record-breaking big wave surfer has taken on what is believed to be one of the biggest waves ever surfed.

Actor David Walliams has completed his 140-mile charity swim along the River Thames, raising more than £1m.

Somewhere late at night in June, after crossing the Mississippi, the legs will begin to burn and the dark night will close in. That’s when the cyclist begins to question their sanity

Ireland's newest golf star Shane Lowry is determined to make the right impression on and off the course in his new career.

Colin Montgomerie, new US Tour sensation Camilo Villegas and ex-US Open champions Retief Goosen and Michael Campbell are to compete in an 18-hole skins event in Bahrain next month to mark the completion of the new Montgomerie-designed championship golf course.

Everyone in the Laoshan Velodrome was ready to usher Chris Hoy into the company of Olympic greats – except the Scot himself.

Amy Winehouse has been voted the ultimate heroine by UK youngsters in a poll.

The Olympic torch relay was hit by demonstrations by Tibet campaigners as it made its way through a snowy London today.

Pulp Fiction star Samuel L Jackson brought some colour to the fairway today as he joined a host of stars at a celebrity golf tournament.

Padraig Harrington is back playing in Europe this week for the first time since his Open Championship victory – and he is back at Carnoustie for it.

THE battle for top spot on the European Tour order of merit resumes this week having been largely in abeyance for the past six weeks or so as the leading protagonists concentrated on the FedEx Trophy play-offs in the US followed by the Seve Trophy at the Heritage club over the weekend.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce today that he will quit within a year, following one of the most serious political crises of his premiership.

Irish singer and charity campaigner Bob Geldof has come fifth in a poll of great British heroes.

Rocker Alice Cooper and EastEnders hard man Ross Kemp were today confirmed to take part in a star-studded golfing tournament.

Comedian Frank Skinner, double gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and actress Kathy Burke – best known as Waynetta Slob – are the new stars of Who’s Who 2006.

Paul Casey shared the lead in the Dunhill Links championship after going to the turn at Carnoustie today in just 32 shots – one of them an absolute shocker.

Olympic legend Steve Redgrave insists not even the lure of a potential return to Strathclyde Country Park will tempt him out of retirement.

The European team today taking part in a celebrity golf tournament prepared for the final day of the competition with another late night in the bar.

Clive Woodward admits he faces a huge challenge in his new appointment as Southampton’s technical director but is confident he can make the transition from rugby union to be a success at St Mary’s.

The Olympic spotlight shone today on the most famous sports star to have walked the Earth: Muhammad Ali.

Northern Ireland must row in behind London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games to help boost the local economy, it was claimed today.

Matthew Pinsent today called time on a glorious rowing career by announcing his retirement from the sport.

IOC president Jacques Rogge has picked out Paula Radcliffe’s tearful marathon exit as one of the most moving moments of the entire Olympics.