The culmination of 20 odd years of potential for Murray will be winning Wimbledon, not winning Olympic gold. If Federer decided he can't be bothered to motivate himself for an Olympic final, then the guy has gone down a lot in my estimation. He's a sports star, he should be up for anything whether it be a gold medal match, a Grand Slam final or an ATP Tour event.

Time will tell. If he doesn't progress from here we can adjust it down to a near-nothing achievement. But if he goes on to win a major or decimate Federer in one, we can say it was well deserved.

I wouldn't have said Federer was not taking it seriously. I think the Del Potro match took it out of him (I know Murray has played all that mixed doubles, but come on, playing mixed doubles isn't like going 19-17 in a final set against Del Potro who definitely was taking the Olympics seriously as can be seen by how pumped he was about getting bronze.

But overall Murray played the best match he has done in a big game, and he blew Federer away.

I don't think this should really surprise people though. I would have said if Federer played Murray 10 times in a major final I would expect Federer to win 7 or 8 and Murray to win 2 or 3. The probabilities of it mean that at some point Federer would be slightly off his game when Murray is on hot form and Murray would win that one. I don't see that as being a change in the balance of power, although Federer's age may mean in about 2 years there is a change in the balance between him and Murray.

Will this be the biggest success of Murray's career? Possibly. Depends on how Nadal's fitness recovers. As Federer ages, if Nadal never comes back to being the same player, then we'll have about 3-4 years of Djokovic and Murray at the top, and I think Murray might sneak a Grand Slam or two off Djokovic. If Nadal comes back to being the force of old then it will be Nadal who takes those Slams off Djokovic.

Wish the beeb would get shut of that idiot doing the off track interviews.Daughter has told me about the interview with cavendish he did and getting a gobful off Cav.The highlights programme was quite good other night with Denise Lewis and James Cracknell...was hoping he waould tell her to shut here biased gob.

Quote ="fc baldy"Wish the beeb would get shut of that idiot doing the off track interviews.Daughter has told me about the interview with cavendish he did and getting a gobful off Cav.The highlights programme was quite good other night with Denise Lewis and James Cracknell...was hoping he waould tell her to shut here biased gob.'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/8421609.stm This guy? You want a laugh www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/20 ... nt_in.html Read the comments section more than the actual piece

Quote ="fc baldy"Wish the beeb would get shut of that idiot doing the off track interviews.Daughter has told me about the interview with cavendish he did and getting a gobful off Cav.The highlights programme was quite good other night with Denise Lewis and James Cracknell...was hoping he waould tell her to shut here biased gob.'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/8421609.stm This guy? You want a laugh www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/davidbond/20 ... nt_in.html Read the comments section more than the actual piece

No....phil jones i think....cringeworthy at best,mind you foster and cram was saying that how the crowds have come out to support the marathon and that its good to people being given the chance to see live action....didnt they see "sir" wiggo on weds giving it welly,no as they dont mention other sports as the olympics have really started now.

Bolt just had a little jog into the final.At least the druggie Chambers hasnt qualified...Gemili just ran 10.06 and just missed out...finished 3rd behind blake.

On Chambers
I'm glad he ran

The thing is either give a life ban and then no complaints from me if he doesn't run
or
give a 2 year punishment and after that, punishment served, no complaints if he runs.

You can't give a technical 2 year ban then after it's over carry on punishing a person.

Life ban for me...he knew what he was doing.

Yet no mention of Justin Gatlin who's been caught twice?!?!?!

How do people learn/reabilitate though?

2 years off has really killed his form anyway, it's as good as a life ban

Nobody is worse than Jake Humphrey - why we need a presenter in the velodrome ill never know as every other year they just show non stop cycling, interviews and medal ceremonies - if i have to hear him say " tell us what it feels like..." one more time ill scream

Lineker's live interview with the 2 gymnasts just topped anything else I've seen for cringeworthy moments. He got one of their names wrong and asked questions about the event which made it clear he'd no idea what actually happened! Asking smith how he felt after his routine while he waited for the last man to go when he was the last man-embarrassing!

Have to say though, some of the 5 live radio coverage has been superb. Alan green's work on the rowing is brilliant as are some of the presenters like chapman and murray who clearly have a lot more sporting knowledge than the muppets on TV

Best commentator is Gary Herbert in the rowing.....totally biased and patriotic but bloody funny.All the presenters have been duff tbh barring Gaby logan.

Caught snippets of radio 5 whilst running about in car and they seem much more at ease and jokey

Here comes blade runner....what a insperation to everyone.

normal service resumed on the track...no qualifiers for 100mtrs...400mtrs and 1500mtrs

At the risk of sounding contraversial...I have nothing against the guy and respect everything he's had to overcome, but I don't think he should have been allowed to compete. What happens when the technology means the spring in the blades will give someone an advantage over an able bodied athlete?

Unique
Sensational
Awesome
Incredible
Natural

Brilliant
Outstanding
Legendary
Terrific

Usain Bolt is THE man!

I was gutted Gatlin got bronze. While I hate drug use of any kind, and don't think we should be overly sympathetic towards drug cheats, when you read the story of someone like David Millar I think there has to be an opportunity to rehabilitate and come back, especially if you you help send positives messages in the future.

Being caught twice for me however is unforgiveable and should result in a life ban from the sport. Gay would have been a much more deserving medallist.

Agreed. That was the only thing (apart from Asafa Powell pulling up) that spoiled an otherwise epic race. Gatlin's been done twice for drugs and had no place being in that final. Dwain Chambers should never have been allowed in the Olympics at all. The only way to get through to drug cheats is stpp them from ever competing in the Olympis for life, regardless of who they are and where they come from.

I can understand the stance that drug cheats should be banned for life regardless of any circumstances however as I said above people like David Millar show what can be done with a second chance. Therefore, I have no huge issue with Chambers, who was actually a breath of fresh air in his interviews.

The rules should be amended to a mandatory 2 year ban, plus the next Olympics if they fall outside the ban, or a mandatory 4. Being caught a second time, automatic life ban.

Either way great race, and you could see Bolt winning it after he won the semi final with such ease. Shame about Powell not finishing under 10 seconds too. Does everything seem like a little bit of an anti-climax after last nights events with the atmosphere etc?

The only problem with Herbert was his premature over excitement. I kept thinking we were about to cross the line when there were still 500m to go.