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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Amitai Winehouse

London 2012: Ten best of the web

Dmitry Starodubtsev
Dmitry Starodubtsev of Russia breaks his pole during the men's pole vault final at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Whovians rejoice

A petition to get Doctor Who to light the Olympic Flame, referencing an episode from 2006, has begun to gather momentum. Obvious questions, such as how a fictional character will light an object in the real world, have not stopped nearly 15,000 people from supporting the petition (at the time of writing). Who to light the flame? Probably not.

Travelator: Rise of the Machines

On the way to Bled for the rowing World Championships, GB's eight-man team took a moment out to have a small amount of fun. Demonstrating fine technique, the team took advantage of a travelator to entertain themselves, and the public at large.

When poles go wrong

In what would be a terrifying moment for anyone, Dmitry Starodubtsev's pole snapped at the World Athletics Championships as he was attempting a 5.75m vault. The Russian escaped with only a hand injury, which undoubtedly would have been much more severe had he not landed safely on the mat. He'd have to hope that if and when he attempts the same thing next summer in London, physics won't fight back in such a dangerous manner.

Fighting on the Toon

The Colombian boxing team have taken up residence in Newcastle ahead of next year's Games. Training at Gateshead International Stadium, they will live in the student area of Jesmond. Their training is in preparation for the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Azerbaijan, and if this camp is successful, they will take up residence again the following year.

Going round in circles

Herne Hill Velodrome, the last remaining finals venue from the 1948 Olympics still in active use, has reopened after a £500,000 revamp.

Third dimension or Twilight Zone?

Getty Images plans to capture the London Olympics in not one, not two, but three whole dimensions. Word has since (not) broken from Sony that they are going to revive Betamax for the eventual home release, and that Nintendo are planning to release a special edition Virtual Boy athletics game to coincide with the Games, both of which are expected to have a larger potential market than 3D photos.

Judo rioter takes a fall

A looter who took part in the Manchester riots was jailed for eight months, despite claiming that he was an Olympic hopeful and that a custodial sentence would impair his being part of the squad and the Olympics. He claimed he took jewellery from the street, knowing it was stolen, after returning from training. The British Judo Association said he was in a club, but has never been in any trials or near any squads.

Good week/bad week

Chris Froome, who won stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, the first Briton to win a mountain-top stage since 1989.

The GB team in Daegu scored fewer points (medals converted into a numerical system) than the previous two world championships in Osaka and Berlin. This is despite getting the coach's desired medal haul of seven demanded before the championships.

Tweet of the week

"Its official, @LongJumpChris was officially the worst room-mate ever, his dancing and his y-fronts offended my eyes #mentallyscarred" – Andy Turner The bronze medal-winning hurdler becomes involved in twitter banter with his world championships room-mate Chris Tomlinson,

Things you may have missed on guardian.co.uk

Pride the Lion has been announced as the Team GB mascot for the Olympics, taking inspiration from Willie of the 1966 World Cup, but Simon Hattenstone was not impressed

a profile of the dressage rider Carl Hester, describing the discipline as "gymnastics for horses"

The culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, suggests that the Paralympics should be moved before the Olympics in future years, as an appetiser, rather than an afterthought.

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