London 2012
The Olympics is a wonderful showcase for women in sports, and so many sports are represented too.
Team GB's first medal was won by Lizzie Armitstead in the Cycling Road Race. She took silver behind Marianne Vos of the Netherlands.
The first medal for swimming was won by Becky Adlington in the 400m freestyle. She won Bronze. The amazing Camille Muffat (France) won the gold.
The first Gold medal was won by Helen Glover and Heather Stanning (Rowing) in the women's pair.
These are all tremendous inspiring women, they work hard, they train hard, they are so dedicated, and I'm so proud of them.
They've been joined on the podia by the Equestrian Eventing team (silver). This is one of the few sports where men and women compete against each other. Zara Philips (HMQ's eldest granddaughter) is a valued member of the team as is Mary King, who is a classy lady in her 50's competing in her 5th Olympics.Tina Cook, Nicola Wilson and William Fox-Pitt make up the rest of the team (We'll let him be an honorary woman!!)
We have more succesful women rowers (Kat Copeland, Sophie Hosking, Anna Watkins and Katherine Grainger), cyclists (Victoria Pendleton, Dani King, Jo Rowsell and Laura Trott).
In Judo Gemma Gibbons won silver (78kg) and Karina Bryant won bronze (78kg+).
The women's football team won their group undefeated (beating Brazil!) and were knocked out by Canada in the QFs.
And the most golden girl of all : Jessica Ennis, who won the Women's Heptathlon on sat 4th. I cannot imagine how anyone trains for 7 different disciplines, but she does. A foot injury kept her out of competing at Beijing, but she has fought back and worked hard on improving her field events.
Anyone who has a daughter will be pleased to see these wonderful women, they are fabulous role models for our daughters ( and for us). Hardworking, dedicated, focused, classy women.
