Twitter is the go-to platform for sports fans this summer with athletes, commentators and stars providing a fantastic new perspective to the Games.
We were delighted to see a new face on Twitter yesterday as BBC presenter and former Olympian Ian Thorpe (@IanThorpe) signed up and sent his first Tweet. Welcome Ian, glad to have you on board!
@garylineker@clarebalding1 Gary this is just for u, my first tweet. I thought you looked likeu were missing me last night….#london2012— Ian Thorpe (@IanThorpe) August 2, 2012
There are so many only-on-Twitter moments during the Games that Ian will be able to get involved in. For example Bradley Wiggins’ (@bradwiggins) won gold in the men’s road cycling time trial yesterday, making this his 7th Olympic medal, more than any other British athlete in history.
His win was the most tweeted about moment on Twitter yesterday and this picture of him with his medal was shared over 1,000 times:
Pic: Bradley Wiggins poses proudly on his throne having won Time Trial
#RoadCyclinggold at#London2012 earlier today twitter.com/London2012/sta…— London 2012 (@London2012) August 1, 2012
And how did he celebrate this momentous occasion?
Well what a day, blind drunk at the minute and overwhelmed with all the messages, Thank You everyone it’s been emotional X
— Bradley Wiggins (@bradwiggins) August 2, 2012
It was gold for Army Captain Heather Stanning yesterday too. She took a two-year sabbatical from the military to concentrate on her rowing career and received this tweet from her battalion in Afghanistan as she won gold in the women’s coxless pairs:
32 Reg RA, Heather Stanning’s Regiment, celebrate in Afghanistan as women’s pair win Olympic Gold bit.ly/R75LV twitter.com/BritishArmy/st…
— British Army (@BritishArmy) August 1, 2012
Twitter is bringing fans closer to the thoughts and emotions of athletes as well. You no longer have to imagine the delight American swimmer @MichaelPhelps felt when he received a good-luck call from US president @BarackObama, because he immediately shared his thoughts with fans on Twitter.
Just got a pretty cool phone call on the way to the pool from Mr. President
@barackobama !!!#USA— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) August 1, 2012
And it’s not just the athletes who are tweeting. Cameras are getting in on the action as well. Here are some of our favorite photos from the last 24 hours:
Ok girls, just remember: you’re aiming for the hoop, not the camera.
#London2012 twitter.com/l2012bballcam/…— L2012 Basketball Cam (@l2012bballcam) August 2, 2012
Watch out, we’ve got a water-breather.
#London2012 twitter.com/L2012PoolCam/s…— L2012 Pool Camera (@L2012PoolCam) August 1, 2012
And finally, not content with his @cherylcole banter from yesterday, @TomDaley1994 tweeted pop star Molly King from the Saturdays (@molliethesats) today. Fingers crossed for a reply Tom, we’re all rooting for you!
Are you coming to watch any diving? RT
@molliethesats: At the Olympics baby!!!— Tom Daley (@TomDaley1994) August 2, 2012
We’re set for a dramatic 24 hours as the first week of the Games comes to a close. Watch out for the following @TeamGB athletes on Twitter to get all the action:
Tonight
Tomorrow