London Olympics diary: Quirky moments around the Games

Day eight, "Super Saturday" as it's been dubbed. A veritable feast of sport - and lots of asides too.

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Trouble and strife

St Kitts and Nevis sprinter Kim Collins dramatically dropped out of the Olympic 100m heats after falling out with his team for visiting his wife.

The 36-year-old, who won the 2003 world 100m title, said on Twitter: "My fans. I won't lie. Won't be running."

Collins carried the St Kitts and Nevis flag at the opening ceremony but the country's Olympic Committee said they had not heard from him for three days.

Collins commented: "Even men in prison get their wives to visit."

Later he told BBC Radio 5 live: "I feel I should be able to stay in a hotel with my wife without the team's permission whether they like it or not. I should have that. The village is great, the staff and everyone is friendly but I really needed some peace and quiet to get away to focus.

"This is the last best chance I would have of a medal. I said I could repeat what I did in Daegu where I didn't come in as a favourite but I just came in and wowed everybody. I had been working very hard to get my body to where it should be and now this happens.

"This is how it ends on a really sad note - I could be wrong but I don't see why it should be such a problem. I am a grown man with kids and am about to have grandkids. Like most other athletes I qualified to be here, I don't know about the other officials but I qualified to be here.

"I'm about to change my flight and go home. To me it's a done deal I have been too disrespected for too long. I did not come to London to watch the 100m final on TV."

Former British sprinter and hurdler Kriss Akabusi tried to persuade Collins to stay on in case there was a chance of him being allowed to run in the relay.

But Collins replied: "The problem is they are asking me to abandon my wife for my team and that is not going to happen. I am not walking away, I have been pushed out."

I do Tom Tom Tom, I do Tom Tom

Tom Holt risked having sand kicked in his face with his public proposal

Romance was in the air at the beach volleyball today.

Between matches during the second session, Tom Holt risked having sand kicked in his face (literally, perhaps, as well as metaphorically) when he got down on bended knee on the court to propose to girlfriend Elfi Czinegeova.

She said yes!

A crowd of thousands witnessed the moment when the pair, who are amateur beach volleyball players, agreed to tie the knot.

Maybe for the first dance at their wedding they'll choose the Benny Hill theme tune, which has been a huge part of the daily soundtrack at Horse Guards Parade throughout the beach volleyball competition.

Velodrome's McCartney gig

Laura Trott, Dani King and Jo Rowsell were all smiles as they picked up their medals after winning team pursuit gold in the Velodrome on Saturday evening.

And for the jubilant crowd - which included former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney - one national anthem wasn't enough.

After God Save the Queen faded, fans broke into an impromptu version of the Beatles' classic Hey Jude, which Macca most recently performed at the Olympic opening ceremony last Friday.

Sir Paul took on more of a conducting than a singing role this time - and some reckoned that helped to make it - what's the word? - better.

Olympic mountain to climb

You might think it's job done after athletes have finished on the track at the Olympic Stadium. Apparently not.

They still have to negotiate four flights of stairs to do interviews then reach the exit, according to the Associated Press.

"We need an elevator," said American Deedee Trotter said after finishing her heat in the 400m. "This is tougher than the race."

Heptathlete Hyleas Fountain felt the same way, especially after competing in four events.

"It is a pain," she said. "Especially when you have your bag full of cleats."

Bets on when mountaineering becomes an Olympic sport?

Venezuelan leader makes his point

Hugo Chavez is delighted with his countryman's performance

Remember our story about Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo, who delighted passengers when he wore his gold medal on the tube and DLR?

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has declared Limardo a national hero and wants to present him with the country's highest honour.

This will include giving Limardo a replica of the sword used by the 19th century independence leader Simon Bolivar.

The shock of victory

Shock is written all over Katherine Copeland's face

Katherine Copeland seemed to be in total shock after winning gold in the women's lightweight double sculls with Sophie Hosking.

Celebrating in the boat after the race, the expression on her face told the whole story.

And she then confirmed the feeling in her immediate post-race interview.

"I can't believe this is real that we just won….we just won the Olympics!!" she told the BBC.

"I have been trying all week not to think about it because it's made me cry every time, but when we were in the last 50 metres I just couldn't believe it.

"I know this isn't the Oscars but can I just say thanks to my Mum and Dad and to (my coach) James Harris, because when I went to Tees I was really rubbish."