Rio gossip: Keith Richards, Leonidas of Rhodes, the Iron Lady, Zac Efron

Swimming champion Michael Phelps meets future Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky

Wednesday, 10 August

Last updated 23:30 BST

Ten years ago, Michael Phelps was already a swimming star. But did the American know he was signing autographs in the presence of a future Olympic champion? Katie Ledecky, who has won two gold medals for the USA swim team in Rio, is the nine-year-old posing for a picture with her hero. (Darren Rovell)

And, according to historians, Phelps has equalled a record that has stood for more than 2,000 years. Leonidas of Rhodes won 12 individual titles (Phelps' 21 include relays) but the American has the chance to surpass that mark on Thursday. (Washington Post)

You train for 20 years to reach the Olympic Games and then officials forget to register you for your race. Polish swimmer Konrad Czerniak says he was "knocked off his feet" when he discovered he couldn't compete in the 100m freestyle. (Facebook)

Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszu, dubbed "the Iron Lady", has become a star in the pool with three gold medals, but it is her husband Shane Tusup who has proved the big hit on social media because of his enthusiastic celebrations. (Daily Mail)

Hollywood actor Zac Efron, star of films such as High School Musical, 17 Again and Hairspray, is a big fan of the USA's gymnastics team...

After Malaysia won a first Olympic medal in the diving - silver in the women's 10m platform synchronized event - one of the country's national newspapers said the successful pair will receive "life-long pensions". Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong are set for 3,000 Malaysian ringgits (almost £600) per month. (Malaysian Star)

The duo certainly impressed Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who tweeted: "The country's first medal! Proud of this success."

Social media responded to the "body-shaming" of Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno by telling the 22-year-old just how inspiring she is. (Metro)

Great Britain's Will Fletcher has a novel idea for how to decide who should win the rowing following another postponement, tweeting: "Another day of racing cancelled! I vote rock paper scissors for each event!"

Howard Shu begins his bid for badminton gold at Rio on Thursday, but the American's first experience of the sport came when his mum asked another player's parent if their children could be doubles partners. Shu was turned down, with his mother told: "Your son sucks." (NBC Sports)

"The water's always greener on the other side..." Tom Daley; not a fan of funny coloured Olympic diving pools.

That bond between father and son, eh? Working together to realise an Olympic dream and, erm, showing each other a middle finger before each event. That's exactly what Canada's Santo Condorelli and dad Joseph do by the pool to get hyped before each race. (SwimSwam)

It requires hours and hours of dedication and attention from Olympic athletes, and that's just looking after their children...NBC has compiled a touching slideshow of competitors getting support from their little ones in Rio.(NBC Olympics)

Wang Sicong, the son of China's richest man and a prominent figure on blogging site Weibo, has had his say on the public row between Sun Yang and Mack Horton. His controversial post about the Australian's apology has garnered more than half a million responses. (Weibo)

Support for Team GB is coming from all corners, including the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards

Ever get that feeling you've seen someone before, but just can't work out where? Well Fox Sports has rounded up athletes in Rio who have famous dopplegangers.(Fox Sports)

Approximately 40,000 sold entry tickets went unused on the first full day of the Rio Games on Saturday, because of the long queues and delays at the Olympic Park and the Deodoro complex. (Folha de Sao Paulo)

"Bravo!" That was the message for Elina Svitolina from Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko after she beat Serena Williams in the women's tennis singles. He said: "It was a tense fight, confident performance and a well-deserved win over the world's number one! I wish you more victories in the Olympic tournament at Rio 2016!" (Facebook)

Brazil's judo gold medallist Rafaela Silva made a point of recognising the sacrifices her girlfriend Thamara Cezar made in helping her to the podium, including looking after the couple's three dogs. (Globo Esporte)

Ethiopian swimmer Robel Kiros Habte became a favourite in Brazil on Tuesday for his portly physique, and the 24-year-old has now opened up on his decision to choose a life in the pool. "Everyday you wake up in Ethiopia, you run," he said. "But I didn't want to run, I wanted to be a swimmer. We don't have any swimming coaches in Ethiopia, but I wanted to do something different." (AFP)

A memorable day for...Team Refugee's judokas

Popole Misenga and Yolande Bukasa Mabika, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, both went out of their respective judo competitions but found it "an honour to be in the Olympics".

"When I'm older, people will see my name in the books about Rio," said Mabika. "I'm representing many nations and my victory is a victory for all refugees in the world. I lost, but I'm here. The fight did not end today. The fight is not only judo, the fight is life." (BBC Sport)

"Go that way" - Hollywood's Matthew McConaughey gives the swimmers some much-needed direction

Actor Matthew McConaughey, known for his roles in The Wolf Of Wall Street and Dallas Buyers Club among others, has got a new favourite sport. The American is in Brazil - and backed his country's rugby sevens team, although they went out in the group stage. He told BBC Radio 5 live: "They've got it going on. If we get out of here saying the worst thing is they couldn't get the key to kick off the Games, then that's not too bad!"

Perry Barker, of the USA men's rugby sevens team, flew into action during their Group A match against Brazil. Barker leapt over the head of an opponent to prove you really can lift off if you set your mind to it... (Reddit)

You may have seen American swimmer Michael Phelps take his Olympic gold medal tally to 21. His compatriots and former opponents were, unsurprisingly, very pleased for him. Here's some of the reaction:

Deandre Jordan of the USA basketball team posted this photo. In case you're now thinking 'Wow, Michael Phelps is actually quite small', no, he isn't. Jordan is 6ft 9in

David Hasselhoff, most famous for playing a bodyguard in Baywatch and singing on top of the Berlin Wall, did a quick recreation in what might be the pool in his back garden

Buzz Aldrin, a man who has walked on the moon, was there to witness another great achievement by an American. He posted this video of himself saluting during the national anthem following Phelps' 20th gold. (Twitter)

One person who might not be as enamoured by the success of Phelps is his rival Chad le Clos. The South African's face when he realised Phelps had taken the gold in the men's 200m butterfly was a picture. A picture of dismay. (Reddit)

Speaking of faces, Phelps' pre-race 'game face' has become an internet meme. Which is nice. (Huffington Post)

Sticking with swimming, here's a great video of Great Britain swimming head coach Bill Furniss watching the men's relay team win a silver medal. Furniss seems to have fist-pumping down to a fine art. (BBC Radio 5 live)

• BBC Three's Rio Olympics round-up

• The superstitions of the Olympic Games (BBC Brasil)

Marcus Vinicius D'Almeida is known as 'Archery's Neymar' in Brazil

There was disappointment for Brazilian archer Marcus Vinicius D'Almeida as he was beaten in the first round. However, the 18-year-old, dubbed 'Archery's Neymar', can hold his head high after returning to compete in the city he and his parents fled 12 years ago because of safety concerns. You can see his story here. (BBC World)

Sports climbing has been added to the list of sports for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Here's a short video of a young man who may or may not be looking to compete in that discipline in four years' time. (Liveleak)

In one of the shocks of the Games so far, four-time Olympic gold medallist Serena Williams was beaten by Elina Svitolina in the tennis. American hurdler Lolo Jones did not take the news well. (Twitter)

Jones has been a prolific tweeter on all the goings on in Rio

Judy Murray posted this selfie taken by her two-time Wimbledon-winning son Andy.

Andy Murray is in action in the third round on Wednesday

How many types of booing are there at the Olympics, I hear you ask. Six. (BBC Magazine)

One of the defining photos of the Games so far is the selfie taken by South Korea gymnast Lee Eun-ju with North Korea's Hong Un-jong. Some people have suggested the North Korean could face punishment for fraternising with the 'enemy'. Fortunately, that seems unlikely. (BBC Asia)

Piers Morgan is busy making friends again. The television presenter suggested he couldn't understand anybody being happy with second place, prompting Olympic bronze medal-winning swimmer Cassandra Patten to ask how many Olympic medals Morgan had won.

Morgan is yet to respond to Patten's invitation

Morgan is presumably unimpressed by the achievements of Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui. The 100m backstroke bronze medallist has become an internet sensation thanks to her brilliant interviews and enthusiasm. (BBC Asia)

One person making friends in Brazil is swimmer Jack Burnell. He posted this picture of him with some friendly looking border staff. (Instagram)

Burnell posted the photo with the caption: "Border control officer: 'What is the purpose of your visit to Brazil?' Me: 'Purely, BUSINESS.' My security team is better than your security team!"

Bronze medal-winning Belgian judoka Dirk van Tichelt was punched in the face by a thief who stole his mobile phone. (Irish Independent)

French tennis player Benoit Paire has been sent home from the athletes' village. The French tennis federation's technical director Arnaud Di Pasquale called the player's behaviour "intolerable, unacceptable". (Sporting Life)

The curse of the Paddy Barnes selfie

Do not have your photo taken with Irish boxer Paddy Barnes.

Barnes is a big fan of a celebrity selfie but four of his new friends made surprise early exits in Rio. Tennis stars Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, plus boxer David Joyce, all posed happily for a photo with Barnes before finding themselves with more spare time than they wanted.

If it wasn't bad enough that Barnes had seemingly cursed others, he also lost his first-round match against Spain's Samuel Carmona.

American golfer Rickie Fowler (left) will be looking to avoid the Paddy Barnes curse when the golf starts on Thursday

Quotes of the day

"I think we're just better-looking." Men's pair rower Eric Murray (New Zealand) jokes sailing ability is secondary to why he and partner Hamish Bond are unbeaten in 68 races.

"The team's support has been everything to me. Leaving the (Olympic) Village to go home was one of the hardest things to do because you are leaving your team here. Arriving back at home was the hardest thing to do though, to see the family for the first time after it happened." Adam Krikorian, the USA women's water polo coach, after flying home to be with his family following the death of his brother Blake, 48, then returning to Rio on Monday.

"I'm not the most feminine looking person in this room. In rugby I'm proud of who I am and what I've become. At the end of the day you can look in the mirror and be proud of what you've achieved." Canada rugby sevens player Jennifer Kish (Canada) on the supposed lack of femininity in women's rugby.

Tuesday, 9 August

Shooting runs in one Georgian family's genes, with a mother and son duo becoming the first to compete at the same Olympic Games. Mum Nino Salukvadze is in her eighth Olympics and this year has company from 18-year-old son Tsotne Machavariani. (Reuters)

Sinphet Kruaithong became the first male Thai weightlifter to medal at the Olympics with bronze in the 56kg division, but his celebration turned to heartbreak when his 84-year-old grandmother reportedly collapsed amid the hysteria back in Thailand and then passed away. (AFP)

Brazilian football legend Pele was unable to attend the opening ceremony in Rio due to health concerns, but is determined to make it to the Games' closing party. He tweeted: "I am continuing my physiotherapy and focused on joining you for the closing festivities on 21 August. I love you!"

"I am never letting you go again... Until next flight..." said Grillo on Twitter

Frustrated Argentine golfer Emiliano Grillo held a poll on Twitter to ask his followers where they thought his missing clubs were, just days before his competition begins. The relieved PGA Tour star added this picture when he was finally reunited with them...

After Australia beat New Zealand to win the gold medal in the women's Sevens rugby, Olympics volunteer Marjorie Enya stepped onto the field with a microphone and delivered a touching speech in which the Brazilian asked Brazil player Isadora Cerullo to marry her. Cerullo accepted! (Fox Sports)

WGN reporter Pat Tomasulo gave viewers an alternative 'Olympics' report, which included an R Kelly lip sync and a video of high school wrestling from his mum and dad's old camcorder. (WGN TV)

The Guardian's Lindy West has written a handy guide on "how to talk about female Olympians without being a regressive creep". (Guardian)

Lithuanian swimmer Ruta Meilutyte, who posted this picture on Facebook, has nailed some handy artwork for the Rio Games

A bus carrying journalists and volunteers from the media centre in Rio hit a speed bump too fast and left several people injured. (Detroit Free Press)

Viewers in North Korea don't appear to have been told of the country's single Olympic medal so far - a silver in weightlifting - but today's main news bulletin has kept them fully up-to-date with advances in mushroom farming and third anniversary reminiscences of leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Pyongyang's spectacular Water Park. (BBC Monitoring)

Michael Phelps' face is a study in pure concentration. Ahead of his 200m butterfly semi-final, he is clearly in the zone. It didn't take the internet long to put his expression to good use...

What is the oddest job at Rio this summer? The lifeguard on hand to 'save' the Olympic swimmers? The condom guy ensuring athletes have safe sex? Or the poncho wearers at the opening ceremony? (BBC Newsbeat)

Russian state-owned rolling news channel Rossiya 24 has broadcast an "expose" on the use of cupping therapy among United States Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps, comparing the practice to the use of meldonium. (Rossiya 24)

The oldest gymnast at the Rio Games, Uzbekistan's 41-year-old Oksana Chusovitina, finished fifth in vault qualification. (Rio 2016)

British archer Patrick Huston has posted a lullaby on Facebook in tribute to his team-mate Naomi Folkard

Chinese newspaper The Global Times launched into Australia in the wake of gold medallist Mack Horton's "drug cheat" comment to China's swimming star Sun Yang. At one point, when referring to the country's history, it called Australia "Britain's offshore prison". (Beyond The Game)

French tennis player Benoit Paire, after losing to Italy's Fabio Fognini, was told to leave his country's Olympic Games squad for "flouting the rules", an official said. (AFP)

American Ryan Murphy, the 100m backstroke gold medallist, wrote a touching childhood note saying that he "wanted to be the best swimmer in the world". (NBC Olympics)

Dutch gymnast Yuri van Gelder was sent home from the Olympics after drinking alcohol on a night out in Rio. (BBC Sport)

After winning bronze, Belgian judo competitor Dirk van Tichelt had his phone stolen by a thief on Copacabana beach. (AP)

Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten, who crashed while leading the women's road race on Saturday, posted this picture on Twitter

Mara Abbott was closely following van Vleuten when she crashed on Saturday, and the American posted this tweet wishing her Dutch counterpart a quick recovery...