Swimming takes centre stage..

The joy of the Olympic games is that certain sports can catch your eye - but not necessarily the ones you expect, however.

Take the swimming for example. It's been gripping stuff, with this morning in particular giving way to some sensational drama.

Firstly, Rebecca Adlington and Jo Jackson's remarkable performance for Great Britain in the 400m freestyle final, which gave them gold and bronze medals respectively. Both women raced superbly and got their tactics spot on, with both women timing their late surges on the final turn to perfection, in what was a thrilling final 50 metres.

The significance of this victory is huge for British swimming, with Adlington becoming the first British woman to claim gold in the pool since Anita Lonsbrough won the 200m breaststroke in 1960.

And what's more, she's only 19.

And Jackson's bronze has ensured that Britain have beaten their medal haul from Athens 2004, in just one race. Exciting times could lie ahead for British swimming.

Terrific stuff indeed from the pairing, but there was more to come, in what can only be described as a true classic race.

It was Michael Phelps' second stop on his quest for 8 gold medals, and for once, he wasnt totally in charge of his own destiny. It was the Men's 4x100m freestyle relay, and it was up to his American team-mates to keep his dream alive.

They didnt disappoint.

In a phenomenal race, there were many twists and turns, but coming into the last stretch - the French team were leading, with the fastest swimmer in the world this year, Alain Bernard, a couple of metres in front.

Had Phelps's dream died, before it had really begun?

Enter 32 year old Jason Lezak, the oldest swimmer at the games, who somehow managed to pull it back in the final few metres, and grab the gold in the tightest of finishes. It was fingertip stuff. But the Americans had done it.

An amazing final, where the world record was smashed, and Phelps' amazing dream stayed alive. Just.

Who would bet against this extrodinary sportsman grabbing all 8 golds?