It is certainly the case that the noisy home crowd cheering on British athletes is having a positive effect on performances, perhaps even giving the edge sometimes. But otherwise it is just hard work that is turning up our medals.
It hasn't stopped the whingers though, like France and Spain complaining about bias (or cheating). What we have seen though is the opposite. In pommel horse, a clearly unfinished routine that was terminated by the Japanese athlete falling off, was upgraded in marks when the Japanese ludicrously claimed the fall was a 'dismount;. This knocked the British lads to Bronze.
Victoria Pendleton is nudged by the ever professional Australian Meares and in an effort to stay upright crosses a line she should stay inside. Guess who gets penalised? Cycling had of course, already changed some rules in an effort to dent British success at Olympics, but similar US dominance of swimming was fine.
Before the Triathlon the Brownlee brothers are warned that if they cross the line together they will be disqualified. That is assuming they are going to win and that they have such a plan. In the event a penalty was dreamed up to separate them. and the penalty is served by stopping the athlete for 15 seconds, which in such a tough race must be physically damaging if not dangerous. Was it in some way to blame for Jonathan Brownlee's subsequent collapse?
Other countries seem to get enormous latitude. Like a runner banned from the Games for not trying in the 800m, who then produces a doctor's note to say he was injured, but goes on to win the 1500m the next day.
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