“It was a nerve-racking opening for us but from then on we got better and better,” says Adcock, 23. “When you are performing that well, with confidence and family and friends watching, there is nothing you can’t achieve. We went up a level that week and have done ever since.”
Indeed they have. Thrust together at the back end of 2010 and winning world silver eight months later, they have played 18 tournaments and cemented their place as a world top 10 pair. It included a pressure-cooker environment during Olympic qualification where three British pairs were vying for one berth.
Adcock describes the past 18 months as “tasking, emotional and rewarding”.
From an inauspicious start, the duo beat Robertson and Jenny Wallwork twice to qualify eight places ahead of them. You could sense Adcock and Bankier’s emotion last week when a four-man squad was announced at a gathering at the London Stock Exchange.
“For anyone in their first Olympics, it was always going to be emotional. I want to progress further than just being an Olympian and put myself on the podium. It is a life’s work and a dream ever since I watched Simon Archer and Jo Goode [win Olympic bronze in 2000].”
As befits an Olympic year, there have been several off-court headlines too.
The Daily Telegraph was first to report a very public Twitter spat in February, watching wide-eyed as Bankier and Wallwork began an after-lunch war of words on the social network.
It started when Bankier tweeted in jest: “Why can English people not serve?!” and culminated with Wallwork telling the Glaswegian to “jog on back to Scotland”. The pair have since apologised and Bankier stresses “it was just banter that got out of control”.
“It was one of the things that the media got hold of because it was a rivalry and we were very competitive, but it didn’t really affect us,” she adds.
Adcock lobs away the episode with ease. “We are an Olympic sport that always seems to get good attention, but that is down to the athletes who have done well. When I go home it is switching-off time with my fiancée [fellow doubles player Gabby White] and our dog, Bowser. That helps a lot.”
The pair in action at the World Badminton Championships last year
Back on court, all the talk now is about Bankier and Adcock adapting as a pair. They revel in playing the production line of Asian talent on the world circuit and are constantly tweaking their naturally attacking style to remain at the top.
The pair would dearly love to play that world final again.
The reason is twofold. Since Wembley, they have twice beaten Nan Zhang and Yunlei Zhao, China’s world No 1 pair and the favourites for London 2012.
In the aftermath, Adcock also accused China of manipulating matches, after the eventual winners came into the final fresher thanks to their semi-final opponents – who were also Chinese – retiring mid-match.
It is far from sour grapes. Statistics show a large number of retirements and walkovers in all-Chinese matches. Nevertheless, Adcock says he would love to recreate that successful Wembley run at the Olympics next month.
“The emotions are building inside and you have that one moment when you’ve realised a medal is won. We had one outburst every day, but we tried to contain it and conserve that nervous energy for the next match.
“If you look at Kelly Holmes when she realised she had won double Olympic gold, I think that sums up how every athlete feels when they’ve done something great. Plus, you can also share the success in a double pairing. I’d love to do that again.”
The pair have one last tournament before the Games, the cauldron and intensity of next week’s Indonesian Open, regarded as the best atmosphere in the sport.
“It is nothing like you have ever imagined,” he says of the Jakarta experience. “The noise is constant and there are no let-ups in the rallies.
“If you can compete there at that level, then you can play anywhere.”
And what do you know, they’ll start with another clash against the Chinese world champions in the first round. At least we know that this pair, both still in their early twenties, are not fazed by the task.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Sussex skies light up as the Jubilee beacons blaze - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex skies light up as the Jubilee beacons blaze
10:06am Wednesday 6th June 2012 in News By Bill Gardner
Night skies glowed as dozens of Jubilee beacons were set ablaze across Sussex.
Thousands of people flocked to watch the fires on Monday night which formed part of a ‘chain of light’ to celebrate 60 years of the Queen’s reign.
In Brighton and Hove, a trio of fiery beacons were lit in Rottingdean, on Hove promenade and on Brighton seafront.
The fires were lit by the mayor of Brighton and Hove, Bill Randall, council leader Jason Kitcat and the Royal British Legion.
Near the Palace Pier, crowds danced to music from brass band Fanfara and steel band Euphoria.
Dozens of other fires were lit across the county.
In East Hoathly, a 30ft wooden sculpture of Britannia complete with trident, shield and helmet was set ablaze. Sculptor Keith Pettit took three weeks and three lorry loads of scrap wood to make the female warrior before it was burned to the ground.
The beacon at Shoreham Fort took a while to get going despite the efforts of East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton.
After the event, Mr Loughton joked on social networking website Twitter: “We got the beacon alight eventually – aided by a Calor Gas blowtorch – but it was worth it.”
In Bognor, a Royal British Legion brass band played as a beacon was lit on the Place St Maur. Sky lanterns were released into the sky along with 60 helium dove balloons.
Scouts and Guides led the celebrations in Littlehampton with a colourful procession along the seafront led by a marching band.
Afterwards the mayor of Littlehampton, Alan Gammon, lit the flame, helped by the winner of a children’s fancy dress contest held in Mewsbrook Park.
Revellers in Seaford were treated to a hi-tech laser show at Seaford Head before the traditional beacon was lit by laser from the ancient Martello Tower above Seaford Museum.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Cost of Bank Holiday police operations in Brighton could top £1million - thisissussex.co.uk
Sussex Police prepared for two major demonstrations this weekend and were patrolling the streets in Brighton & Hove with a big presence.
On Saturday, around 70 nationalists drawn from an unofficial group called 'Casuals United' were drinking around the town in small groups. It is reported that they gathered to show a response after the 'March for England' demonstration that went through the city in April was met by a large anti-fascist protest response.
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Sussex Police covered two demonstrations in Brighton City Centre over the weekend
Anti-fascists were again mobilised to meet the nationalists on Saturday but there were less than 100 people involved on either side, though there were minor clashes close to the seafront and near the Old Steine.
The police had feared hundreds of supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) would come to Brighton which, in turn, would mobilise more anti-fascist protestors to combat them. In the event few people were involved and the police have been criticised for wasting taxpayers' money.
The costs will be amplified because of overtime payments to officers as it was a Bank Holiday weekend. Some officers who were drafted in were "stood down" from duty when it became apparent that the demonstrations were low-key and not likely to require such a heavy police presence.
However, Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: "Very often police resources deter people from doing things. I'm not saying that's the case here – we don't know what we've deterred."
Both sides said the police had over-reacted and had too many officers dealing with a minor incident. It is believed that the number of officers deployed on Saturday was close to being the highest ever seen on the city's streets in one day. Police were also patrolling the area near the train station covering revellers attending the second of Fatboy Slims gigs at the Amex Stadium.
An anti-Jubilee street party took place in the city centre organised by Brighton Uncut was another focal point of activity but no major incidents were reported from it.
In total 18 people were arrested on Saturday for a variety of offences and 30 nationalists were marched by police to the train station.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Sussex Police deployed around 100 officers to counter an anti-arms protest march against EDO. Further officers were held in reserve. Officers were bought in from neighbouring police forces from Surrey and Hampshire.
Sussex Police said they could not confirm the cost of the weekend's operations but tweeted about the costs that they had "Said we'd happily share both when we have them, but not happy to share inaccurate estimates or comment on speculated figures."
Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett said: "We have had an incredibly busy weekend.
"That has meant there has been very little disruption in the city.
"The resources for big events are based on very careful threat assessments and understanding of what's required to keep people safe.
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
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