Olympics day four latest

Day four of the London Olympics is under way. The US swimmer Michael Phelps could become the joint most successful Olympian if he wins his 18th medal tonight in the 200m butterfly.

Latest ITV News reports

British public get behind the Games

The latest Index poll conducted by ComRes on behalf of ITV News at Ten tonight reveals that there has been a surge in positivity surrounding the Olympic Games compared with just two weeks ago.

Crowds cheer in the stands following the goal by Great Britain's Crista Cullen against South Korea
Crowds cheer in the stands following the goal by Great Britain's Crista Cullen against South Korea Credit: John Giles/PA Wire

Now more than half of the population (52%) are excited about London 2012, compared to a third (34%) who were excited two weeks ago.

There has been a noticeable rise in positivity about London 2012:

  • Now, 59% of the public say that the Olympics are great for the UK in such difficult economic times, up from 39% two weeks ago

  • 65% of the population said they planned to watch at least some of the Olympics on TV two weeks ago, now that figure is 75%

Athletes 'honoured' to meet royals on Olympic village tour

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I've just met William, Kate + Harry in the Olympic Village. Great people, really friendly and so nice to speak with. Feeling very honoured!

From @LiamTancock on Twitter:

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Jessica Ennis arrives in London ahead of Friday's heptathlon

d Jessica Ennis (right) arrives at City Airport in London with other members of Team GB
Nicola Sanders (left) and Jessica Ennis (right) arrive at City Airport with other members of Team GB Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire/Press Association Images

European Champion Jessica Ennis has arrived in London ready for Friday's heptathlon event.

The 26-year-old holds the most amount of points ever scored in the heptathlon by a British woman, surpassing Denise Lewis' 12-year-old record in May.

'Great banter' during royal Olympic visit

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have been visiting Team GB at the Olympic village, the athletes have been tweeting their reaction:

Athletes welcome royals to Olympic village

Handball player Louise Jukes has been enjoying the royal attention:

Swimmer James Disney-May was very excited to meet the young royals:

Team GB hockey player is becoming used to the royal attention:

Boris invites Rupert Murdoch to Olympics as personal guest

London Mayor Boris Johnson has invited media mogul Rupert Murdoch to attend Rebecca Adlington’s swimming final this Friday as his personal guest.

It is understood Murdoch will attend the swimming event with wife Wendi Deng.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has invited Rupert Murdoch and his wife to one of the Olympics swimming finals on Friday
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has invited Rupert Murdoch and his wife to one of the Olympics swimming finals on Friday Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Len Duvall, the leader of the Labour Group on the London Assembly, said: "There are serious questions as to the appropriateness of Boris Johnson taking Mr Murdoch to the Olympics.

"An internal City Hall investigation is still under way after it was discovered the Mayor had failed to declare meetings with Mr Murdoch. I do not think it is appropriate for the Mayor to be entertaining Mr Murdoch in this way.

The Mayor's spokesman said: "The Mayor has always said he would use the Games to shamelessly promote London as the leading business hub in Europe.

"With that aim in mind he's meeting and will continue to meet a range of business and media executives at or on the margins of Olympic events to further London's drive for investment that will spur jobs and growth."

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Tourism struggles during Olympics

London's tourism industry is struggling to compete with the impact of the Olympic Games, which has left the host city a "ghost town", businesses said.

Many traditional tourist hotspots have reported a fall in ticket sales as visitors flock to Olympic venues across the capital.

Theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue in London.
Theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue in London. Credit: PA

Theatre companies said they were seeing a "mixed picture" with many companies struggling due to the lack of footfall in the West End.

Mark Rubinstein, president of the Society of London Theatre, said: "Normally tourists will visit central London but they are mostly here to see the Games.

"The message about travel problems also seems to have kept people away.

"My experience is things are running smoothly and people should not be put off.

"There is a great opportunity to get out there to see some fantastic shows."

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