Olympics blog

Beijing

GB's men have eased off the gas as D-Day approaches, confident that the hard work is done

Their coach Jason Lee told me the time at the training base in Macau was invaluable for the acclimatisation process, and he expects to reap the dividends here in China.

The stifling heat in Beijing will ask questions of every athlete - but Lee insists it was hotter in Macau, and his men will be ready for anything.

As for the smog: "Everyone has to breathe the same air" he said.

It's a fair point.

Many of the team are already familiar with these problems anyway.

Two years ago England played a World Cup qualifying tournament in Changzhou where Lee told me the pollution was even worse than here.

They beat Pakistan 3-1 to take bronze there - will the result be repeated when the two sides meet on Monday?

In the women's competition, GB looked chipper as they went through a light training session at the Olympic Hockey venue. Jenny Bimson was bouncing around like a jack-in-the-box.

Alex Danson had every right to look happy after receiving the all-clear on her troublesome ankle.

We're told she might change her footwear to provide some extra support.

Christa Cullen and Kate Walsh were firing in the goals from the penalty corners; all seemed well.

Coach Danny Kerry is in confident mood - a medal is there for the taking he feels, providing they find some consistency through the pool stages.

And Olympic champions Germany first up? "I'm glad we've got them first" he said. Predictions anyone?