The losers

"We're weren't outclassed, just outthought." BBC co-commentator Karen Brown after the British men's hockey team lost 8-1 to Pakistan.

"Short of cutting off a leg, there was nothing we could do." An Australian boxing official after boxer Bradley Hore tipped the scales 1kg overweight and was thrown out of the competition.

"A gun to shoot myself." The response of Australian walker Jane Saville when asked what she needed to get herself right again after being disqualified in the 20km walk when she was 200 metres from gold.

"It's such a fine line between being the greatest ever and wonderful to being nobody." Saville again.

"Life is really bizarre, no? It's like me. The only time in my life that I really made every effort, everything needed to go all the way, the time that it counted the most for me, I didn't make it." French runner Marie Perec after leaving Australia and turning down the chance to race Cathy Freeman in the 400 metres.