Australia had clocked the fastest time in qualifying to stake their claim for a first gold of the five-day championships.

BBC: Track Worlds 2011: GB open with double world bronze

In the rugby sevens competition, England and Wales lost out in the quarter-finals to Australia and New Zealand respectively - and it was the All Blacks who would eventually claim the first rugby sevens gold medal.

BBC: European and Commonwealth gold

However, his early Olympic success in Turin, becoming the first American since Moe to claim a skiing gold, was not matched in the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver where he finished fifth behind teammate Miller in his super combined title defense.

CNN: Ted 'Shred' Ligety: Skiing's winning machine