British swimmer collapses with exhaustion after winning 10km silver - then throws bottle of water over Chinese official

After a heroic effort to win silver in the 10,000m open-water event, swimmer David Davies collapsed with exhaustion and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

In driving rain, the 23-year-old, who won bronze in Athens four years ago in the 1,500m, had led for most of the near two-hour race before drifting off course and losing the lead in the final metres.

Spent: Britain's David Davies collapses at the water's edge after the 10,000m

It was only the fourth time he had swum the event and afterwards, exhausted, he said: 'The last part, I don't think I knew what I was doing, I was delirious. I was all over the place and my head was spinning.

'I really had given it everything and wanted it so bad.'

Astonishingly, minutes after climbing from the stretcher the Welshman was involved in a bust-up with Chinese officials trying to man-handle him towards the medal ceremony.

Davies took offence, turning to one overly aggressive female official and saying: 'Will you shut up, please!'

Aid: Chinese officials help the swimmer onto a stretcher and below, he recovers in the back of an ambulance

But she failed to obey the swimmer's request and, after more constant harassment, he threw the contents of his water bottle over her.

Davies paid tribute to the gold medallist, Dutchman Maarten van der Weijden, who overcame leukaemia before returning to swimming two years ago.

'It's almost like a Lance Armstrong story,' he said. 'He's a complete gentleman and a great ambassador for the sport and he's Olympic champion now.'

It came as Britain's amazing gold rush continued with sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson claiming a thrilling victory on the waters of Qingdao.

Percy and Simpson raised the total of British golds in the so-called 'Great Haul of China' to 17  -  the highest in 100 years.

The triumph by sailors Percy, 31, and his best friend Andrew Simpson, 31, in the Star class saw a masterclass in sailing in strong winds as they beat off the challenge of Sweden who had begun the day in gold medal position.

Thriller: Davies (Number 10) and his rivals at the start of the race and below, the tight finish as he holds off German Thomas Lurz to come second

Percy, from Winchester, who began sailing at the age of four, had won gold eight years ago in Sydney but for Simpson it was gold in his first Olympics.

Simpson, from Chertsey, Surrey, said: 'I'm shocked, words can't describe how happy we are. Since last year we have focused on nothing else but this week.'

Percy said: 'I knew we weren't going to bottle it. It feels great to be on top of the world again...this has been a wonderful achievement by the British team.

'It's more special because I'm doing it with my best mate of 25 years. To cross the line after all we've been through it just adds so much more to it.'

Respect: Davies hugs gold medallist Dutchman Maarten Van Der Weijden who beat leukaemia before returning to swimming

But there was desperate disappointment in the men's 100m sprint relay after the four-man team were disqualified in the Bird's Nest Stadium when the final runner, Craig Pickering, went off too early and strayed outside the changeover box before taking the baton.

A distraught Pickering appeared close to tears as he admitted: 'I feel like I let myself down, I let my country down.

Refreshment: Davies slugs an energy drink during the race

'Unfortunately for the next four years I am going to be remembered as the guy who messed up.'

Marlon Devonish, who had been part of the winning British relay team in Athens and was the athlete handing the baton to Pickering, said: 'I'm truly gutted. We just wanted to defend our title, and we tried very hard for this.'

The appalling weather also brought frustration for 19-year- old Shanaze Reade, as the final of the BMX in which she is favourite for gold was postponed until today.

Golden age: Andrew Simpson, left, and Iain Percy win gold in the sailing event

Mystery of the baton blunders

Oops! America's Tyson Gay drops baton

To the astonishment of millions of viewers, a succession of relay runners blundered yesterday when it came to the most basic element of their sport - passing the baton.

One after another, the teams of Britain (the defending champions), Nigeria, and the U.S.A. (incredibly, both the men's and women's teams) blew it in the heats of the 4x100m.

Britain's men were disqualified from heat two after completing their third change outside the box.

The U.S. were cruising to victory in their heat when Tyson Gay dropped the baton at the last changeover.

The baton was also dropped in heats by the U.S.A women's team and the men of Nigeria - meaning none of the nations on the podium in Athens will play any further part.