I want to be the Phelps of 2012 says golden girl Becky

Speaking to the Evening Standard, the 19-year-old said she aspires to be like the American, who has won a record eight golds during the Beijing Games.

The British swimmer was at the Water Cube venue to see Phelps win his final gold, which took his tally across two Games to 13, making him the most successful Olympian of all time.

Rebecca, who smashed the world record to gain her second gold in the 800metre freestyle, said: "Seeing him win that eighth race was absolutely amazing. It was really exciting. He is an amazing swimmer and I definitely look up to him as a role model. I can only dream of having the same success as him."

Bill Furniss, who has coached her since she was 12, said: "She is world class. She works very hard and quite often I have to say: Look that's enough - take a day off. She is just a joy to work with, she is great for the team and she is grounded."

Team GB swimming captain Mark Foster, who was flag bearer at the opening ceremony, said: "To come to your first Olympics and win not one, but two golds, is incredible. But she will have undergone a lot of pain and agony in training to get to this stage, so it is fully deserved."

His comments came as Britain found itself in third place in the medals league table with the aim of increasing the haul this week.

With 11 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals already in the bag, Britain is looking to secure at least five more golds before the Olympic flag is handed over to Mayor Boris Johnson on Sunday evening.

Britain secured another silver today in the men's 470 class dinghy sailing. Nick Rogers and Joe Glanfield were beaten by Australia to the gold position.

The cycling quartet of Ed Clancy, Paul Manning, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins, who broke their own world record in qualifying for the team pursuit final, are already assured of the silver, but are favourites to win gold against Denmark later today, which would give Londoner Wiggins, 28, his second gold of the games.

Cyclist Rebecca Romero is also a medal hopeful in the points race tomorrow following her gold in the individual pursuit yesterday. Fellow team members Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny and Victoria Pendleton are also expected to add to the total in sprints this week.

Athletic hopefuls include Londoners Christine Ohuruogu and Phillips Idowu. Ohuruogu will run in the 400metre final tomorrow at the Bird's Nest stadium and Idowu will compete in the triple jump final on Thursday. Greg Rutherford will be aiming for gold in the long jump final.

Gymnast Beth Tweddle competes in the asymmetric bars. Boxer David Price is in the quarter-final stages of the super heavyweight division. Tim Brabants begins his campaign in the K1 kayak 1,000 metre heats.