What the back pages say - August 17

THE INDEPENDENT: Not a bad start to the weekend, then. Nine medals in one
glorious day - four of them memorably gold - allowed great Britain to hurdle
several nations and climb up the medals table as history was made in Beijing.
Also: When he entered the home straight in the Beijing National Stadium for a
second time after the gun had fired for the Olympic 100m final, Usain Bolt
stretched out his arms and launched into an aeroplane impression.

THE TIMES: Rebecca Adlington might have been forgiven for declaring: "It
doesn't get any better than this - I quit." Also: Time stood still in the Birds
Nest last night. The clock at first registered 9.68sec just as Usain Bolt was
hurtling across the finishing line and heading with jet-propelled shoes towards
the stands on the far side of the track.

THE OBSERVER: Didier Drogba is still seeking a move away from Chelsea and has
not given up hope of finding a new club before the end of the transfer window.
Also: 'We've never seen anything like that before,' was the verdict of the great
Olympian Michael Johnson after a breathtaking 100 metres final.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Rafael Benitez made the position of chief executive Rick
Parry untenable in the aftermath of Liverpool's first win of the season,
revealing he had been in direct contact with co-owner Tom Hicks about the
farcical stuttering of the club's efforts to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa
and and sell Xabi Alonso. Also: Harry Redknapp the uncle was always going to
beat Harry Redknapp the manager. When his nephew, Frank Lampard, was deciding
between signing a new contract with Chelsea and leaving for Inter Milan this
summer, Redknapp advised him to do the former.

SUNDAY EXPRESS: Britain celebrated its greatest day in Olympic history
yesterday, winning five gold medals, two silver and four bronze - but they were
still left moaning about the weather. Also: The injury jinx that cursed Dean
Ashton struck again just when his comeback dream looked complete.

DAILY MAIL: Teenage swimming heroine Rebecca Adlington crowned the most
extraordinary day for a British team in modern Olympic history by taking her
second gold medal - and in a world-record time - in one of four golden moments
for Team GB here yesterday. Also: Usain Bolt, from the parish of Trelawny in the
county of Cornwall on the island of Jamaica, last night entered the company of
the immortals.

THE PEOPLE: Great Britain enjoyed its greatest day in Olympic history with four
gold medals in one mesmerising day. Also: They say there are nine million
bicycles in Beijing - but none of them are as fast as the British ones.

NEWS OF THE WORLD: One, two, three, phwoar! Britain's greatest Olympians
celebrate winning a record four gold medals in Beijing yesterday. Also:
Newcastle will launch a raid for Real Madrid star Javier Saviola to give boss
Kevin Keegan the boost he has been demanding.

SUNDAY MIRROR: Samir Nasri became an instant Arsenal hero with a high-speed
goal on his Gunners debut. Also: Harry Redknapp will be given the chance to head
back to his football home and succeed Alan Curbishley as West Ham manager.

DAILY STAR: The new season is only a day old - but Arsene Wenger insists: "We
will win the title." Also: Britain had its best day at the Olympics for 100
years yesterday.