A capacity crowd filled the Basketball Arena to see Great Britain kick off the Wheelchair Rugby competition against current world number one team, and defending champions, the USA.
 
The sound of metal hitting metal as the players slam into each other draws loud gasps. Players being lifted back upright after taking a hit draws large cheers, as the announcer shouts, ‘Man down, man down’. Mechanics frequently come on to replace broken wheels and the teams even have welders on the touchline as members of their support crew.
 
Every Great Britain score, defensive block and play was greeted by a wall of noise. In anticipation of the sound levels, a forward-thinking crowd member has brought ear defenders for their young baby. The small USA contingent in the crowd chant 'USA, USA' but are drowned out by shouts of 'Team GB, Team GB'. 
 
Music fills every stoppage in play and the crowd are encouraged to sing and clap along. 'Come on sing it , louder!' is the cry over the speakers and they oblige, almost raising the roof off the arena.
 
Following on from the Basketball 'Kiss Cam' - where a roaming camera encouraged couples to share a kiss - a 'Bongo Cam' is active during the breaks between quarters. When  a crowd member spots themselves on the big screen, they have to 'play' the bongos which appear at the bottom of the screen. Even the most reluctant play along, thanks to the noisy encouragement of spectators.
 
The noise level almost never lets up for the entire duration of the match. Great Britain, despite having edged the first quarter 13-11, are behind for large parts of the game. The crowd give loud cheers of encouragement as they try to claw back the deficit, but they end up losing 56-44. As they leave the venue they are cheered to the rafters and the USA receive warm applause from the appreciative crowd.
 
On the way out a pair of young fans, hair dyed blue in honour of British player David Anthony, spoke enthusiastically about what they had just seen. Euan, 7, and Finlay, 4, had watched Wheelchair Rugby for the first time and commented: 'It was really good,  we loved it when they bashed into each other.'
 
The Wheelchair Rugby competition continues until Sunday and, depending on availability, is available to watch using an Olympic Day Pass.