Some commentators were stunned to hear music being played throughout the women’s 10,000m final on Friday, thinking it disrespectful to both the athletes and the 80,000 people watching the action.

But the Games organisers said the playing of rock and pop tunes had been approved by the sport’s IAAF governing body and had been greeted with a positive response in the stadium.“In terms of the music, I think we have the level right,” London 2012 spokeswoman Jackie Brock-Doyle told reporters.