Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington celebrates with her bronze medal after finishing third in the Women's 400m Freestyle Final. Picture: Tony Marshall/PA Wire

Team GB won its first medals of the Olympics on day two of the competition.

Cyclist Lizzie Armistead took silver in the women’s road race, while swimmer Rebecca Adlington won bronze in the women’s 400m freestyle in the evening.

Armistead battled torrential rain to win her medal, and said: “It’s something very special and it hasn’t sunk in yet.

“I’m really, really happy. Maybe later I’ll start thinking about that gold, but I’m happy with silver at the moment.”

Adlington won the bronze in her weakest event. She said: “I am so glad I have got a medal at a home Games. Not many people can say that.

“Everyone has been so amazing. These guys (fans) make it so worthwhile. It’s amazing the support I’ve had.

“That’s what we need, we need people to get behind us and support us.”

But day two of the Games also brought bad news for Team GB, as marathon runner Paula Radcliffe pulled out of the competition because of a foot injury.

In a statement she said: “From the day when it was announced that London had won the bid, taking part and performing well in the London Olympic Games has been a major goal in my life.

“The goal of a fifth Olympics in my home country, what better? The chance to make amends to myself for bitter disappointments at the previous two Olympics.

“Through a lot of tough times it has kept me fighting, motivated and focused.

“That is why it hurts so much to finally admit to myself that it isn’t going to happen.”

See our picture gallery of events from day two on this page.