Eight for 2008: The ones to watch as Team GB go for gold in Beijing
With our Olympians set a target of winning 35 medals, with 10 golds, Jon Couch looks at our most likely successes
It’s just over a week before the start of the Beijing Olympics, and already the pressure is building on Team GB as they go in search of the ultimate prize in sport.
A total of 313 athletes will be flying the flag for Britain across 20 different sporting fields this next month with dreams of becoming an Olympic champion.
As preparations for London 2012 begin in earnest, the team have been set a tough medal target goal by UK Sport of 35 medals in Beijing, including 10-12 golds.
Naturally, all eyes will be on the cycling, rowing and sailing events to bolster the GB medal tally, but Olympic chiefs are hopeful of success right across the board.
How about Frankie Gavin going one better than Amir Khan and landing Olympic boxing gold, or Beth Tweddle claiming our first medal in the gymnastics since 1928?
So, who are the most likely to do their bit for Team GB and take their place on the podium?
We highlight eight of our biggest hopes to look out for.
David Davies (Swimming):
For the first time, an Olympics includes the 10km open-water marathon and Davies, the 1,500 metres bronze medallist four years ago, will start as one of the favourites. He was narrowly beaten into second place by the defending champion, Russia’s Vladimir Dyatchin, at the World Open Water Championships in Seville.
Frankie Gavin (Boxing):
The Birmingham-based southpaw forms part of Britain’s best-ever Olympic qualification campaign, with eight boxers winning through. Gavin is our big hope in the lightweight category as the current world champion, following his points victory over Italy’s Dominico Valentino in Chicago last November.
Phillips Idowu (Athletics):
The unmistakable figure of Idowu goes into Beijing as the overwhelming favourite in the triple jump having been undefeated all year. The Londoner set the longest jump of the year so far, 17.58m, in the British Olympic trials and saw his medal chances further increased when main rival Christian Olsson pulled out with injury.
Ben Ainslie (Sailing):
After winning gold medals in the Finn class in the 2004 Games and Laser class four years earlier, Ainslie was soon regarded as Britain’s most successful sailor. The Lymington-based 31-year-old goes in the Finn class again this time round. With no fewer than eight World and European titles under his belt, he’s undoubtedly the man to beat.
Bradley Wiggins (Cycling):
One of the leading lights in a star-studded British cycling team which includes Chris Hoy, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Romero. Wiggins won gold, silver and bronze on the track in the Athens Olympics and another three medals at this year’s World Championships in Manchester.
Beth Tweddle (Gymnastics):
Regarded as the most successful British gymnast of all time, Tweddle is looking to add Olympic gold to her 2006 World and European title on the uneven bars. British champion for seven years running, Tweddle is primed to succeed again, but this week suffered a setback to her preparations when she sustained a rib injury in training.
Tom Daley (Diving):
At the age of 14, Daley will become Great Britain’s second youngest male Olympian ever when he competes in the individual 10 metre platform and the 10 metre synchronised event with Blake Aldridge. Already this year, he has won six medals at the British Championships in Manchester and another at the Europeans in Eindhoven.
Helen Tucker (Triathlon):
After missing most of 2006 and 2007 through injury, Helen is now at the very top of her sport having won gold in the World Championships a month ago following an excellent tactical race. She has also won silver at the World Cup in Madrid this year and starts as a red-hot gold medal favourite.