Olympics 2016 Team GB’s ‘ones to watch’
The Rio 2016 Olympics is here!
Even though it doesn’t seem like four years have passed since London 2012, the athletes are ready and raring to go once more!
Household names like Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis Hill will be competing yet again, but what about the names we’re not used to hearing? Who’s going to be the next household name?
Let’s take a look at some of the Team GB contenders we think will be returning with a medal around their neck…
Swimming
20 year old James Guy has been in sensational form over the past couple of years.
His form since 2014 has seen him win a hat trick of gold medals at the British Swimming Championships, bronze and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a silver medal at the Doha World Championships.
As well as that, he also smashed two British records in the 400m freestyle and won three titles at the British Olympic Trials in Glasgow, which secured his place at Rio.
We expect James to come back with at least a bronze medal.
Taekwondo
Liverpool’s Bianca Walkden is one of Team GB’s best hopes for a medal in taekwondo – and it’s no surprise as to why!
Bianca has won the European Championship and World Championship recently, so the sky really is the limit! (Even two long term knee injuries over the past couple of years haven’t hindered her)
If Bianca can stay injury free in the lead up to Rio, she will surely be a contender for the gold medal.
Gymnastics
Leeds born Nile Wilson has a pretty impressive track record!
He is the first British gymnast ever to win five gold medals at a European Junior Championships.
That’s not all though…
He won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, picked up a gold medal at the European championships, won a silver medal as part of Team GB’s performance at the World Championships and then went on to take top spot in the High Bar at the British Championships.
Pretty good right!?
There’s absolutely no doubt that, if Nile keeps performing as he has been, he will come home with a bronze at the very least. (but we think it will be a gold)
Cycling
It will take a lot to match the legendary Chris Hoy on a bike, but we think we’ve found the answer…
Owain, who currently rides for Sir Bradley Wiggins cycling team, has collected silver and bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games, two gold medals from the past three European Track Championships, back to back silver medals in the Team Pursuit World Championships and he also came third in the Tour of Britain.
Keep an eye on the Welsh rider at Rio – he’s sure to come up with the goods!
Shooting
Two words – Amber Hill
She’s the youngest member of Team GB’s shooting team and the youngest ever Skeet World Cup gold medallist.
Prior to being selected for Rio, the talented 18 year old represented England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and won World Championship gold in the skeet team.
Hill’s GB debut then came at the 2015 European Games in Baku where she beat Italy’s Diana Bacosi to clinch first place, hitting 30 out of 30 clays.
Alongside these huge achievements, Hill won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2013.
A dead cert for a Rio gold!
Good luck everyone!
