Top 10 Brit hopes for Olympic gold

Reigning Olympic champions and world record holders are among the British stars going for gold in Rio. Here are 10 of our best hopes for standing on top of the podium:
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jul 2016, 08:28 BST
Updated 11th Jul 2016, 09:31 BST
Jessica Ennis-Hill.Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Jessica Ennis-Hill.

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL: It has been far from plain sailing for the Sheffielder since her historic heptathlon triumph in 2012. But since her time out to start a family, she has shown glimpses of the form that swept her to gold in London.

NICOLA ADAMS: All-conquering Adams recently added the world title to her ever-growing collection of honours at the fourth time of trying. The flyweight is set to become the first Briton to retain an Olympic boxing gold medal since Harry Mallin in 1924.

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ADAM PEATY: The 21-year-old is the reigning world record holder/world champion in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, making him a favourite to claim GB’s first men’s Olympic swimming title since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988.

MAX WHITLOCK: A double bronze medallist in London, Whitlock became the first British man to win an individual world gymnastics title in Glasgow in 2015. Favourite on the pommel, Whitlock could challenge Kohei Uchimura for the all-around title.

GILES SCOTT: A four-time world champion in the Finn class, Scott has dominated his category since missing out on a place at London 2012, only recently seeing a three-year unbeaten run come to an end.

BIANCA WALKDEN: Her team-mate Jade Jones may get closer attention but Walkden is the reigning world taekwondo champion in the women’s +73kg division and heads into the Games on the back of a long unbeaten streak.

Boxer Nicola AdamsBoxer Nicola Adams
Boxer Nicola Adams
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LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD: The Otley star was pipped to road race gold in 2012 by Marianne Vos. But she bounced back to win the world title in 2015, making her the racer to beat.

MO FARAH: Farah faces a monumental task to repeat his double-winning feat of four years ago. But he claimed both 5000m and 10000m titles at the 2015 World Championships and will accept nothing less than a repeat performance in Rio.

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE: The Leeds triathlete Alistair Brownlee continues to conquer his rivals with apparent ease.

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN: Nothing Charlotte has done since winning her two dressage gold medals in London suggests she will not be on top of the podium again. The 30-year-old is a double defending world champion.

Related topics:Nicola AdamsMo Farah