2012 Olympics: Great golden hopes

THE Great Britain team won an amazing 19 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. That set the bar very high for London 2012 but here are some of the brightest hopes for GB success at next year's games.

Jessica Ennis: athletics, heptathlon

British athletics' golden girl missed Beijing through injury but has responded by being nearly unbeatable since.

Sir Chris Hoy: track cycling, Keirin

Scotland's most successful Olympian is seeking a fifth gold to draw level with Sir Steve Redgrave and the Keirin, which begins with several laps behind a motorised Derny bike, is his favourite event.

Rebecca Adlington: swimming, 800 metres freestyle

The double Olympic champion faces fierce competition in the toughest endurance event in the pool but can deliver once more.

Nicola Adams: boxing, flyweight

Won the second of two world silvers just after returning from a year out with a crippling back injury. Injury-free she should win.

Ed Clancy,