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, Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and AN Other: track cycling, team pursuit

Likely selections Clancy, Wiggins and Thomas were peerless in Beijing and will aim to hold off a strong challenge from Australia this time around. There will be stiff competition from a handful of cyclists for the final place in the pursuit team, as it is seen as a real gold-winning opportunity for GB.

Ben Ainslie: sailing, finn

The three-time Olympic champion faces a fight to qualify as Britain's best which would stand him in good stead.

Mark Cavendish: Road cycling, road race

Road racing is something of a lottery, but Cavendish is unrivalled when the finish is a sprint and the London course is tailor made for the Manx Missile.

Paul Goodison: sailing, laser

Will be overwhelming favourite to defend his Olympic title in Weymouth and continue Britain's boating brilliance.

Alistair Brownlee: triathlon

The Yorkshireman has been a prolific winner since finishing 12th as a 20-year-old in Beijing.