For the second day in a row , that was a day of contrasting emotions. The high drama of the showjumping , the brilliance of Jason Kenny and the superb wins in the men’s boxing were in stark contrast to a truly wretched night for Team GB in the athletics. The good news is that today promised to be a gold fest in a variety of sports. We are favourites in no fewer than six events……
1. TRIATHLON
After the travails of Helen Jenkins in the womens triathlon, I don’t want to make any rash predictions. Let us just sit back and enjoy the Brownlee brothers and their quest for gold.
2. DRESSAGE
Charlotte Dujardin is favourite in the individuals , and the team look very strong favourites to win the team gold.
3. VELODROME
This is truly massive. Three golds are on offer – Men’s Keirin , womens sprint and women’s omnium. Anything other than three golds will be a slight disappointment. Laura Trott in the omnium is favourite to join Hoy and Pendleton in British sporting immortality.
4. TRACK AND FIELD outside hopes…
After the incredible weekend , last night was something of a comedown with all three British medal hopes underperforming. Today Robbie Grabarz goes in the high jump. He looked impressive in qualifyingand a medal is certainly a possibility. In the men’s discus mammoth Croydonian Laurence Okoye is in the mix for a possible minor medal.
5. HOCKEY
Last night the ladies’ team reached the semis. Tonight it is the turn of the men , who depending on results , may just need a draw against Spain to qualify. The atmosphere will be incredible.
6. BOXING !
Blimey this team are doing well. Freddie Evans will be a string favourite to join the others in the semis. Andrew Selby has a blockbuster of a fight against the tough Cuban Ramirez.
Also today look out for the return of Usain Bolt , French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre , the return of enigmatic Phillips Idowu , and another afternoon of outstanding gymanstics. But today will be remembered for Team GB taking their gold medal count into uncharted territory.
I keep having to revise my expectations for gold medals upwards, which is fantastic.
Currently I’ve got Team GB down for 24 Golds, already have 18, then I’ve gone for 2 more in cycling, 1 in dressage, 1 in triathalon, 1 in boxing and 1 more in sailing.
Hopefully I’ve been conservative in my estimate and we can edge closer to 30 which would be truly amazing.