The 24 British stars to watch at Paris 2024 Olympics

[CharlieH]

 

 

Few things bond a nation like the thrill of triumph at an Olympic Games.

Redgrave's return in Sydney. Holmes' double in Athens. Super Saturday in London.

Great Britain has witnessed unforgettable moments which have been a unifier.

Over the next few weeks, 327 Team GB athletes are heading to Paris and dreaming of creating another culturally-resonant chapter.

With the Games starting later this week, BBC Sport has picked out 24 British stars you must set a reminder to watch.

 

The Golden Generation

 

Tom Daley, 30, Diving

Event: Men's 10m synchro

When: 29 July

 

From a fresh-faced teenager to a knitting-loving veteran, Tom Daley is making history as the first British diver to compete in five Olympic Games. After finally securing a long-awaited gold medal at Tokyo 2020, Daley comes out of a brief retirement, inspired by his son Robbie, to defend his title alongside diving partner Noah Williams.

 

**Helen Glover, 38, Rowing**

Event: Women's Four

When: 28 July (heats), 1 August (final)

 

They say things tend to come in threes, which is certainly true for Helen Glover. The British rowing legend, a mother of three, is making her third Olympic comeback after retiring post-Rio and Tokyo. Glover is now on a quest for her third Olympic gold medal, hoping to add another remarkable chapter to her illustrious career.

 

**Jade Jones, 31, Taekwondo**

Event: Women's -57kg

When: 8 August

 

Jade Jones experienced the highs of winning back-to-back gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016, only to be followed by the low of a surprising.

 

**Max Whitlock, 31, Gymnastics**

Event: Men's pommel horse

When: 3 August

 

Max Whitlock, another iconic British Olympian, is making one final push before retirement. Originally planning to retire after Tokyo, the three-time gold medalist found his passion for gymnastics rekindled. If he defends his title in Paris, Whitlock will become the first gymnast to win four Olympic medals on the same apparatus, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

 

The Next Superstars

 

**Dina Asher-Smith, 28, Athletics**

Events: 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay

When: 2-3 August (100m), 4-6 August (200m), 8-9 August (relay)

 

Dina Asher-Smith boasts an impressive CV with one glaring omission—Olympic gold. Arriving at the Games in hot form, she recently claimed the British 200m title in a championship record time of 22.18 seconds and secured her fifth European gold in the 100m earlier in June. Asher-Smith isn’t the only British sprinter in top form; teammate Daryll Neita, who also clocked her fastest times of the season at the London Diamond League, is determined to surpass her on the track.

 

**Sky Brown, 16, Skateboarding**

Event: Women's Park

When: 8 August

 

Self-taught by watching YouTube videos, Sky Brown clinched a bronze medal in Tokyo at just 13, making her Britain’s youngest Olympic medalist. Now 16, she enters her second Games with big ambitions. Although she just missed qualifying for the surfing event, happening 9,500 miles away in Tahiti, this could work to her advantage, allowing her to focus entirely on skateboarding.

 

**Emily Campbell, 30, Weightlifting**

Event: Women's +81kg

When: 11 August

 

Emily Campbell is a trailblazer who aims to inspire as much as she aspires to win. Just five years after lifting a barbell for the first time, Campbell made history by becoming the first British woman to win an Olympic weightlifting medal, earning silver in Tokyo. This time, she’s heavily favored to take gold.

 

Katarina Johnson-Thompson, 31, Athletics

Event: Women's Heptathlon

When: 8-9 August

Much like Asher-Smith, KJT is among the most talented and recognizable athletes of her generation. Yet, the most important medal remains elusive. Winning her second world title last year is promising as she prepares for her fourth attempt at the Olympic podium.

 

Keely Hodgkinson, 22, Athletics

Event: Women's 800m

When: 2-5 August

Once considered an Olympic underdog three years ago, Hodgkinson has now emerged as a gold medal favorite in Paris. Breaking Kelly Holmes' 26-year British record earned her a silver in Tokyo, and even illness did not prevent her from winning the European title last month. Setting a new national record at the Diamond League meet in London last weekend further solidified her credentials.

 

Tom Pidcock, 24, Cycling

Events: Mountain Bike, Road Race

When: 29 July (mountain bike), 3 August (road)

Whether speeding down a treacherous Tour de France descent or maneuvering up sandy terrain, multi-eventer Pidcock is stepping up in the void left by Britain's millennial cycling superstars. He will defend the mountain

 

Emma Finucane, 21, Cycling

Events: Women's Individual Sprint, Team Sprint, Keirin

When: 5-11 August

The pantheon of British Olympians features several cyclists, including Dame Laura Trott, who believes Finucane can make history as the first female to win three golds in a single Games. This high praise follows Finucane's dominant performance at the Track Nations Cup in March, where she achieved a remarkable treble.

 

Louie Hinchliffe, 21, Athletics

Event: Men's 100m

When: 3-4 August

Leaving university in the UK for a new life in the US was initially met with resistance from Hinchliffe's parents. However, the move proved to be wise, as it allowed him to focus on his athletics career and train under American Olympic legend Carl Lewis. Clocking 9.95 seconds, Hinchliffe secured the US collegiate title, and his sensational breakthrough year continued when he won the UK Athletics Championships last month, earning his spot for Paris.

 

Delicious Orie, 27, Boxing

Event: Men's Super-Heavyweight

When: 29 July, 2, 7 & 10 August

"Some say I'm the new Anthony Joshua, but one day I aim to be even better and dominate." Like all boxers, Orie talks the talk and backs it up with his actions. He clinched gold as the poster boy of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and is determined to replicate that success in his first Olympics.

 

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, Diving

Events: Women's 10m Synchro, 10m Platform

When: 31 July (synchro), 5-6 August (platform)

Since reaching the Olympic final in Tokyo as a 16-year-old, Spendolini-Sirieix has evolved into a world, Commonwealth, and European gold medallist. Her achievements are even more commendable considering she once contemplated quitting the sport due to a "fear of diving."

 

Stories that Inspire 

 

Georgina Brayshaw, 30, Rowing

Event: Women's Quadruple Sculls

When: 27 July (heats), 31 July (final)

A first-time Olympian who was left in a coma as a teenager following a horse riding accident.

Brayshaw, who was paralysed down the left side of her body for a year, began rowing in her second year of university. An Olympic medal, which is a strong possibility, would be a remarkable reward for her perseverance after also being overlooked for Tokyo.

 

 

Joe Clarke, 31, Canoe Slalom

Events: Men’s kayak single, kayak cross

When: 30 July-1 August (single), 2-5 August (cross)

"Tough times don't last, tough people do."

That bullish quote become Clarke's mantra after the reigning Olympic champion was overlooked for Tokyo 2020, despite being in the form his life.

Having moved on from the controversy, he is eyeing the ultimate redemption story.

 

Carl Hester, 57, Equestrian

Event: Dressage

When: 3 August (team final), 4 August (individual final)

When Hester competed in his first Olympics - at Barcelona 1992 - a large portion of Team GB were not even born.

But with age comes more pressure, he says. The oldest member of Team GB helped the nation win a historic first equestrian medal in 2012 and is desperate to stretch the success to a fourth Games.

 

Andy Macdonald, 50, Skateboarding

Event: Men's Park

When: 7 August

In a sport that emerged as a youth subculture and is dominated by young, hip athletes, it's quite ironic that a 50-year-old is part of Team GB. Andy Macdonald, born in the US but representing Britain through his Luton-born father, is no ordinary 50-year-old. Known as the 'Rad Dad,' he’s great friends with Tony Hawk, has fronted an MTV show, and even skated through the White House.

 

Amber Rutter, 26, Shooting

Event: Women's Skeet

When: 2-4 August

Amber Rutter had two significant dates marked on her 2024 calendar: the start of the Paris Games and the due date of her first child. Rutter gave birth to her son Tommy three months ago and is now ready to pursue the Olympic medal that has so far eluded her.

 

Kimberley Woods, 28, Canoe Slalom

Events: Women's Kayak Single, Kayak Cross

When: 27-28 July (single), 2-5 August (cross)

Canoeing became a lifeline for Kimberley Woods as she battled bullying, depression, and self-harm.

 

Since coming through therapy between 2016 and 2018, Woods' career has soared and, having won her first individual world title last year, is a medal hope in the "hectic" cross event which is making its Olympic debut.

 

 

Based on an article by the BBC

[EmmaH]

Dina Asher-Smith should win at least one gold medal.

[RayC]

On 7/26/2024 at 7:23 PM, EmmaH said:

Dina Asher-Smith should win at least one gold medal.

 

Imo no chance. Nieta is the best of the UK female sprinters. If they reach the finals they will have done well.

[EmmaH]

GB currently at 7th spot on the medals table with 2 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals.

[Skeptic7]

The horse beater is OUT❗

[D2Pipes]

 

Spot on and a Gold to boot with an incredible last 150M

 

[EmmaH]

Great Britain looking good at number 5 position on the medals table.

 

[EmmaH]

Great Britain finished the games with a total of 65 medals including 14 golds. In Tokyo they won 64 medals in total with 22 golds.

[still kicking]

On 8/5/2024 at 5:59 AM, EmmaH said:

Great Britain looking good at number 5 position on the medals table.

 

Bad luck it is finished and also the wrong table