By Tom Degun at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London

Team BG_July_22
July 21 - British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan admits that Team GB face a "major task" at London 2012 to surpass their medal tally at Beijing 2008, where they finished fourth with 19 gold medals and a total of 47 medals.


The majority of Britain's athletes have now moved into the Athletes' Village in Stratford ahead of the Olympic Games, where they will be looking to improve on the phenomenal Team GB medal haul in China.

Earlier this month, Government agency UK Sport revealed they expected Team GB to win at least 48 medals, one more than in Beijing, with a stretch target of 70 medals.

But the BOA chairman downplayed expectations, saying that Team GB face a major threat from the likes of Germany and Australia, who finished fifth and sixth respectively behind Britain at Beijing 2008.

"The competition here is going to be incredibly tough," Moynihan said at a press conference today.

"Many other teams have spent as many hours as we have in ensuring the preparation of their athletes for these Games.

"So the delivery of results for Team GB is going to be a major task in light of the outstanding competition we will face."

Team GB_sailors_return_from_Beijing_2008_July_22Beijing 2008 gold medalists Sarah Webb, Pippa Wilson and Sarah Ayton

Moynihan also admitted he is closely monitoring other issues around the Games, particularly the military being drafted in to provide security after contractor G4S failed to deliver the agreed number of staff, but said it is not something harming athletes' preparations.

"The athletes are completely focused on what they're doing," he said.

"None of the wider issues have impacted on them."

Sir Clive Woodward, the BOA performance director and Team GB Deputy Chef de Mission, also predicted that the negative media coverage around issues like security would subside as the Games draw closer.

"There's been a lot of talk about various things that have happened at the Games, which is all fine," said Sir Clive, who led England to victory in the Rugby World Cup in 2003 as head coach.

"That has to be reported on.

"But I hope we can really step into gear now and get the public and the media behind the whole team."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: Team GB set target of 48 medals and fourth place at London 2012