Ascent to glory: comparing Team GB in 2008 and 2012
When it comes to winning medals, Team GB may have got off to a slower start than in Beijing, but they have made up for lost time. Channel 4 News plots a timeline comparing the two Olympic Games.
In 2008, Great Britain had already won two golds and a bronze by day three of the Games.
In 2012, the home nation had to wait until day five to strike gold – and many were bemoaning the slender tally of three silvers and a bronze.
But medal panic had all but evaporated by the end of the first week with eight golds, six silvers and eight bronze medals on the table.
Team GB’s Beijing success after the first week paled in comparison: seven golds, three silvers and seven bronzes after day seven.
By the time Britain reached day ten in 2008, 12 golds had been placed in the Great Britain coffers.
The bumper haul in 2012 is smashing all the records – Chris Hoy’s last cycle around the velodrome took Team GB to 22 golds, 13 silvers and 13 bronze medals.
Great Britain is now guaranteed 52 medals in total, with minimum bronze places guaranteed in four boxing bouts.
Take a look at our charts from Beijing and London below.
London 2012
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Beijing 2008
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