BOUND FOR GLORY

TEAM GB is ready to aim for our greatest medal haul in modern history as the Paris Olympics begin today.

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

The Mirror visited the Olympic village, where our chef de mission Mark England told how our athletes are ready to smash the record haul of 67 medals from Rio 2016.

The first race for world and reigning Olympic champion Matt Richards, 21, of Worcester, will be the 4x100m relay tomorrow.

"We are all just really looking forward to it now," he said. "After all the waiting, the Games are about to begin and we cannot wait.

"I've been playing a lot of pool. We've been in the training camp but it's been good to get into the village."

He has his parents Amanda and Simon coming to see him in action, plus fiancee Emily Large, 23, of Newcastle. He also has a new Olympic rings tattoo on his arm. Team-mate Tom Dean has one too, which dates back to Tokyo three years ago.

Double Olympic champion Tom, 24, of Maidenhead, Berks, said: "The waiting is over and we are ready to go."

James Guy, 28, who was sobbing with joy when he won his first Olympic gold with Dean and Matt in the 4x200m in Tokyo, told how the presence of family and friends this time had lifted Team GB. James, from Bury, Gtr Manchester, explained: "It will make such a difference to have so many people there who could not make it last time."