The World Class Programme was first introduced after the low point in Atlanta 1996, when GB won just one gold. It had an immediate impact by giving podium and potential podium athletes not only funding, but also an array of specialist coaching, training, performance, medical, scientific and technological support.
It meant that by Beijing 2008 GB had moved into the top tier of Olympic nations with a fourth place medal table finish, including 19 golds. In London 2012 it was third place with 29 golds, in Rio 2016 it was second place with 27 golds, and in Tokyo 2020/21 it was fourth place with 22 golds.
So far in Paris 2024 GB are in fifth place with 14 golds – which, if you take the range of 14 sports categories in which they are the world’s best, and equated them to the 15 positions on a rugby union field, would give you almost an entire World XV.
Such a team would be unstoppable, because there is a widespread belief among top rugby union coaches that you require six worldclass players in your starting 23 to win a World Cup.
Denne historien er fra August 11, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra August 11, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
