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Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics

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Great Britain at the Olympic Games

Flag of the United Kingdom
IOC code  GBR
NOC British Olympic Association
At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
Competitors 311[1] in 20 sports
Officials 236[2]
Flag bearer Mark Foster (opening)
Chris Hoy (closing)
Medals
Rank: 4		 Gold
19		 Silver
13		 Bronze
15		 Total
47
Olympic history (summary)
Summer Games
Winter Games
Intercalated Games
1906

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed as Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.[3] The United Kingdom was represented by the British Olympic Association (BOA), and the team of selected athletes was officially known as Team GB. Britain is one of only five NOCs to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games since 1896. The delegation of 547 people included 311 competitors – 168 men, 143 women – and 236 officials. The team was made up of athletes from the whole United Kingdom including Northern Ireland (whose people may elect to hold Irish citizenship and are able to be selected to represent either Great Britain or Ireland at the Olympics).[4] Additionally some British overseas territories compete separately from Britain in Olympic competition.

Great Britain's medal performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics was its best in a century; only its performance at the 1908 Summer Olympics, which Britain hosted in London, resulted in more gold medals being awarded.[5] The total medal count, 47, is also the third highest Great Britain has ever achieved, with only the 1908 and the 2012 Games resulting in more medals.

Great Britain finished 4th overall in the medal tables, a target previously set by UK Sport, the public body responsible for distributing funding to elite sport, for the 2012 Games. UK Sport considered whether to target 3rd place in the 2012 Games, which was hosted by the United Kingdom in London.[6]

Because London was the host city of the 2012 Summer Olympics, a segment of their culture was performed during the closing ceremony.

Medallists

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Further information: 2008 Summer Olympics medal table

The following British competitors won medals at the Games, all dates are August 2008.[7] In the 'by discipline' sections below, medallists' names are in bold.

Multiple medallists

The following Team GB competitors won multiple medals at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Name Medal Sport Event
Chris Hoy  Gold
 Gold
 Gold		 Cycling Men's team sprint
Men's sprint
Men's keirin
Bradley Wiggins  Gold
 Gold		 Cycling Men's team pursuit
Men's individual pursuit
Rebecca Adlington  Gold
 Gold		 Swimming Women's 400 m freestyle
Women's 800 m freestyle
Jason Kenny  Gold
 Silver		 Cycling Men's team sprint
Men's sprint
Tim Brabants  Gold
 Bronze		 Canoeing Men's K-1 1000 m
Men's K-1 500 m
Tina Cook  Bronze
 Bronze		 Equestrian Team eventing
Individual eventing

Targets

In June 2008, UK Sport, which distributes National Lottery funding to elite sport, published its expectations for the Games. It identified 41 potential medals to target and expected to win 35 of them, including 10 to 12 gold medals and to finish 8th in the overall medal table.[8] Team GB exceeded the gold medal expectations on 19 August when Paul Goodison earned Britain's 13th gold medal in the men's Laser class. The minimum medal target, of 35 medals, was passed on 20 August when they claimed their 36th medal — a bronze in the women's RS:X, won by Bryony Shaw. The total medal target was equalled when canoeist Tim Brabants took gold in the men's 1000 m K-1 claiming Britain's 41st physical medal (three further medals were guaranteed in boxing at the time).[9] They later exceeded the total number of targeted medals when Heather Fell secured the silver in women's modern pentathlon.[10]

It should be noted that the medals claimed were not all ones that had been targeted, with Team GB falling short of targets in some disciplines whilst exceeding them in others. Nine out of seventeen disciplines met their targets. The British cyclists, for example doubled their medal target on 19 August when Victoria Pendleton won Britain's 12th cycling medal, a gold in the women's sprint.[11] A further two medals were already guaranteed at this stage in the men's individual sprint, where gold and silver were soon won by Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny respectively.[12] In all Team GB won seven of the ten gold medals up for grabs at the velodrome. The swimmers also managed to double the targeted number of medals in their sport when David Davies won the team's sixth swimming medal — a silver medal in the men's 10 km open water marathon on 21 August.[13] Despite the men's and women's archery teams having come second and third respectively at the 2007 world championships, British archers were unable to win either of their targeted medals. This led to criticism of the tactics used by head coach Peter Suk from members of the team.[14][15]

Medal ceremony at the men's team pursuit.
Sport Target Won Target met
Archery 2 0 Red XN
Athletics 5 4 Red XN
Badminton 1 0 Red XN
Boxing 2 3 Green tickY
Canoeing 2 3 Green tickY
Cycling 6 14 Green tickY
Diving 1 0 Red XN
Equestrian 3 2 Red XN
Gymnastics (artistic) 1 1 Green tickY
Judo 2 0 Red XN
Modern pentathlon 1 1 Green tickY
Rowing 4 6 Green tickY
Sailing 4 6 Green tickY
Shooting 2 0 Red XN
Swimming 3 6 Green tickY
Taekwondo 1 1 Green tickY
Triathlon 1 0 Red XN
Total 41 47 Green tickY
Total expected 35 47 Green tickY
Total gold 12 19 Green tickY

Archery

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Main article: Archery at the 2008 Summer Olympics

At the 2007 World Outdoor Target Championships, Great Britain's men's team placed second and its women's team placed third. This qualified the nation to send full teams of three men and three women to the Olympics.[16]

Men
Athlete Event Ranking round Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Score Seed Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Laurence Godfrey Individual 657 34  Badënov (RUS) (31)
L 109–114		 Did not advance
Simon Terry 670 7  Hatava (FIN) (58)
L 104–105		 Did not advance
Alan Wills 661 21  Nespoli (ITA) (44)
W 103–98		  Galiazzo (ITA) (12)
W 110–109		  Stevens (CUB) (28)
L 104–108		 Did not advance
Laurence Godfrey
Simon Terry
Alan Wills		 Team 1998 5 N/A  China (CHN) (12)
L 210–214		 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Ranking round Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Score Seed Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Charlotte Burgess Individual 623 40  Guo D (CHN) (25)
W 106–104		  Folkard (GBR) (8)
L 96–110		 Did not advance
Naomi Folkard 651 8  Abed Elaal (EGY) (57)
W 107–95		  Burgess (GBR) (40)
W 110–96		  Hayakawa (JPN) (9)
L 97–106		 Did not advance
Alison Williamson 651 7  Wei P-H (TPE) (58)
W 108–99		  Lorig (USA) (26)
L 108–112		 Did not advance
Charlotte Burgess
Naomi Folkard
Alison Williamson		 Team 1925 2 N/A Bye  Japan (JPN) (7)
W 201–196		  China (CHN) (3)
L 202–208		  France (FRA) (5)
L 201–203		 4

Athletics

Christine Ohuruogu after her victory in the women's 400 m.

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Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The initial squad was selected for the British team on 14 July; however, the final team was not confirmed until the outcome of a courtcase involving Dwain Chambers.[17] Under the rules of the BOA, Chambers had been banned from future Games after testing positive for the steroid THG in 2003. His appeal to overturn that ban, on the grounds that it was an unfair restraint of trade, failed and he was omitted from the squad.[18] The team included former Olympic medal winners Marlon Devonish and Kelly Sotherton, as well as former Olympic individual finalists Joanne Pavey, Paula Radcliffe, Helen Clitheroe and Tasha Danvers. Women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe faced a battle to be fit for the Games due to a stress fracture in her left thigh.[19] She eventually proved fit enough to start the race but struggled to finish in 23rd position.[20]

A total of four medals were won, one gold, two silver and one bronze. UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins stood down after the Games. This was due in part to the team's failure to meet the UK Sport target of winning five medals,[8][21]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round
Men
Track & road events
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Tyrone Edgar 100 m 10.13 1 Q 10.10 3 Q 10.18 7 Did not advance
Craig Pickering 10.21 3 Q 10.18 5 Did not advance
Simeon Williamson 10.42 3 Q 10.32 4 Did not advance
Marlon Devonish 200 m 20.49 1 Q 20.43 4 Q 20.57 7 Did not advance
Christian Malcolm 20.42 2 Q 20.30 4 Q 20.25 4 Q 20.40 5
Alex Nelson Withdrew due to hamstring injury
Martyn Rooney 400 m 45.00 1 Q N/A 44.60 2 Q 45.12 6
Andrew Steele 44.94 1 Q N/A 45.59 7 Did not advance
Michael Rimmer 800 m 1:47.61 1 Q N/A 1:48.07 6 Did not advance
Andrew Baddeley 1500 m 3:36.47 3 Q N/A 3:37.47 3 Q 3:35.37 7
Thomas Lancashire 3:43.40 7 N/A Did not advance
Mo Farah 5000 m 13:50.95 6 N/A Did not advance
Allan Scott 110 m hurdles 13.56 3 Q 13.66 6 Did not advance
Andy Turner 13.56 2 Q 13.53 5 Did not advance
Andrew Lemoncello 3000 m steeplechase 8:36.06 10 N/A Did not advance
Marlon Devonish
Tyrone Edgar
Craig Pickering
Simeon Williamson		 4 × 100 m relay DSQ N/A Did not advance
Michael Bingham
Richard Buck*
Dale Garland*
Martyn Rooney
Andrew Steele
Rob Tobin		 4 × 400 m relay 2:59.33 1 Q N/A 2:58.81 4
Dan Robinson Marathon N/A 2:16:14 24

* Qualified for the team, but did not compete in any of the rounds

Field events
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Distance Position Distance Position
Greg Rutherford Long jump 8.16 3 Q 7.84 10
Chris Tomlinson 7.70 27 Did not advance
Larry Achike Triple jump 17.18 7 Q 17.17 7
Nathan Douglas 16.72 20 Did not advance
Phillips Idowu 17.44 1 Q 17.62 2nd
Martyn Bernard High jump 2.29 =6 Q 2.25 9
Germaine Mason 2.29 =1 Q 2.34 2nd
Tom Parsons 2.25 12 Q 2.25 8
Steve Lewis Pole vault NM — Did not advance
Combined events – Decathlon
Athlete Event 100 m LJ SP HJ 400 m 110H DT PV JT 1500 m Final Rank
Daniel Awde Result 11.06 7.12 12.03 1.78 47.16 14.69 37.12 4.90 53.10 4:44.80 7516 21
Points 847 842 608 610 950 887 606 880 636 650
Women
Track & road events
Athlete Event Heat Quarterfinal Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Montell Douglas 100 m 11.36 2 Q 11.38 4 Did not advance
Jeanette Kwakye 11.30 2 Q 11.18 3 Q 11.19 3 Q 11.14 6
Laura Turner 11.65 4 Did not advance
Emily Freeman 200 m 22.95 2 Q 22.95 3 Q 22.83 7 Did not advance
Lee McConnell 400 m 51.87 3 Q N/A 52.11 6 Did not advance
Christine Ohuruogu 51.00 1 Q N/A 50.14 1 Q 49.62 1st
Nicola Sanders 51.81 2 Q N/A 50.71 4 Did not advance
Jennifer Meadows 800 m 2:00.33 3 Q N/A 1:59.43 6 Did not advance
Marilyn Okoro 1:59.01 2 Q N/A 1:59.53 6 Did not advance
Jemma Simpson 2:02.16 4 N/A Did not advance
Lisa Dobriskey 1500 m 4:03.22 3 Q N/A 4:02.10 4
Susan Scott 4:14.66 4 N/A Did not advance
Stephanie Twell 4:06.68 6 N/A Did not advance
Jo Pavey 5000 m Withdrew due to fatigue
10000 m N/A 31:12.30 12
Kate Reed 10000 m N/A 32:26.69 23
Sarah Claxton 100 m hurdles 12.97 3 Q N/A 12.84 4 Q 12.94 8
Tasha Danvers 400 m hurdles 55.19 1 Q N/A 54.31 2 Q 53.84 3rd
Helen Clitheroe 3000 m steeplechase 9:29.14 NR 6 N/A Did not advance
Barbara Parker 9:51.93 12 N/A Did not advance
Emma Ania
Montell Douglas
Emily Freeman
Jeanette Kwakye
Ashleigh Nelson*
Anyika Onuora*
Laura Turner*		 4 × 100 m relay 43.02 2 Q N/A DNF
Vicki Barr*
Donna Fraser*
Lee McConnell*
Christine Ohuruogu
Marilyn Okoro
Nicola Sanders
Kelly Sotherton		 4 × 400 m relay 3:25.48 3 Q N/A 3:22.68 5
Paula Radcliffe Marathon N/A 2:32:38 23
Mara Yamauchi N/A 2:27:29 6
Liz Yelling N/A 2:33:12 26
Johanna Jackson 20 km walk N/A 1:31:33 NR 22

* Qualified for the team, but did not compete in any of the rounds

Field events
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Distance Position Distance Position
Jade Johnson Long jump 6.61 11 q 6.64 7
Kate Dennison Pole vault 4.40 15 Did not advance
Philippa Roles Discus throw 57.44 27 Did not advance
Zoe Derham Hammer throw 64.74 35 Did not advance
Goldie Sayers Javelin throw 62.99 5 Q 65.75 NR 4
Combined events – Heptathlon
Athlete Event 100H HJ SP 200 m LJ JT 800 m Final Rank
Julie Hollman Result 14.43 1.77 12.45 25.41 6.13 39.08 2:22.54 5729 31*
Points 918 941 691 850 890 650 789
Kelly Sotherton Result 13.18 1.83 13.87 23.39 6.33 37.66 2:07.34 6517 4*
Points 1097 1016 785 1040 953 622 1004

* The athlete who finished in second place, Lyudmila Blonska of the Ukraine, tested positive for a banned substance.[22][23] Both the A and the B tests were positive, therefore Blonska was stripped of her silver medal, and both British heptathletes moved up a position.

Badminton

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Main article: Badminton at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Six British badminton players went to the Games, competing in four out of the five badminton events. They did not win any medals, thus failing to reach the one medal target set by UK Sport.[8] The mixed doubles pairing of Gail Emms and Nathan Robertson, who won silver in the 2004 tournament, progressed furthest amongst the British athletes, reaching the quarterfinals.

Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Andrew Smith Men's singles  Koukal (CZE)
W 10–21, 21–12, 21–15		  Zwiebler (GER)
L 16–21, 21–13, 21–17		 Did not advance
Tracey Hallam Women's singles  Yip P Y (HKG)
W 21–15, 21–17		  Ludíková (CZE)
W 21–18, 21–13		  Xu Hw (GER)
L 7–21, 10–21		 Did not advance
Gail Emms
Donna Kellogg		 Women's doubles N/A  Chien Y C /
Cheng W H (TPE)
L 19–21, 13–21		 Did not advance
Anthony Clark
Donna Kellogg		 Mixed doubles N/A  He Hb /
Yu Y (CHN)
L 15–21, 8–21		 Did not advance
Gail Emms
Nathan Robertson		 N/A  Zheng B /
Gao L (CHN)
W 21–16, 16–21, 21–19		 22x20px Lee Y-d /
Lee H-j (KOR)
L 19–21, 12–21		 Did not advance

Boxing

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Main article: Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A total of eight boxers qualified. David Price and Tony Jeffries both won bronze medals in the super heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions respectively. Middleweight James DeGale won a gold medal in the middleweight class. It was the first time that Great Britain has won more than one medal in boxing in a single games since 1972, and the best result for Great Britain in boxing since 1956.[24][25][26]

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Khalid Yafai Flyweight Bye  Laffita (CUB)
L 3–9		 Did not advance
Joe Murray Bantamweight  Yu G (CHN)
L 7–17		 Did not advance
Frankie Gavin Lightweight Withdrew – Failed to make weight[27]
Bradley Saunders Light welterweight  Neequaye (GHA)
W 24–1 KO		  Vastine (FRA)
L 7–11		 Did not advance
Billy Joe Saunders Welterweight  Kılıççı (TUR)
W 14–3		  Banteaux (CUB)
L 6–13		 Did not advance
James DeGale Middleweight  Hikal (EGY)
W 13–4		  Estrada (USA)
W 11–5		  Artayev (KAZ)
W 8–3		  Sutherland (IRL)
W 10–3		  Correa (CUB)
W 16–14		 1st
Tony Jeffries Light heavyweight Bye  Alvarez (COL)
W 5+–5		  Szello (HUN)
W 10–2		  Egan (IRL)
L 3–10		 Did not advance 3rd
David Price Super heavyweight N/A  Timurziev (RUS)
W RSC		  Jakšto (LTU)
W 3–1		  Cammarelle (ITA)
L 1–11		 Did not advance 3rd

Canoeing

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Main article: Canoeing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Seven competitors joined Team GB for the canoeing events, with four in the flatwater and three in the slalom. Anna Hemmings and Jessica Walker, in the K-2 kayaking pairs, were added later after complications with the Spanish team.[28] Three medals were won, two by Tim Brabants, who had previously won a bronze at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. This exceeded the target of two set by UK Sport.[8]

Slalom

Athlete Event Preliminary Semifinal Final
Run 1 Rank Run 2 Rank Total Rank Time Rank Time Rank Total Rank
David Florence Men's C-1 89.47 7 82.16 1 171.63 3 Q 90.46 4 Q 89.43 2 178.61 2nd
Campbell Walsh Men's K-1 86.72 14 85.72 8 172.44 9 Q 95.74 16 Did not advance
Fiona Pennie Women's K-1 160.06 19 99.00 7 259.06 17 Did not advance

Sprint

Athlete Event Heats Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Tim Brabants Men's K-1 500 m 1:36.338 1 QS 1:42.530 3 Q 1:37.671 3rd
Men's K-1 1000 m 3:27.828 1 QF Bye 3:26.323 1st
Lucy Wainwright Women's K-1 500 m 1:50.103 3 QS 1:52.580 2 Q 1:53.102 7
Anna Hemmings
Jessica Walker		 Women's K-2 500 m 1:47.435 9 Did not advance

Qualification Legend: QS = Qualify to semi-final; QF = Qualify directly to final

Cycling

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Main article: Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Triple gold medallist Chris Hoy.

Team GB's cycling squad for Beijing totalled twenty five entrants in the four disciplines. Included were two reigning Olympic track cycling champions, Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins, plus a further two medal winners from 2004, as well as several reigning track world champions. Great Britain won fourteen cycling medals (eight gold, four silver and two bronze) in total to top the cycling medal table. The Cycling team won the BBC Sports team of the year award and was nominated for Laureus World team of the year.

On the track Mark Cavendish was the only member of the squad of fourteen not to win at least one medal. Chris Hoy became Scotland's most successful Olympic competitor ever,[29] and the first Briton to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games since Henry Taylor in 1908.[12] His success resulted in the velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow being named in his honour.[30] Rebecca Romero became the first British woman to win a medal in two different Olympic sports by following her silver medal in the quadruple sculls rowing in 2004 with gold in the women's individual pursuit.[31]

In the debut appearance of BMX events at the Olympics, world champion Shanaze Reade finished out of the medals after crashing out of the women's final. Reade had been unbeaten all year and was the favourite to win the women's title.[32]

On the road Nicole Cooke's win in the women's road race provided the first Olympic gold for an athlete from Wales since Richard Meade in 1972.[33]

Road

Men
Athlete Event Time Rank
Jonathan Bellis Road race Did not finish
Steve Cummings Road race Did not finish
Time trial 1:05:07 11
Roger Hammond Road race Did not finish
Ben Swift Did not finish
Women
Athlete Event Time Rank
Nicole Cooke Road race 3:32:24 1st
Time trial 37:14.25 15
Sharon Laws Road race 3:33:17 35
Emma Pooley Road race 3:32:55 23
Time trial 35:16.01 2nd

Track

Sprint
Athlete Event Qualification Round 1 Round 2 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Rank Opposition
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Opposition
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Opposition
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Opposition
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Opposition
Time
Speed (km/h)		 Rank
Chris Hoy Men's sprint 9.815 OR
73.357		 1 Q  Dmitriev (RUS)
W 10.607
67.879		  Watanabe (JPN)
W 10.636
67.694		  Awang (MAS)
W 10.820, W 10.302		  Bourgain (FRA)
W 10.260, W 10.358		  Kenny (GBR)
W 12.228, W 10.216		 1st
Jason Kenny 9.857
73.044		 2 Q  Kwiatkowski (POL)
W 10.672
67.466		  Awang (MAS)
W 10.531
68.369		  Sireau (FRA)
W 10.546, W 10.595		  Levy (GER)
W 10.594, W 10.335		  Hoy (GBR)
L, L		 2nd
Victoria Pendleton Women's sprint 10.963 OR
65.675		 1 Q  Tsukuda (JPN)
W 11.736
61.349		 N/A  Krupeckaitė (LTU)
W 11.839, W 11.672		  Kanis (NED)
W 11.537, W 11.885		  Meares (AUS)
W 11.363, W 11.118		 1st
Chris Hoy
Jason Kenny
Jamie Staff		 Men's team sprint 42.950
62.863		 1 Q  United States (USA)
W 43.034
62.741		 N/A  France (FRA)
W 43.128
62.604		 1st
Pursuit
Athlete Event Qualification Semifinals Finals
Time Rank Opponent
Results		 Rank Opponent
Results		 Rank
Steven Burke Men's individual pursuit 4:22.260 5 Q  Dyudya (UKR)
4:21.558		 3 Q  Markov (RUS)
4:20.947		 3rd
Bradley Wiggins 4:15.031 OR 1 Q  Serov (RUS)
4:16.571		 1 Q  Roulston (NZL)
4:16.977		 1st
Wendy Houvenaghel Women's individual pursuit 3:28.443 NR 1 Q  Kozlíková (CZE)
3:27.829		 2 Q  Romero (GBR)
3:30.395		 2nd
Rebecca Romero 3:28.641 2 Q  Mactier (AUS)
3:27.703 NR		 1 Q  Houvenaghel (GBR)
3:28.321		 1st
Ed Clancy
Paul Manning
Geraint Thomas
Bradley Wiggins		 Men's team pursuit 3:57.101 1 Q  Russia (RUS)
3:55.202 WR		 1 Q  Denmark (DEN)
3:53.314 WR		 1st
Women's individual pursuit gold medallist Rebecca Romero.
Keirin
Athlete Event 1st round Repechage 2nd round Finals
Rank Rank Rank Rank
Ross Edgar Men's keirin 1 Q Bye 1 Q 2nd
Chris Hoy 1 Q Bye 1 Q 1st
Omnium
Athlete Event Points Laps Rank
Chris Newton Men's points race 56 2 3rd
Rebecca Romero Women's points race 3 0 11
Mark Cavendish
Bradley Wiggins		 Men's madison 6 –1 9

Mountain biking

Athlete Event Time Rank
Oli Beckingsale Men's cross-country 2:01:25 12
Liam Killeen 2:00:14 7

BMX

Athlete Event Seeding Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Result Rank Points Rank Points Rank Result Rank
Liam Phillips Men's BMX 37.392 28 18 7 Did not advance
Shanaze Reade Women's BMX 36.882 2 N/A 10 5 REL 8

Diving

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Main article: Diving at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A total of ten divers were part of Team GB in the individual and synchronised diving events,[34] including 14-year-old Tom Daley, the 2008 European 10 m champion and one of the youngest athletes to ever compete for Great Britain at an Olympics.[35]

Men
Athlete Events Preliminaries Semifinals Final
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Ben Swain 3 m springboard 390.30 26 Did not advance
Tom Daley 10 m platform 440.40 12 Q 458.60 8 Q 463.55 7
Peter Waterfield 497.65 4 Q 430.95 13 Did not advance
Nick Robinson-Baker
Ben Swain		 3 m synchronised springboard N/A 402.36 7
Blake Aldridge
Tom Daley		 10 m synchronised platform N/A 408.48 8
Women
Athlete Events Preliminaries Semifinals Final
Points Rank Points Rank Points Rank
Rebecca Gallantree 3 m springboard 232.75 25 Did not advance
Tonia Couch 10 m platform 320.40 12 Q 297.20 12 Q 328.70 8
Stacie Powell 313.90 14 Q 301.75 11 Q 303.50 10
Tandi Gerrard
Hayley Sage		 3 m synchronised springboard N/A 278.25 8
Tonia Couch
Stacie Powell		 10 m synchronised platform N/A 303.48 8

Equestrian

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Main article: Equestrian at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A total of twelve entrants competed for Team GB in the three equestrian disciplines that took place in Hong Kong. Zara Phillips, the reigning world eventing champion and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, had been included in the squad until her horse, Toytown, sustained an injury, which meant she missed her second successive Olympics.[36]

Dressage

Athlete Horse Event Grand Prix Grand Prix Special Grand Prix Freestyle Overall
Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank
Laura Bechtolsheimer Mistral Hojris Individual 65.917 24 Q 67.160 18 Did not advance
Jane Gregory Lucky Star 63.375 31 Did not advance
Emma Hindle Lancet 2 71.125 4 Q 70.440 9 Q 74.250 6 72.345 7
Laura Bechtolsheimer
Jane Gregory
Emma Hindle		 See above Team 66.805 7 N/A 66.805 6

(Total scores are the average of qualifying round 2 and freestyle final for the individual competition, and average of individual round 1 scores for the team competition.)

Eventing

Athlete Horse Event Dressage Cross-country Jumping Total
Qualifier Final
Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank
Tina Cook Miners Frolic Individual 40.20 13 17.20 57.40 10 0.00 57.40 6 Q 0.00 57.40 3 57.40 3rd
Daisy Dick Spring Along 51.70 # 37 17.20 68.90 # 24 11.00 79.90 # 24 Did not advance 79.90 24
William Fox-Pitt Parkmore Ed 50.20 # 34 10.00 60.20 14 4.00 64.20 14 Q 4.00 68.20 12 68.20 12
Sharon Hunt Tankers Town 43.50 18 47.60 91.10 # 38 4.00 95.90 # 35 Did not advance 95.90 35
Mary King Call Again Cavalier 38.10 9 18.00 56.10 5 8.00 64.10 13 Q 4.00 68.10 11 68.10 11
Tina Cook
Daisy Dick
William Fox-Pitt
Sharon Hunt
Mary King		 See above Team 121.80 4 51.90 173.70 3 12.00 185.70 3 N/A 185.70 3rd

# – Indicates that points do not count in team total

Show jumping

Athlete Horse Event Qualification Final Total
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round A Round B
Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank
Ben Maher Rolette Individual 1 =14 4 5 =13 Q 0 5 6 Q 0 =1 Q 20 20 =20 20 =20
Nick Skelton[37] Russel 1 =14 8 9 =22 Q 13 22 =31 Q 12 29 Did not advance 12 29
Tim Stockdale Fresh Direct Corlato 4 =30 4 8 =16 Q 8 16 =18 Q 0 =1 Q 16 16 =17 16 =16
John Whitaker Peppermill 5 =39 Withdrew – Lame horse
Michael Whitaker Suncal Portofino 63 Withdrew – Lame horse[37]
Ben Maher
Nick Skelton
Tim Stockdale
John Whitaker		 See above Team N/A 16 =4 21 37 7 37 7*

* On 21 August, four horses from Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Norway tested positive for a banned substance.[38] The riders were subsequently disqualified from the individual competition and if the B samples test positive then Brazil, Germany and Norway will be disqualified from the team competition and Great Britain will move into 5th place.

Fencing

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Main article: Fencing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Great Britain qualified three fencers for the fencing competition. Two of these came from the re-allocation of places by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), the governing body for Olympic fencing, after the withdrawal of other fencers.[39]

Men
Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Richard Kruse Individual foil N/A  Saliscan (ROU)
W 15–6		  Joppich (GER)
L 9–10		 Did not advance
Alex O'Connell Individual sabre  Kovalev (RUS)
L 14–15		 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Martina Emanuel Individual foil  Smart (USA)
L 7–15		 Did not advance

Field hockey

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Main article: Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Men's tournament

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Main article: Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament

The Great Britain men's team qualified for the men's Olympic field hockey tournament after a must-win game against India in the final of the Olympic qualifying event.[40] Great Britain was drawn in Group B of the Olympic tournament based on world rankings on 18 April 2008. Having finished 3rd in the pool the team went on to finish 5th overall, beating South Korea in the 5th vs. 6th place playoff. Matt Daly was the top scorer for the team with three goals.

Team roster

The following is the British roster in the men's field hockey tournament of the 2008 Summer Olympics.[41] view · talk

Head Coach: Jason Lee

Reserve:

  1. Niall Stott
  2. James Fair (GK)
Group play
Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Netherlands 5 4 1 0 16 6 +10 13
 Australia 5 3 2 0 24 7 +17 11
 Great Britain 5 2 2 1 10 7 +3 8
 Pakistan 5 2 0 3 11 13 −2 6
 Canada 5 1 1 3 10 17 −7 4
 South Africa 5 0 0 5 4 25 −21 0

     Advanced to semifinals

11 August 2008
10:30
v
Pakistan  2 – 4  Great Britain
Abbasi Template:Fhgoal
Waqas Template:Fhgoal		 Report Tindall Template:Fhgoal
Moore Template:Fhgoal
Jackson Template:Fhgoal
Daly Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
John Wright (RSA)
Amarjit Singh (MAS)
13 August 2008
21:00
v
Netherlands  1 – 0  Great Britain
Taekema Template:Fhgoal Report
Umpires:
Murray Grime (AUS)
Gary Simmonds (RSA)
15 August 2008
21:00
v
South Africa  0 – 2  Great Britain
Report Tindall Template:Fhgoal
Daly Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Christian Blasch (GER)
Rob ten Cate (NED)
17 August 2008
08:30
v
Great Britain  1 – 1  Canada
Daly Template:Fhgoal Report Pereira Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Roel van Eert (NED)
Gary Simmonds (RSA)
19 August 2008
20:30
v
Australia  3 – 3  Great Britain
George Template:Fhgoal
Dwyer Template:Fhgoal
Ockenden Template:Fhgoal		 Report Middleton Template:Fhgoal
R. Mantell Template:Fhgoal
Moore Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Christian Blasch (GER)
Xavier Adell (ESP)
Classification match for 5th/6th place
23 August 2008
11:00
v
South Korea  2 – 5  Great Britain
Jang Jong-hyun Template:Fhgoal
Hyun Hye-sung Template:Fhgoal		 Report Middleton Template:Fhgoal
Jackson Template:Fhgoal
Clarke Template:Fhgoal
Kirkham Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Murray Grime (AUS)
Roel van Eert (NED)

Women's tournament

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Main article: Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament

The Great Britain Women's team qualified for the women's Olympic field hockey tournament during the 2007 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship. Great Britain was drawn in Group B of the Olympic tournament based on world rankings on 5 May 2008. Having finished 3rd in the pool and proceeded to the 5th and 6th place classification match where they lost to Australia. Crista Cullen was the team's top scorer in the tournament with 3 goals.

Team roster

The following is the British roster in the women's field hockey tournament of the 2008 Summer Olympics.[41] view · talk

Head Coach: Danny Kerry

Reserve:

  1. Katy Roberts (GK)
  2. Laura Barlett
Group play
Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Germany 5 4 0 1 12 8 +4 12
 Argentina 5 3 2 0 13 7 +6 11
 Great Britain 5 2 2 1 7 9 −2 8
 United States 5 1 3 1 9 8 +1 6
 Japan 5 1 1 3 5 7 −2 4
 New Zealand 5 0 0 5 6 13 −7 0

     Advanced to semifinals

10 August 2008
21:00
v
Germany  5 – 1  Great Britain
Rinne Template:Fhgoal
Hoffmann Template:Fhgoal
Rodewald Template:Fhgoal		 Report Cullen Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Sarah Garnett (NZL)
Miao Lin (CHN)
12 August 2008
08:30
v
Argentina  2 – 2  Great Britain
García Template:Fhgoal
Gulla Template:Fhgoal		 Report Thomas Template:Fhgoal
Clewlow Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Marelize de Klerk (RSA)
Stella Bartlema (NED)
14 August 2008
21:00
v
New Zealand  1 – 2  Great Britain
Flynn Template:Fhgoal Report Danson Template:Fhgoal
Cullen Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Julie Ashton-Lucy (AUS)
Carolina de la Fuente (ARG)
16 August 2008
20:30
v
Great Britain  2 – 1  Japan
Panter Template:Fhgoal
Cullen Template:Fhgoal		 Report Miura Template:Fhgoal
Umpires:
Minka Woolley (AUS)
Carol Metchette (IRL)
18 August 2008
18:00
v
Great Britain  0 – 0  United States
Report
Umpires:
Ute Conen (GER)
Lisa Roach (AUS)
Classification match for 5th/6th place
22 August 2008
11:00
v
Australia  2 – 0  Great Britain
Blyth Template:Fhgoal
Munro Template:Fhgoal		 Report
Umpires:
Sarah Garnett (NZL)
Miao Lin (CHN)

Gymnastics

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Main article: Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB entered nine gymnasts into the artistic and trampoline events. Louis Smith, in winning the bronze medal in the men's pommel horse, became the first ever British gymnast to win an individual apparatus medal in gymnastics, and the first Briton to win any individual gymnastics medal since Walter Tysall won men's all-around medal in 1908.[42] Laura Jones was originally chosen for the artistic gymnastics but, due to a slipped disc in her back, she was replaced by the reserve Imogen Cairns.[43]

Artistic

Men
Athlete[44] Event Qualification Final
Apparatus Total Rank Apparatus Total Rank
F PH R V PB HB F PH R V PB HB
Daniel Keatings All-around 14.900 15.175 13.775 15.625 14.900 14.575 88.950 25 Q 14.850 15.700 14.000 15.800 14.425 14.225 89.000 20
Louis Smith All-around 13.700 15.325 13.325 15.375 13.425 14.175 85.325 41 Did not advance
Pommel horse N/A 15.325 N/A 15.325 5 Q N/A 15.725 N/A 15.725 3rd
Women
Team
Athlete[44] Event Qualification Final
Apparatus Total Rank Apparatus Total Rank
F V UB BB F V UB BB
Imogen Cairns Team 14.855 14.850 13.475 14.175 57.050 33 Did not advance
Beckie Downie 14.150 15.050 14.650 14.225 58.075 24 Q
Marissa King 13.750 14.875 13.475 14.325 56.425 42
Beth Tweddle 14.950 N/A 15.650 Q N/A
Hannah Whelan 14.125 13.500 N/A 14.325 N/A
Rebecca Wing N/A 14.550 14.575 14.575 N/A
Total 57.775 59.325 57.875 57.450 232.425 9
Individual finals
Athlete Event Apparatus Total Rank
F V UB BB
Beckie Downie All-around 14.100 15.025 15.625 14.700 59.450 12
Beth Tweddle Uneven bars N/A 16.625 N/A 16.625 4

The result of the uneven bars final, in which Britain's Beth Tweddle placed 4th, was called into question after documents were found that seemed to say that Chinese gymnasts He Kexin and Yang Yilin were only 14, and therefore under the age required to compete, at the time of the games. An investigation into their ages was launched by the IOC to determine whether it was necessary to disqualify them, thus Tweddle's standing could have been changed to 2nd, giving her a silver medal.[45] After a five and a half week investigation the Chinese athletes were cleared and the original results allowed to stand.[46]

Trampoline

Athlete Event Qualification Final
Score Rank Score Rank
Claire Wright Women's 63.10 10 Did not advance

Judo

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Main article: Judo at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB was represented by seven athletes in the Judo events.[48] No British Judoka made it past the quarterfinal stages of competition or through to the medal match of the repechage, meaning the team failed to meet the two medal target set by UK Sport.[8]

Men
Athlete Event Preliminary Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Repechage 3 Final / BM
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Craig Fallon −60 kg Bye  Siccardi (MON)
W 1010–0000		  Paischer (AUT)
L 0001–0002		 Did not advance  Ahamdi (MAR)
W 0011–0000		  Kim K-J (PRK)
W 0100–0001		  Yekutiel (ISR)
L 0101–0200		 Did not advance
Euan Burton −81 kg Bye  Lucenti (ARG)
W 0010–0001		  Attaf (MAR)
W 0010–0001		  Gontiuk (UKR)
L 0010–0121		 Did not advance Bye  Valles (COL)
W 0110–0001		  Camilo (BRA)
L 0010–0100		 Did not advance
Winston Gordon −90 kg N/A  Nabiev (UZB)
L 0020–0100		 Did not advance
Peter Cousins −100 kg N/A  Zhorzholiani (GEO)
L 0000–0010		 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage 1 Repechage 2 Repechage 3 Final / BM
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Sarah Clark −63 kg  Heill (AUT)
L 0100–1011		 Did not advance
Michelle Rogers −78 kg Bye 22x20px Jeong G-M (KOR)
L 0000–0001		 Did not advance
Karina Bryant +78 kg Bye  Zambotti (MEX)
L 0001–0021		 Did not advance

Modern pentathlon

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Main article: Modern pentathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB sent the maximum allowance of four competitors for the modern pentathlon events in Beijing. For the first time since 1996, the team had entrants in the men's competition.[49]

Athlete Event Shooting
(10 m air pistol)		 Fencing
(épée one touch)		 Swimming
(200 m freestyle)		 Riding
(show jumping)		 Running
(3000 m)		 Total points Final rank
Points Rank MP Points Results Rank MP points Time Rank MP points Penalties Rank MP points Time Rank MP Points
Sam Weale Men's 177 25 1060 18–17 13 832 2:02.87 8 1328 164 18 1036 9:21.18 8 1156 5412 10
Nick Woodbridge 160 35 856 14–21 29 736 1:55.96 2 1412 140 12 1060 9:34.46 20 1104 5168 25
Heather Fell Women's 185 6 1156 20–15 =11 880 2:12.77 3 1328 56 11 1144 10:19.28 5 1244 5752 2nd
Katy Livingston 178 18 1072 17–18 =18 808 2:15.68 7 1292 28 6 1172 10:29.47 10 1204 5548 7

Rowing

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Main article: Rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

There were 43 rowers in Team GB, the most since qualifying quotas were introduced after the 1992 Summer Olympics.[50] Crews were fielded in 12 out of a possible 14 events making Team GB the fourth biggest team. Medals were won in 6 events, which meant that GB topped the rowing medal table.[51] The medals won included gold in the coxless fours, for the third successive games, and Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter winning Great Britain's first ever lightweight rowing Olympic medal in the men's lightweight double sculls.[52]

Men
Athlete Event Heats Repechage Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Alan Campbell Single sculls 7:14.98 1 QF N/A 6:52.74 2 SA/B 7:05.24 2 FA 7:04:47 5
Robin Bourne-Taylor
Tom Solesbury		 Pair 6:59.48 4 R 6:41.43 4 FC N/A Bye 6:46.83 13
Stephen Rowbotham
Matt Wells		 Double sculls 6:26.33 1 SA/B Bye N/A 6:21.15 3 FA 6:29.10 3rd
Mark Hunter
Zac Purchase		 Lightweight double sculls 6:13.69 OB 1 SA/B Bye N/A 6:29.56 1 FA 6:10.99 1st
Tom James
Peter Reed
Andrew Triggs-Hodge
Steve Williams		 Four 6:00.59 1 SA/B Bye N/A 5:54.77 1 FA 6:06.57 1st
Richard Chambers
James Clarke
James Lindsay-Fynn
Paul Mattick		 Lightweight four 5:52.38 2 SA/B Bye N/A 6:08.75 3 FA 5:52.12 5
Richard Egington
Alastair Heathcote
Matthew Langridge
Tom Lucy
Acer Nethercott (cox)
Alex Partridge
Colin Smith
Tom Stallard
Josh West		 Eight 5:25.86 1 FA Bye N/A 5:25.11 2nd
Women
Athlete Event Heats Repechage Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Louisa Reeve
Olivia Whitlam		 Pair 7:29.88 3 R 7:34.54 2 FA N/A 7:33.61 6
Anna Bebington
Elise Laverick		 Double sculls 7:08.65 3 R 6:54.76 1 FA N/A 7:07.55 3rd
Helen Casey
Hester Goodsell		 Lightweight double sculls 6:55.23 3 R 7:24.23 1 SA/B 7:17.67 5 FB 7:11.24 11
Debbie Flood
Katherine Grainger
Frances Houghton
Annie Vernon		 Quadruple sculls 6:13.70 1 FA Bye N/A 6:17.37 2nd
Carla Ashford
Jess Eddie
Katie Greves
Natasha Howard*
Alison Knowles*
Caroline O'Connor (cox)
Natasha Page
Beth Rodford
Sarah Winckless		 Eight 6:08.68 2 R 6:12.10 3 FA N/A 6:13.74 5

Qualification Legend: FA=Final A (medal); FB=Final B (non-medal); FC=Final C (non-medal); FD=Final D (non-medal); FE=Final E (non-medal); FF=Final F (non-medal); SA/B=Semifinals A/B; SC/D=Semifinals C/D; SE/F=Semifinals E/F; QF=Quarterfinals; R=Repechage

* Substitutes in final because of illness: Louisa Reeve for Howard and Alice Freeman for Knowles

Sailing

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Main article: Sailing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Great Britain entered crews in all 11 sailing events at the Games.[1][53] The team finished top of the sailing medal table, with six medals won,[54] thus exceeding the target of four set by UK Sport.[8] Ben Ainslie won a gold medal for the third successive Games to become the most decorated British Olympic sailor of all time.[55]

Men
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 M*
Nick Dempsey RS:X 11 9 3 2 1 7 17 5 3 5 14 60 4
Paul Goodison Laser 15 2 15 1 9 7 1 4 6 CAN 18 63 1st
Jonathan Glanfield
Nick Rogers		 470 19 5 1 4 9 6 20 30
OCS		 2 3 6 75 2nd
Iain Percy
Andrew Simpson		 Star 7 13 3 5 8 2 1 1 2 6 14 49 1st
Women
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 M*
Bryony Shaw RS:X 4 3 11 6 28
OCS		 6 5 3 1 2 4 45 3rd
Penny Clark Laser Radial 2 22 1 22 3 17 18 23 13 CAN 14 112 10
Christina Bassadone
Saskia Clark		 470 20
DSQ		 8 3 4 15 13 8 3 15 5 8 82 6
Sarah Ayton
Sarah Webb
Pippa Wilson		 Yngling 2 3 4 7 4 2 2 5 CAN CAN 2 24 1st
Open
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 M*
Ben Ainslie Finn 10 1 4 1 1 10 2 2 CAN CAN N/A 2 23 1st
Stevie Morrison
Ben Rhodes		 49er 4 3 5 14 14 15 20
OCS		 3 2 8 11 15 CAN CAN CAN 6 100 9
Will Howden
Leigh McMillan		 Tornado 6 8 13 8 14 7 7 2 3 12 N/A 2 68 6

M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race; CAN = Race cancelled; OCS = On the course side of the starting line;

Shooting

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Main article: Shooting at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB had a total of five competitors for the shooting disciplines at the 2008 Olympics, with four entered in the shotgun events and one in the rifle events.

Men
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Points Rank Points Rank
Richard Faulds Double trap 137 5 Q 180 6
Jon Hammond 10 m air rifle 589 29 Did not advance
50 m rifle 3 positions 1148 42 Did not advance
50 m rifle prone 589 34 Did not advance
Steve Scott Double trap 134 14 Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Points Rank Points Rank
Elena Allen Skeet 66 14 Did not advance
Charlotte Kerwood Trap 58 16 Did not advance

Swimming

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Main article: Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington.

Thirty-seven athletes represented Team GB in the swimming events. Selection followed the 2008 British Olympic Swimming Trials in Sheffield in April, with open water event swimmers selected after performance in the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships, in Seville, Spain. In winning six medals (two gold, two silver and two bronze) the team bettered the target of three medals set by UK Sport.[8] The most successful swimmer was Rebecca Adlington who won two gold medals. Her 400 m freestyle success was Britain's first Olympic swimming title since 1988, and the first swimming gold by a British woman since 1960. Her second gold, in the 800 m freestyle, meant she also equalled the best performance by a British woman, from any sport, at the summer Olympics and was the best swimming performance by a Briton at the Olympics for 100 years.[56]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
David Carry 400 m freestyle 3:47.17 NR 15 N/A Did not advance
Richard Charlesworth 1500 m freestyle 15:17.27 25 N/A Did not advance
Chris Cook 100 m breaststroke 1:00.70 15 Q 1:00.81 15 Did not advance
Todd Cooper 100 m butterfly 52.52 29 Did not advance
Euan Dale 400 m individual medley 4:18.60 19 N/A Did not advance
Ross Davenport 200 m freestyle 1:47.13 11 Q 1:47.35 10 Did not advance
David Davies 1500 m freestyle 14:46.11 5 Q N/A 14:52.11 6
10 km open water N/A 1:51:53.1 2nd
Mark Foster 50 m freestyle 22.35 23 Did not advance
Kristopher Gilchrist 100 m breaststroke 1:01.34 27 Did not advance
200 m breaststroke 2:11.13 15 Q 2:10.27 NR 13 Did not advance
James Goddard 200 m individual medley 1:59.74 13 Q 1:58.63 6 Q 1:59.24 6
Thomas Haffield 400 m individual medley 4:16.72 17 N/A Did not advance
James Kirton 200 m breaststroke 2:15.25 37 Did not advance
Dean Milwain 400 m freestyle 3:48.77 21 N/A Did not advance
Robbie Renwick 200 m freestyle 1:47.82 17 Q 1:47.07 8 Q 1:47.47 8
Michael Rock 100 m butterfly 52.48 27 Did not advance
200 m butterfly 1:55.55 9 Q 1:55.90 12 Did not advance
Gregor Tait 100 m backstroke 54.62 16 Q 54.37 12 Did not advance
200 m backstroke 1:57.03 5 Q 1:56.72 6 Q 1:57.00 8
Liam Tancock 100 m backstroke 53.85 6 Q 53.61 6 Q 53.39 NR 6
200 m individual medley 1:59.79 14 Q 1:59.42 7 Q 2:00.76 8
Adam Brown
Simon Burnett
Ross Davenport
Benjamin Hockin		 4 × 100 m freestyle relay 3:13.69 NR 8 Q N/A 3:12.87 NR 8
David Carry
Ross Davenport
Benjamin Hockin
Andrew Hunter
Robbie Renwick		 4 × 200 m freestyle relay 7:07.89 NR 4 Q N/A 7:05.92 NR 6
Simon Burnett
Chris Cook
Michael Rock
Liam Tancock		 4 × 100 m medley relay 3:33.83 NR 5 Q N/A 3:33.69 NR 6

Qualifiers for the latter rounds (Q) of all events were decided on a time only basis, therefore positions shown are overall results versus competitors in all heats.

Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Rebecca Adlington 400 m freestyle 4:02.24 2 Q N/A 4:03.22 1st
800 m freestyle 8:18.08 OR 1 Q N/A 8:14.10 WR 1st
Kirsty Balfour 100 m breaststroke 1:08.30 14 Q 1:09.23 15 Did not advance
200 m breaststroke 2:27.87 18 Did not advance
Ellen Gandy 200 m butterfly 2:08.98 15 Q 2:10.60 15 Did not advance
Francesca Halsall 50 m freestyle 24.93 8 Q 24.80 10 Did not advance
100 m freestyle 53.93 5 Q 53.94 5 Q 54.29 8
100 m butterfly 58.70 21 Did not advance
Kate Haywood 100 m breaststroke 1:08.18 11 Q 1:08.36 11 Did not advance
Joanne Jackson 200 m freestyle 1:58.00 14 Q 1:58.70 14 Did not advance
400 m freestyle 4.03.80 4 Q N/A 4:03.52 3rd
Jemma Lowe 100 m butterfly 58.49 16 Q 57.78 NR 6 Q 58.06 6
200 m butterfly 2:08.07 10 Q 2:07.87 9 Did not advance
Caitlin McClatchey 100 m freestyle DNS Did not advance
200 m freestyle 1:56.97 3 Q 1:57.73 7 Q 1:57.65 6
Hannah Miley 200 m individual medley 2:11.72 4 Q 2:12.35 11 Did not advance
400 m individual medley 4:36.56 8 Q N/A 4:39.44 6
Cassie Patten 800 m freestyle 8:25.91 8 Q N/A 8:32.35 8
10 km open water N/A 1:59:31.0 3rd
Keri-Anne Payne 200 m individual medley 2.12.78 15 Q 2:14.14 16 Did not advance
400 m individual medley 4:38.69 15 N/A Did not advance
10 km open water N/A 1:59:29.2 2nd
Elizabeth Simmonds 100 m backstroke 1:00.53 12 Q 1:00.39 10 Did not advance
200 m backstroke 2:08.66 NR 2 Q 2:08.96 7 Q 2:08.51 NR 6
Gemma Spofforth 100 m backstroke 1:00.11 6 Q 59.79 5 Q 59.38 4
200 m backstroke 2:10.56 16 Q 2:09.19 9 Did not advance
Julia Beckett
Francesca Halsall
Melanie Marshall[57]
Caitlin McClatchey
Jessica Sylvester		 4 × 100 m freestyle relay 3:39.18 NR 8 Q N/A 3:38.18 NR 7
Rebecca Adlington
Francesca Halsall
Joanne Jackson
Melanie Marshall
Caitlin McClatchey
Hannah Miley		 4 × 200 m freestyle relay 7:56.16 9 N/A Did not advance
Francesca Halsall
Kate Haywood
Jemma Lowe
Gemma Spofforth		 4 × 100 m medley relay 3:59.14 2 Q N/A 3:57.50 4

Qualifiers for the latter rounds (Q) of all events were decided on a time only basis, therefore positions shown are overall results versus competitors in all heats.

Synchronised swimming

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Main article: Synchronized swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB was represented by two athletes in synchronised swimming, competing in the duet event.

Athlete Event Technical routine Free routine (preliminary) Free routine (final)
Points Rank Points Total (technical + free) Rank Points Total (technical + free) Rank
Olivia Allison
Jenna Randall		 Duet 43.917 14 44.667 88.584 14 Did not advance

Taekwondo

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Main article: Taekwondo at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Team GB entered three athletes into the taekwondo competition in Beijing. Sarah Stevenson won Team GB's first ever medal in Olympic taekwondo – a bronze in the women's +67 kg.[58]

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Michael Harvey Men's −58 kg  Pérez (MEX)
L 2–3		 Did not advance 22x20px Nikpai (AFG)
L 1–3		 Did not advance
Aaron Cook Men's −80 kg  Jason (MHL)
W 7–0		  Vásquez (VEN)
W 5–2		  Sarmiento (ITA)
L 5–6		 Bye  Zhu G (CHN)
L 1–4		 Did not advance 5
Sarah Stevenson Women's +67 kg  Dawani (JOR)
W 3–2		  Chen Z (CHN)
W 2–1*		  Espinoza (MEX)
L 1–4		 Bye  Abd Rabo (EGY)
W 5–1		 Did not advance 3rd

* After a successful appeal by the British, judges reversed the result of the match, granting Sarah Stevenson two points for a final round kick to her opponent's head which the judges had previously missed. The reversal of the decision, after video footage was considered, is thought to be a first for the sport.[58] Another British hopeful, Aaron Cook, was also unhappy with the judges after losing out on bronze in the men's -80 kg.[59]

Tennis

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Main article: Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The Murray brothers were the sole tennis players on Team GB. Andy Murray qualified due to his world ranking and Jamie Murray was nominated for the doubles by the International Tennis Federation, the governing body of world tennis.

Athlete Event Round of 64 Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final / BM
Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Opposition
Score		 Rank
Andy Murray Men's singles  Lu Y-H (TPE)
L 6–7(5–7), 4–6		 Did not advance
Andy Murray
Jamie Murray		 Men's doubles N/A  Nestor /
Niemeyer (CAN)
W 4–6, 6–3, 6–4		  Clément /
Llodra (FRA)
L 1–6, 3–6		 Did not advance

Triathlon

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Main article: Triathlon at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A total of five competitors were selected by Team GB for the triathlon events in Beijing, with three in the men's event and two in the women's. Four qualified through the Olympic Qualification rankings of the International Triathlon Union, the body responsible for organizing official world championship series races, while Helen Tucker qualified by winning the 2008 World Championships.

Athlete Event Swim (1.5 km) Trans 1 Bike (40 km) Trans 2 Run (10 km) Total Time Rank
Alistair Brownlee Men's 18:11 0:27 59:05 0:29 32:07 1:50:19 12
Will Clarke 18:53 0:27 58:23 0:31 32:18 1:50:32 14
Tim Don 18:54 0:26 Lapped on bike (eliminated)
Hollie Avil Women's 20:09 0:32 Did not finish
Helen Tucker 19:52 0:31 1:04:17 0:36 37:39 2:02:55 21

Weightlifting

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Main article: Weightlifting at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The only British weightlifter to qualify for the games was Michaela Breeze who competed in her second Olympic Games.[60] She battled through a back injury to finish 15th out of 20 competitors in her event.[61]

Athlete Event Snatch Clean & Jerk Total Rank
Result Rank Result Rank
Michaela Breeze Women's −63 kg 85 15 100 15 185 15

Sports not contested in Beijing

British representatives participated in the qualifying tournaments of a number of other Olympic sports in the lead up to the 2008 games, only for events outside of the athletes' control to prevent their further participation in the games.

Baseball

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Main article: Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The GB baseball team finished 2nd in the 2007 European Baseball Championship behind the Netherlands, guaranteeing them a place at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Taiwan. However, a lack of funding forced the team to withdraw, with their place being taken by Germany.[62]

Football

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Main article: Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The award of the 2012 Summer Olympics to London has brought the question of British participation in the football tournaments to the fore, given that there is traditionally no single British national football team. The British Olympic Association initially refused to rule out the possibility of entry for 2008, but were unable to come to an agreement with the Scottish Football Association.[63] The 2007 European Under-21 Championship, which served as the European qualifying tournament for the men's competition, saw the England U-21 team reach the semifinals, which would have meant a place at the Olympics. Because at the Olympics the team is representative of the entire UK, England were thus prevented from taking this place, with instead a play-off taking place between Portugal and Italy. A similar situation occurred with the England Women's team who, by virtue of being one of the top three European sides at the 2007 World Cup, would have been granted a place at the Olympics. Instead, there was a play-off between Denmark and Sweden.

Media coverage

The main rights to Olympic coverage in the United Kingdom are held by the BBC, under the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events. An extensive range of broadcasting options was used to provide over 2,500 hours of coverage.[64]

For the first time, Olympic coverage was broadcast in high-definition on BBC HD. Digital television viewers had access to up to six streamed channels covering the games on BBC Red Button, whilst the BBC's website permitted British broadband users to view live streams from a variety of events. Live broadcasts ran overnight and throughout the day on BBC One and BBC Two, starting at 0200 daily; a highlights programme, Games Today, was broadcast on BBC One following the close of each day's events.

The opening and closing ceremonies were anchored by Sue Barker and Huw Edwards, whilst general coverage was anchored (at various times of the day) by Adrian Chiles, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, Jake Humphrey, Sue Barker, Hazel Irvine and John Inverdale. Former Olympic contenders — including gold medallists Michael Johnson, Shirley Robertson, Adrian Moorhouse, Steve Redgrave, Jonathan Edwards and Chris Boardman — provided analysis.[65]

Eurosport also broadcast coverage of the Games viewable in the United Kingdom.[66] In accordance with the ITC Code, it can show live events, provided that such events can also be broadcast by the BBC (although the BBC can choose not to do so).

Radio coverage was provided by BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra on digital radio.[64]

See also

Notes

General
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Specific
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 2008 Official Results Part Two: Hockey – Wrestling, LA84 Foundation.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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