Laura Trott has hit back at cyclists from other who have raised questions over how Team GB’s riders were able to dominate at the velodrome at Rio, pointing out that the country targets the Olympic Games above world championships.
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British Airways flight BA2016 will carry Team GB back to Heathrow decorated with a gold nose and the name “victoRIOus” on its livery.
Dubbed the “golden games”, Team GB collected a record 27 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze medals, finishing above mighty China in the medals table.
With wins ranging from Andy Murray’s triumph over Juan Martin del Potro on the tennis court to Katie Archibald’s role in the track cycling women’s team pursuit, 16 Scots contributed to the haul.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry said the team was an “inspiration to us all, young and old”.
She said: “They haven’t just made history; by showing just how far talent and hard work can take you, they have inspired the next generation”.
As for every boy and girl in Great Britain, there is now no excuse for not wanting to emulate Team GB’s Rio medal winners- and making an Olympic dream one day come true.
Having become the first nation to beat their medal total from a preceding home Olympics, England was full of praise for Team GB’s efforts.
Manchester and London are both set to play host to celebratory parades to mark the team’s astonishing feats. “There is no formal cap on the number of honours that can be awarded”.
Many took selfies with their Team GB colleagues on the tarmac, continuing a theme that had applied throughout the journey.
Those members of the successful squad who had remained in Rio beamed as they waved to the crowds – with bronze-winning gymnast Nile Wilson perched on a team-mate’s shoulders for a better view.
There will also be pole vaults, javelins and a 6.7-metre sail in the hold, while 77 bottles of champagne and a three-course menu will be on offer. The US was top.
Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the British Olympic Association said the success was down to two decades of hard work and investment in British sport.
Speaking at the conclusion of the Rio games on Sunday, UK Sport chief executive Liz Nicholl said: “We’re making sporting history – 67 medals, almost 130 medallists, across 19 sports”. Earlsfield’s super-heavyweight boxer Joe Joyce and Elthamstow’s taekwondo athlete Lutalo Muhammad came agonisingly close to gold in dramatic finals.
The 2016 Olympic Games ended with a spectacular closing ceremony on Sunday, as Tokyo were also handed hosting duties for the 2020 edition.
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In a nod to one of the nation’s best-loved exports – games giant Nintendo – Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was “helped’ to the games by Super Mario before appearing in the stadium out of a giant green pipe”.
