LONDON, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Having gradually improved its results at the Summer Olympic Games over the past 20 years, Team Great Britain could expect another top-five finish on the medal table at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
From Sydney to Rio, Team GB has achieved an increase in the total number of medals for five consecutive Olympic Games. At each of the last three Olympic Games, it collected more than 60 medals.
Cycling has always been a significant source of Olympic medals for Britain. From Beijing to Rio, Britain won no less than six gold medals and no less than nine medals in track cycling events at three consecutive Olympic Games. Although Britain's number of gold medals in track cycling shrank to three at the Tokyo Olympics, it was able to gain "compensation" from the four newly added BMX events, stealing the limelight with two golds, one silver, and one bronze.
Britain is also a powerhouse in rowing, having won gold at every Games from 1984 to 2016. A 42-athlete Olympic squad was confirmed earlier this month, with half of the rowers set to participate in the Olympic Games for the first time in Paris.
In sailing, Britain has won gold medals in six consecutive Olympic Games, with the number of medals ranging from three to six at each Games.
Britain performs well not only on the water but also in the water. At the Tokyo Olympics, their swimmers won an unprecedented four golds, three silvers, and one bronze, making them the best team after the United States and Australia. Three years later, the squad, led by breaststroke specialist Adam Peaty and prolific Olympic medalist Duncan Scott, remains competitive in the pool.
Additionally, Britain boasts star athletes and strong teams in athletics, gymnastics, and diving. Maintaining a total medal count above 60 at the Paris Olympics should be a reasonable goal for Britain.
On the medal table, although it is challenging for Britain to compete with the United States and China, it is a strong competitor to host France, as well as Australia, Germany, Japan among others. ■
