Great Britain's Brightest 2012 Olympic Stars

Author: Anton Johan

While every single member of Great Britain's 2012 Olympic contingent has no doubt earned his or her place on the squad, there are a realistically only a handful of athletes that Great Britain is pinning its hopes and dreams on, and we have put together a short description of our Top 10 best British Olympians:

Jessica Ennis, a picturesque all-round athlete and poster-girl for the 2012 London Olympics, kicks off this illustrious list. She overcame a career-threatening injury to become the powerhouse she is today.

Mark Cavendish, Britain's most successful road cyclist, won the final stage of the recent 2012 Tour de France and is still riding high as a result. He is no doubt in line for an Olympic medal, hopefully gold.

Pendleton is the Most Successful British Cyclist

Victoria Pendleton, a seasoned Olympic sprint track cycling champion, is officially the most successful British cyclist in history, with eight world titles to her name. Expect her to clean up in this year's Olympics.

Ben Ainslie, a formidable sailor, will attempt to win his fourth gold medal in this year's games, and by all accounts, he is in tremendous form and more than ready to make his country proud in the coming weeks.

Mo Farah, a talented long distance runner, who not only snatched the World 5000m title last year, but has accrued an impressive seven British records, hopefully eight, if London 2012 proves conducive enough.

Adlington Smashed a Two-Decade Old Record

Rebecca Adlington, a freestyle swimmer, is no stranger to Olympic glory after winning not one but two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in the process smashing an almost two-decade old record.

Phillips Idowu, a long-limbed triple jumper, could well springboard himself to Olympic gold and glory this year if his form holds up. He is currently the world, European and Commonwealth champion in his discipline.

Shanaze Reade, a BMX wunderkind, has a lot to prove in London after she crashed out in Beijing four years ago. But back in form with three BMX World Championships under her belt, she is a real contender.

Radcliffe Won the 2008 New York Marathon

Paula Radcliffe, a top marathon runner, recently returned to the sport after giving birth, and by all accounts is back and ready to deliver the same winning form that secured her victory in the New York Marathon in 2008.

Andrew Simpson and Iain Percy, a pair of sailing powerhouses, returned home from Beijing with a gold medal each, and as the current world and European champions, seem very well-primed to win gold again.

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