Top ten British hopes for Gold in Rio

Here Press Association Sport identifies 10 of our best hopes for standing on top of the podium in 2016:

ADAM PEATY

The 21-year-old will head to Rio as the reigning world record holder and world champion in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke, making him a huge favourite to claim Great Britain’s first men’s Olympic swimming title since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988.

MAX WHITLOCK

A double bronze medallist in London, Whitlock became the first British man to win an individual world gymnastics title in Glasgow in 2015. Favourite on the pommel, Whitlock could also challenge Japanese great Kohei Uchimura for the all-around title.

GILES SCOTT

A four-time world champion in the Finn class, Scott has dominated his category since missing out on a place at London 2012, only recently seeing a three-year unbeaten run come to an end. Scott’s winning streak is expected to resume in Rio.

NICOLA ADAMS

All-conquering Adams recently added the world title to her ever-growing collection of honours at the fourth time of trying. The flyweight is set to become the first Briton to retain an Olympic boxing gold medal since Harry Mallin in 1924.

BIANCA WALKDEN

Her team-mate and best friend Jade Jones may get closer attention but Walkden is the reigning world taekwondo champion in the women’s +73kg division and will head into the Games on the back of a long unbeaten streak.

LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD

The Otley star was pipped to road race gold in 2012 by Marianne Vos. But she bounced back to win the world title in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, making her the racer to beat in one of the first gold medal events of the Games.

JESSICA ENNIS-HILL

It has been far from plain sailing for Ennis-Hill since her historic heptathlon triumph in 2012. But since her return from time out to start a family, she has shown glimpses of the form that swept her to gold in London.

MO FARAH

Farah faces a monumental task to repeat his double-winning feat of four years ago. But he managed to claim both 5000m and 10000m titles at the 2015 World Championships and will accept nothing less than a repeat performance in Rio.

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE

The bane of his younger brother Jonny, Leeds triathlete Alistair Brownlee continues to conquer his rivals with apparent ease. A brotherly one-two is the most likely outcome in Rio - with Ali edging it yet again.

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN

Nothing Charlotte Dujardin has done since winning her two dressage gold medals in London suggests she will not be on top of the podium again. The 30-year-old also goes to Rio as a double defending world champion.