ContinueAnd so the time has come. We have waited 7 years since we won the bid, and 64 years since we last staged the Olympics, but the Games are just one day away and we, the British nation, expects. Four years ago we won a very credible 19 gold medals and finished fourth in the overall medals table. This time I expect even better. Here are my big GB 10 gold medal tips.
1): Ben Ainslie: Been there, seen it, done it and worn the t-shirt until it has become worn and ragged, the most ruthless British man on water since Horatio Nelson will win the Finn Class, his fourth successive gold medal (to add to a silver at the 1996 Games)and quite rightly expect to be knighted. He deserves nothing less.
2): Bradley Wiggins: The man of the moment, the Modfather himself, who may well help Mark Cavendish win the road race on Saturday before winning the time trial and a fourth Olympic gold next week. You doubt this? Did you see Wiggo's time trials in the Tour de France? Again, a knighthood and SPOTY beckons.
3): Rebecca Adlington: The girl the nation fell in love with four years' ago is back to her best. Whether this is enough to successfully defend her 400 metres freestyle title is unclear because of Italy's Federica Pellegrini, but in the 800 metres Becky is in a world of her own. Expect gold, then tears in the pool.
4): Alistair Brownlee (or Jonathan): It's tougher being the best triathlete in their own family than in the world but the smart money says Alistair will become Olympic triathlete champion and his younger brother will be just behind him in silver. If they're feeling generous they might let someone else win bronze.
5): Jessica Ennis: The former world champion is also back to her best and although she's lost a couple of times in the past year she's been consistent enough to finish second on both times whilst her rivals blow hot and cold. Expect the golden girl of British athletics to strike it rich inside the Olympic stadium.
6): Katherine Grainger: Three times a silver medallist in the past three Olympics this time Katherine, with partner Anna Watkins, looks good - very good - for gold in the women's double sculls. If the homicide student finally cracks it her tears may just cause a flood in Eton.
7): Chris Hoy: The knight of the realm (and of the velodrome) only has a mere two attempts to win a fifth Olympic gold medal and better Sir Steve Redgrave's record (5 golds and a bronze) courtesy of the Scot's silver as well. Team GB will do well to win the Team Sprint but in the keirin old big thighs is unstoppable.
8): Mo Farah: It's crazy to talk about a Brit being capable of beating the best Kenya and Ethiopia can offer but Mo Farah - OK, so he was born in Somalia but he's been here since 10 - can do just that. He's got a chance in the 10K. He's got an even bigger chance in the 5K. Expect 2 medals, one at least gold.
9): Victoria Pendleton: This will be Queen Victoria's final appearance in her sport and she plans to go out with a bang, so to speak. Work needs to be done in the team sprint and keirin but in the sprint she's world champ and, as Aussie rival Anna Meares has found out, Vicky takes some beating.
10): Mark Cavendish: Another cyclist (and I could have named more)shows the rise of British cycling. As Cav proved in the Champs Elysees and elsewhere if you put him in the right position to strike, he is unbeatable in a dash to the finish line. With Wiggins, Chris Froome, David Millar and others to help, it's a done deal.
Look out also for Anthony Joshua, Iain Percy, Nick Dempsey, Christine Ohuruguo, Robbie Grabarz, Perri Shakes-Drayton, Lawrence Okoye, the men's coxless fours, Laura Trott, the women's team pursuit, Paul Goodison, Fran Halsall, Kerri-Anne Payne, Liam Tancock, Sarah Stevenson, Anthony Ogogo, Tom Daley, Helen Jenkins, Lizzie Armitstead and so on and so on.
