GB Olympic Medal Contenders: Ones to Watch

LONDON - July 28th, The Guardian

Gold
Phillips Idowu (Triple jump)
Top of the world rankings, he was already the big favourite before Sweden's Christian Olsson, the defending champion, withdrew because of injury.

Kelly Sotherton (Heptathlon)
The decision of Sweden's Carolina Kluft not to compete in the event she is unbeaten in for six years, in favour of the long jump and triple jump, has thrown the competition wide open. Sotherton, though, needs to have a good javelin to come out on top.

Silver
Christine Ohuruogu (400m)
She was crowned the world champion last year in the absence of the unbeaten Sanya Richards, but with the American in the field in Beijing things will be much tougher this time.

Bronze
Nicola Sanders (400m)
The runner-up to Ohuruogu last year, her build-up has been interrupted by a series of injuries, so she may not be able to repeat her 2007 form.

Jo Pavey (10,000m)
After coming fourth in the world championships last year, Pavey has enjoyed a good build-up so will be looking to make the step up.

Paula Radcliffe (marathon)
A fully-fit Radcliffe is nearly three minutes quicker than any of her rivals, but a stress fracture of the femur has disrupted preparations badly and it will be a miracle if she wins any medal as she has not raced for nine months.

Andy Baddeley (1500m)
The most likely of Britain's long-shots to come through, if everything goes right for him.

4x100m (men)
They are defending champions after their shock victory in Athens, but it is hard to imagine how they can finish ahead of Jamaica and the United States if that pair both get the baton round.

4x400m (women)
With Ohuruogu and Sanders they are strong contenders for a medal, but much will depend on how the others, who may include Sotherton, run.