GB close in on Beijing gold haul

Victoria Pendleton has told Daybreak that she is looking forward to life away from track after her last Olympic race.

Great Britain's team stands on the brink of achieving their best gold medal haul in an Olympics for more than a century.

The tally stands at 18 golds already and 40 medals - the Beijing total was 19 and 47 - with six days of competition still to come.

Two more golds - and Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and triathlon's Brownlee brothers are all serious contenders - and it will be Britain's best haul since 1908.

Lord Coe, the organiser of London 2012, has demanded more compulsory sport in schools to capitalise on the enthusiasm generated by the Olympics and to stop Britain's stunning successes from being a flash in the pan, reports the Independent.

The Telegraph reports that Olympic showjumping gold medalist Nick Skelton was once injured so badly that doctors warned another fall from the saddle would kill him.

He has also had a hip replacement and two knee operations. Skelton, 54, yesterday became Britain’s oldest gold medallist for more than 40 years.

Britain is on the verge of its most successful Olympics for more than a century after winning two gold medals in track cycling and equestrianism during another historic day at the Games.

With six days of competition to go, the British team is just two gold medals away from its haul of 19 from the Beijing Olympics four year ago, reports The Times.

Sir Steve Redgrave has said of Team GB's success at the Games in the Radio Times: "We used to think that winning about five golds each Games was acceptable.

"We thought it was a good result. But we don't accept that any more. We used to get a lot of silvers, but since the Lottery funding has come in, those athletes are now providing the results.

"Staging the Games has also made a huge difference. No government wants to preside over a Games in which the home nation fails, so a lot of money has gone in."

Sir Steve also suggested that he would have received more recognition if he had secured his own golds in another sport.

"If I'd achieved what I've achieved in football, what would have happened? David Beckham has legendary status around the world. He's been pretty successful with Manchester United and Madrid. But no world titles.

"It does depend on what sport you're involved in. My point... (is) a factual one rather than a jealousy thing."

On Monday, British cyclist Jason Kenny became Great Britain's first double gold medallist of London 2012 after winning the individual sprint .

He had already won the team sprint golf with Sir Chris Hoy and Philip Hindes last Thursday.

Victoria Pendleton and Sir Chris Hoy both have the opportunity to finish their Olympic careers with a final record-breaking gold rush today when Great Britain will attempt to equal or even better Beijing four years ago when they left China with seven gold medals, reports the Telegraph.