Britain hails Olympic Games as “greatest ever”

Great Britain’s chef de mission Andy Hunt has called his team’s performance at London 2012 their “greatest ever” after sealing third in the medal table.
Team GB finished behind the first-placed United States and China in second, but they could not be caught by fourth-placed Russia. “This is our greatest performance of our greatest team at the greatest Olympics ever,” Hunt told the BBC.
GB finished with 65 medals; 29 gold, 17 silver and 19 bronze. It surpassed their total of 47 at the 2008 Beijing Games and the target of at least 48 set by UK Sport.
“It’s been a massive privilege to do this,” Hunt said on BBC Olympic Breakfast.
“The performance of the athletes has been extraordinary and the collaboration across British sport to make it happen has been nothing like we’ve ever seen before.
“Combine that with the support of the British public and it’s been magical. We know that 70% of athletes usually do not win a medal at an Olympic Games. We’ve unquestionably exceeded our expectations.”
Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the performance of the British team, saying they had helped lift the entire nation.
“It has been an extraordinary few weeks for our country,” the Prime Minister told BBC Olympic Breakfast. “It’s lifted the whole country, brought people together and it’s been a fantastic performance. I’m very proud of what we’ve done.
“This is a very confident country that has delivered something on time, on budget and superbly well done. We are a country that cannot just deliver but shines when it does so.”
British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan said the face of British sport would be “transformed” by the Games.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=46862