Olympics 2012: Great Britain Will Have a Strong Showing as Olympic Host

Headed into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Great Britain hadn't won more than 43 medals at the Summer Games since 1908 in London.

But that is exactly what the British did in 2008, capturing 47 medals, including 19 gold medals.

Headed into the 2012 London Olympics, Great Britain is at it again, ready to make a difference in a variety of events.

UK Sport tabs Great Britain to win a minimum of 48 medals this year, potentially pushing its way into the top three in the world, per BBC Sport. According to the organization, the country is expected to perform highest in athletics, cycling, rowing and swimming.

In 2008, Great Britain won 14 medals in cycling alone, as well as six medals in rowing and swimming. The British won four medals in athletics.

Beyond that, Great Britain should have a shot at a few medals in boxing, canoeing, equestrian and sailing. The country won six sailing medals in the 2008 Summer Games.

While it's hard to see the hosts placing first or second in total medals this year, there's a chance they challenge the Russians for third overall. There is certainly no shame in that.

In 1908, Great Britain won a whopping 146 medals, including 56 gold medals and 51 silver medals. Nobody can expect the country to ever do that again, but the uptick in medals in 2008 was indeed encouraging. The British won 15 medals in 1996, 28 medals in 2000 and 30 medals in 2004 before the outburst in the last Summer Olympics.

While Great Britain may not be the world power in the 2012 London Olympics, it should still serve its country proud with a strong performance across the board.

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