There’s 100 days to go until the world stands still and all eyes turn to Brazil for the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The Olympic cycle has so far brought with it high and lows, with world titles and records and the emergence of rising stars to the forefront of the sporting world.
But, while the wait might nearly be over, there is still plenty of drama to unfold before the curtain rises on the biggest show on earth. So let’s take a look at what’s happened so far and what to look out for in the coming months.
Since London 2012 came to a close there have been some stunning performances from some of Team GB’s most familiar faces.
Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah have all gone from strength to strength while Andy Murray was crowned Wimbledon champion in 2013 and has reached three Australian Open finals since winning Olympic gold as well as inspiring Britain to Davis Cup glory.
Elsewhere, Nicola Adams has been adding medals galore to her collection and Charlotte Dujardin became a freestyle and spécial dressage World Champion aboard Valegro in 2014.
Olympic modern pentathlon silver medallist Samantha Murray claimed an individual world title in the same year and it was more of the same for Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee who added Commonwealth medals to their Olympic success.
Team GB’s athletes have every reason to head to Rio 2016 brimming with confidence after some world-beating performances in a host of sports over the last 18 months.
On two wheels Great Britain re-established their track cycling dominance with nine medals at the World Championships in London while Lizzie Armitstead was victorious at the Road World Championships in Richmond and Chris Froome clinched a second Tour de France title.
There was history made in Glasgow where both the men’s and women’s gymnastics teams claimed world medals for the first time while Max Whitlock became Britain’s inaugural World Champion after his exploits on the pommel horse.
And on the water Great Britain’s rowers lived up to the country’s proud tradition in the sport as they topped the World Championship medal table with five golds, nine silvers and one bronze.
While the established stars have been keeping their momentum going a host of young talent has risen to the fore of the international scene.
On the athletics track, 20-year-old Dina Asher-Smith has established herself as Britain’s fastest woman of all time while CJ Ujah and Adam Gemili became the fifth and sixth British sprinters to dip below the ten-second barrier.
In the pool James Guy and Adam Peaty both claimed world titles while the latter also holds two world records in his preferred breaststroke discipline. Elsewhere, 21-year-old diver Jack Laugher picked up two world bronze medals as Britain’s divers went toe-to-toe with the world’s best in Kazan last year.
At present there are 53 athletes that have officially been welcomed into the Team GB fold.
The sailors were the first to join the ranks with Giles Scott leading the line while six shooters have also been selected, including European Games skeet champion Amber Hill.
The canoe slalom team were the next in line with Olympic silver medallists David Florence and Richard Hounslow looking to go one better this time around.
A squad of 26 swimmers was announced earlier this month following the Olympic trials in Glasgow and Team GB’s marathon representatives emerged following last week’s feats at the London Marathon.
The rest of Team GB will be announced sport-by-sport in the coming months with the final names securing their plane ticket to Rio in mid-July.
With around 300 more athletes set to join Team GB from 20 sports there are still plenty of places up for grabs before the Opening Ceremony in August.
Next month will see the swimmers representing Team GB compete at the European Aquatics Championships in London while Nottingham will host the European Archery Championships.
June will also be action packed with the Hockey Champions Trophy at the Olympic Park and Leeds hosting an ITU World Triathlon event.
And with the British Athletics Championships in June and the Anniversary Games in July it’s certainly set to be a roller coaster ride before Rio 2016.
Team GB’s inspiring and astounding performance during London 2012 captured the imagination of the nation. Our challenge for Rio 2016 is to now ensure athletes feel a great a wave of enthusiasm and support again and you can play your part by signing up to the Team GB Club right here!
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