Statistics show that athletes are more successful competing at their second Games - though swimmer Adam Peaty made his debut in Rio and still won gold and smashed the 100m breaststroke world record.
So which Team GB stars, who made their debut in Brazil, could be making the headlines at Tokyo 2020?
All eyes were on Mo Farah in the 5,000m final but Scot Andrew Butchart finished sixth and clocked a personal best 13:08.61 time.
And this is what Mo thought.
“Andrew Butchart is the man,” he said. “He was protecting me and he was helping me out in the race. I’ve seen him training, he’s a nice lad and very sensible. He has a lot to learn, but he has great talent. I’ve got a lot of time for him.” Read more here.
Amber Hill, just 18, finished sixth in the women’s skeet final - and insists next time she’ll be ready for the pressure cooker of Olympic competition.
“It is just something no one can prepare you for. No one can put into words how electric the atmosphere is,” she said.
“There is a lot of hard work over the next four years for Tokyo and a lot of experience to gain because I am only 18 but I think there is a lot of good things to come from me.” Read more here.
Golfer Charley Hull finished sixth in Rio and loved the experience of being part of the team.
Still only 20, she missed out on a first major title by a single shot this year at the ANA Inspiration in California earlier this year.
“I’ve loved the experience and it’s been nice to be at an event where golfers aren’t the main people, it’s nice to be walking around with different people in different settings,” she said.
“Being around all the Olympians and going to the gym and seeing them all work out in different ways has been really cool.” Read more here.
Grace Reid’s choice of sport has often prompted mum Liz to cover her eyes due to nerves.
But after finishing eighth in the 3m springboard final at her first ever Olympic Games, the European bronze medallist believes she might have finally convinced her mum to do away with the tension.
“I’m going to sit down at the drawing board with my coach. I’m going to enjoy this while it lasts, have a bit of a holiday and then it will be back to the hard work and building towards Tokyo,” said the 20-year old. Read more here.
Max Litchfield competed on the first day of the Games and marked his Olympic debut with an impressive fourth place finish in the men’s 400m medley - clocking a personal best in the heats and final.
“It’s an honour to be the first guy out, it’s what everyone dreams of. To be able to go out there and swim fast and swim well is absolutely amazing,” he said.
“It’s fourth but I was still two seconds behind the guy who was third. To come fourth in my first Games and two personal bests is not bad at all though.” Read more here.
Laura Muir finished seventh in the women’s 1500m final but there is no doubting that the 23-year old middle distance runner has a big future.
Muir beat Dame Kelly Holmes’ 12-year-old British record when she won London’s Anniversary Games in 3:57.49 minutes and declared herself happy with her Games debut.
“For a first Olympics to make the final in the way that I did and to perform as I did in that final I am really proud,” she said.
“It will take a few more years to get that strength but hopefully I can look toward Tokyo 2020.” Read more here.
A top-ten finish achieved and two personal bests matched, weightlifter Rebekah Tiler was beaming after her Games debut in Rio.
At just 17 years of age, Tiler was never realistically going to trouble the podium but come Tokyo 2020, she predicts that will all change.
“I could have done a little bit better but I was a little bit nervous,” she admitted.
“I equalled my own best, which is good on an Olympic stage. This is all about experience this one but for 2020. I’m aiming for gold then.” Read more here.
Amy Tinkler may have been the youngest member of Team GB in Brazil but she certainly came of age.
The 16-year-old - who picked up her GCSE results the day she landed back in the UK - continued British gymnastics remarkable run by claiming a shock bronze in the floor final.
“I put no pressure on myself, neither did my coaches or family. They just told me to that I had nothing to lose to go out there and enjoy it,” she said.
“Hopefully you will see me back out here in 2020 and there will be more medals to come.” Read more here.
Chloe Tutton admits life will never be the same again after making her Olympic debut in Rio.
National champion Tutton, just 20, finished fourth in the fourth in the 200m breaststroke final and helped Great Britain’s 4x100m medley relay team to a new national record in their final.
“I’m sure it won’t be normal for the rest of my life after this as I’ll be able to look back and think ‘I’m an Olympian now’ and that’s always been my dream,” she said.
“Tokyo 2020 was always my target, so hopefully I can pull that off as well.”
Callum Skinner returns from his debut Games with a team sprint gold and individual sprint silver in his pocket.
Only 24, he was praised by fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny for his performances in Rio - and they know what they are talking about with 12 track cycling sprint golds between them.
Kenny has yet to decide on his future but Team GB’s impressive track record looks in safe hands with Skinner.
“I never thought I’d be going home with two medals, I’m so excited about Tokyo already,” he said. Read more here.
Sportsbeat 2016