Team GB has officially reached their minimum medal target for the Paris Olympics after Ellie Aldridge’s gold medal in the women’s kite.
Great Britain’s fortunes at the Olympics changed dramatically back in 2008 when they finished inside the top four of the medal table for the first time since 1924.
The likes of Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Adlington led the way for Team GB to push them up towards the top of the medal table.
They’ve had lofty targets ever since and improved once again in London 2012 with 65 overall medals and an incredible 29 golds to finish third.
Ellie Aldridge’s podium finish in the women’s kite pushed Team GB over the 50 medal target
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That was bettered once more in Rio 2016 with 67 overall medals to finish second in the table.
Tokyo saw Team GB’s rise slow down as they finished with a similar tally of 64 and a modest target between 50-70 was set for Paris 2024.
Team GB took 327 athletes to Paris, 78 of which were either reigning or former world champions in their sport.
UK Sport’s Director of Performance, Katie Baker, said back in July that they were ‘feeling confident’ about getting at least 50 medals in Paris.
She added: “On a good day 70 is really within our grasp.”
Ellie Aldridge scooped the Gold medal
PA
Gold in the equestrian team eventing final kicked things off for Team GB at the Paris Olympics with Tom Pidcock doubling their tally in the men’s cross-country.
Bryony Page, Alex Yee and Keely Hodgkinson were among the other individual gold medallists for Team GB.
But there were plenty of silvers and bronze for British athletes in Paris to put them on the verge of reaching their minimum target on Thursday.
And Aldridge got Great Britain over the mark in style with gold in a thrilling women’s kite contest.
The world No 3 was locked in a head-to-head battle with France’s Lauriane Nolot, who went into the final with two wins under her belt.
But Aldridge turned things around in the final before crossing the finish line to secure the Team GB’s 13th gold of the Olympics.
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Even more medals are expected for Team GB before the Olympics come to an end on Sunday.
Ethan Hayter is a strong favourite to medal in the men’s omnium while both Ellie Aldridge and Connor Bainbridge feature in the final stages of kiteboarding.
There will be more chances in athletics and cycling throughout the weekend with Katarina Johnson-Thompson in a great spot after the start of the heptathlon.
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