Rio 2016: Ten British bankers for gold at the Olympic Games

All being well, this group have a great chance of bringing home the biggest prize

Adam Peaty on his way to 100m breaststroke gold at the World Swimming Championships in Russia

Adam Peaty (100m breaststroke)

The biggest British banker of them all – and no, that’s not an insult – is Adam Peaty. Not just in the pool but across Team GB, the Scottish swimmer is lengths ahead of his rivals and barring an horrific day should claim 100m breaststroke gold, Britain’s first in the pool since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988. Sunday 7 August, 2.53am

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning (Rowing)

The journey to Rio has been plain sailing for Helen Glover, the world’s No 1 rower, and Heather Stanning and they almost match Peaty for already having that golden glow about them. The winners of GB’s first gold in London have taken titles at the Worlds in 2014 and 15 and are unbeaten since 2011. Lump on. Friday 12 August, 1.30pm

Jess Ennis-Hill (Heptathlon)

The golden girl of British athletics can become even more celebrated should she repeat her heroics of London 2012 and win the top gong in Rio. Having bounced back to form at last year’s Worlds in Beijing, she is favourite for glory in Brazil – but has Katarina Johnson-Thompson for company. Saturday 13 Aug, 2.53am

Max Whitlock (Gymnastics)

JEH and KJT are as nice as pie about each other but there’s spice in the pommel horse rivalry between Brits Max Whitlock and Louis Smith. Whitlock pipped Smith to gold at last year’s World Champs prompting Smith to lose it with the judges. Who will handle the pressure better this time? Sunday 14 Aug, 7.30pm

Max Whitlock in action

Jade Jones (Taekwondo)

Jade Jones goes into the Games “over the moon” and “on top of the world”. Not possible for most folk but Jones can pull off moves not many can and her European crown, won in Switzerland in May, has given her the confidence that she can retain her London gold. Thursday 18, Aug 12am

Jade Jones is targeting more gold at Rio (Getty Images)

Bianca Walkden (Taekwondo)

The Liverpudlian Bianca Walkden is sparring partner of Jones and is also in with a shot at gold in Rio after a brilliant run of victories over the last two years in the +67kg category. She won the World title in Russia last year and did that same at the last two Europeans. Saturday Aug, 20 12am

Chris Froome (Men’s road race)

It remains to be seen how saddle sore Chris Froome will be following his exertions in winning his third Tour de France title. But if all is well, the Brit is in with a shout of gold in the road race on the first Saturday in Rio as the hilly course suits him to a tee. Saturday 3 August, 1.30pm

Giles Scott (Finn Class)

The Finn class belongs to Britain and this is Giles Scott’s shot at glory with Sir Ben Ainslie, who is on America’s Cup duty, finally out of the way. Team GB have won gold at every Games this century and Scott, the outstanding competitor in his field, should continue the run. Tuesday, Aug 16, 5pm

Mo Farah (10,000m)

Barring a trip or a slip, there is little reason to think Fly Mo Farah will not retain his gold medal as Team GB try to recreate Super Saturday. The Brit is champion at Olympic and world level. You never know with distance running – except you do with Mo. Saturday Aug 13, 1.25am

Mo Farah is aiming for further golden happiness

James Guy (200m freestyle)

James Guy will be a busy boy in Rio – he is competing in five disciplines – but his best chance at glory in his first Games will be in the 200m freestyle in which he made history by winning gold in the World Championships last year. The 20-year-old set a national record and became the first British man to win a world freestyle title. Monday Aug 8, 2.21am