British Olympic Heroes: The Best of British Gold Medallists

Great Britain is one of only a handful of countries to have participated in every Olympic Games - Winter and Summer alike. In all, more than 500 Britons have won a gold medal. Those whose stories are told here, if not always the most famous, are arguably the most interesting: athletes whose sporting and private lives have been inspiring, impressive or sometimes downright incredible. Interspersed between the biographies are short essays on the politics of the Olympics, the evolution of equipment, and drugs and professionalism. An Olympic 'timeline' provides a summary of the evolution of the Games, their heroes and villains, and curious statistics. And bucking the title, Britain's glorious failures and unlucky losers have a corner to themselves. The Olympics are the greatest sporting event in the world. Few will not be gripped by the London Olympics of 2012. British Olympic Heroes brings to the fore some of the finest athletes from more than a century of British athletic and sporting prowess. Meticulously researched, fully illustrated and eminently readable, this book will capture the heart of many a sporting patriot.