GB’S medal tally predicted to fall by a third in Tokyo

Great Britain could suffer the biggest drop in medals of any nation at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Forecasts suggest Team GB will have one third fewer than they claimed in Rio four years ago, when they won 67, including 27 gold, and finished second in the medal standings to the United States.

That figure could drop to just 42 medals, with 13 gold, and place them seventh in the medals table, according to forecasts released by sports data company Gracenote.

The biggest reduction is forecast to come across track cycling, gymnastics and rowing. The three sports accounted for 22 medals in Rio but are expected to produce just eight in Tokyo.

Dina Asher-smith is predicted to lead the way in athletics with a gold (200 metres) and bronze (100m), alongside a men’s 4x100m team also forecast to win gold. Adam Peaty (swimming), Jade Jones (taekwondo) and Max Whitlock (gymnastics) are all predicted to get golds, with equestrianism forecast to provide Britain with three more.

The US are anticipated to retain top spot in the medal table, with China second, although one major unknown is a Russian team forecast to come third. Banned from international competition, it is unclear how many of their athletes will be allowed to compete in Tokyo under a neutral flag.

Britain have a history of exceeding expectations at recent Olympics and at this stage four years ago, Gracenote was predicting a total haul of 49 medals for Rio, which it increased to 56 on the eve of the Games. Both of those fell well short of the 67 eventually achieved.