Key to Olympic success? Build a nation of Toms

Who is a doubting Thomas now? No British Olympic fans, that’s for sure, after an opening week in which Toms Dean, Daley, Pidcock and Barras powered their country up the medal table.

In fact, for a brief period on Wednesday, the British Toms could have been seventh in the table alone thanks to their haul of four golds. And even yesterday, the gold medal haul from our swimming, diving and rowing stars would have been enough to keep a “nation of Toms” in 10th place, above Italy, Holland and Canada.

In previous years, Olympic historians believe the combination of name and nation most likely to guarantee success was being an American called Michael, with messrs Phelps and Johnson collecting 28 and four medals in the pool and on the track, respectively.

Yet the British quartet are doing their best to claim that previously unheralded title. The run of success began with Daley’s gold alongside Matty Lee in the 10metre synchronised platform on Monday, which was swiftly followed by Pidcock’s victory in the cross-country mountain biking. Dean then took over, powering to victory in the 200m freestyle on Tuesday before being part of the relay team that took gold in the 4x200m the following day.

Then, after four golds for the Toms, came a silver, with Barras part of the quadruple sculls boat that claimed second place on Wednesday. And the chances of such a name doing so well is against the odds: Tom is now the joint-17th most popular baby name, but when the four were all born, it did not figure in the top 20. The name Tom comes from the Hebrew word ta’om, meaning twin. It came into English through the New Testament of the Bible, where St Thomas was one of the 12 Apostles.

Another quirk in this Team GB squad is the unprecedented number of medal contenders who also happen to be twins. There are three sets competing here, including Jennifer and Jessica Gadirova, 16, who won a surprise bronze in the team gymnastics. Boxer Pat Mccormack, 26, is predicted to take gold in the welterweight division tomorrow. His twin, Luke, is in the lightweight division. The third set, Simon and Adam Yates, missed out in the road race.

So if you want your child to be a successful Olympian, then being a set of twins may help – and calling them Tom definitely will.