From the Sidelines (From Your Local Guardian)

From the Sidelines

9:23am Friday 18th July 2008

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If Beijing 2008 is anything to go by, London 2012 should see the best British medals haul in the history of the Games.

Olympic fever hit the Borough of Richmond this week, when Twickenham-based Mo Farah and Kate Reed were confirmed as part of Team GB bound for China, alongside Teddington's Jo Pavey.

Teddington's Royal Canoe Club 18-year-old Jess Walker was also unveiled in the canoe squad for K2 500m kayak event along with six-time world champion Anna Hemmings, while 18-year-old St Mary's University student and world junior 1,500m champion Steph Twell is hoping a fast time in Paris tonight can put her on the plane to the Far East.

And, if on-pitch brawling was an Olympic sport, we'd probably have four more, following the shenanigans of Harlequins RL in France last weekend.

Daley Thompson, launching a scheme promoting free sports activities for kids in Chiswick and across the country last week, reckons August's event is the launchpad for success in 2012, while the rest of the British sporting landscape is playing down our chances of hitting the 35-medal target.

Which begs the question: how long can you expect to wait for sporting success?

Sir Clive Woodward famously watched his England rugby side lose three Grand Slams on final day - plus a crushing World Cup quarter-final defeat in 1999 - before landing the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2003.

Quins RL's Brian McDermott would rather prepare his young side for long-term success than enjoy a flash-in-the-pan triumph now.

So many of Britain's sports stars have promised much, if given time, but at what point should something tangible be demanded?

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards insists his side are progressing and results over the past three seasons have backed that claim.

For all the talk of developing young England stars of the future, this season probably should be the one they break into the top four and mount a serious title challenge.

Hampton boss Alan Devonshire has taken a similar approach in the past five years at the Beveree and it has brought the club its highest league placing history.

Beijing may prove four years too early for some and I personally can't wait for when London hosts the world's biggest sporting spectacle.

It seems four years is the cycle for sporting success, so Team GB should stand every chance of performing well in 2012.

In the meantime, lets hope the Richmond borough four - or maybe five - can bring us some cheer come August.