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Last week and has set a target of 41.

That is five more than the 30 won by Team GB last time out in Athens.

Nine golds (pictured above), with Dame Kelly Holmes contributing two and Sir Matthew Pinsent the final one of his four, nine silvers and 12 bronzes made up that collection.

Winning 35, or more, would represent Britain's best haul since the 37 won at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, which were heavily boycotted.

In fact, and they were in consecutive Games from 1908, when a record 146 were won on home soil, to the 34 picked up at the 1924 Amsterdam Olympics.

So, you could argue that history is against the team.

But UK Sport chief executive John Steele is buoyant and believes Britain can target medals in 17 sports in China.

The cyclists are expected to bring home six medals, while five from athletics and four apiece from rowing and sailing would make up almost half of the projected haul.

Is winning 35 medals a realistic expectation?