• London Olympics 2012

Great British athletes set eight-medal Olympic target

Charles van Commenee claims athletes that suffer from nerves are merely unprofessional © Getty Images

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The pressure is on for Great Britain's track and field athletes ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, after head coach Charles van Commenee set them a target of eight medals.

Britain returned from Beijing marvelling at the likes of Rebecca Adlington for her exploits in the pool, and Sir Chris Hoy on his bike, but the team's athletes only amassed five medals between them. As a result Van Commenee was drafted in to produce better results on home turf.

Significantly, the Dutchman is demanding that one of those eight medals should be gold in a year's time, leaving his team in no doubt that they must aim for top prize.

Britain have one or two exceptional medal hopes, not least poster girl Jessica Ennis in the heptathlon. Phillips Idowu is also among the best two triple-jumpers in the world, while long distance runner Mo Farah recently ran the fastest time of the year in the men's 5000m.

Van Commenee has challenged at least one of them to ensure that the British national anthem is heard in the Olympic stadium, but he is not relying on just a handful of athletes, insisting they all must raise their game over the next 12 months.

"When I first said eight medals I was told I was digging my own grave. But we have consistently hit targets since I took over," Van Commenee told The Sun. "In Seoul in 1988 British athletes won eight medals but no gold and that was in the so-called golden era of the sport.

"Winning a gold medal is not easy. But you should never set your targets too low. That is never an incentive to do better.

"It's important not to depend on eight athletes. We need about 15 athletes who should be able to touch the podium. Then if we get injuries we should still be able to achieve."

Van Commenee also warned that he would not accept nerves as an excuse for poor performance on the big stage. In fact, he went as far as to say that athletes who choke are "unprofessional".

"Some are already suffering from the pressure and you have to start preparing them for the bigger event. I'm not worried that some will freeze because they have time to prepare. It's not as if we heard one week before the Games that it's taking place in their back garden. We know.

"I find athletes who are nervous are simply not focused enough. They have to up skill themselves, by focusing better. Obviously if you're not focused there is brain space to be nervous. You shouldn't have that. I find it quite unprofessional actually, athletes who are nervous. They are not prepared."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.