Olympics: Brits braced for Aussie challenge

LONDON, July 13 (BSS/AFP) - British Olympic team chief Andy
Hunt believes Australia may well be planning to "rain on the Poms' parade" at next year's London Olympic Games.

Britain beat Australia to fourth place in the medal table at Beijing in 2008 and maintaining that position is a target for the British Olympic Association (BOA).

Hunt, the BOA chief executive, is expecting a lively challenge from old rivals Australia, saying: "We had some local intelligence from down Sydney way which said the Australian Olympic committee were planning this campaign called 'rain on the Poms' parade'.

"We don't know if it's true but it has provided some light entertainment and I think it's good.

"We have fantastic relationships with the Aussies and they are a national Olympic committee we are very close to.

"I think the competitive banter we have between us and the competitive is absolutely brilliant, it makes the Games."

He added: "We have to recognise that maintaining that fourth place in the medal table is going to be very, very tough.

"The difference between fourth, fifth and sixth place could be one or two medals, but I really do believe we will deliver more medals from more sports."

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