Team GB is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team.

Every two years the Team represents Great Britain in the summer or winter Olympic Games. The Team is selected by the British Olympic Association, in conjunction with the governing bodies, from the best sportsmen and women to compete in 28 summer and 7 winter Olympic sports at the greatest sporting event in the world.

The sportsmen and women who are selected to participate for GB at the Olympic Games become members of the Great Britain Olympic Team, Team GB.

There is only one Olympic team from Great Britain; Team GB. There is not an Olympic swimming team or Olympic rowing team. The individual sports join to become Team GB, the Great Britain Olympic Team.

Click here to find out information about buying a t-shirt to show your support for Team GB at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Team GB Beijing 2008 Stats

Total Team GB Delegation: 548

Team GB Athletes: 311

Team GB Officials: 236

Click here to view the full delegation split by sport and by sex.

• Youngest Team GB athlete: Tom Daley, Aquatics – Diving, 14 years 82 days*
• Oldest Team GB athlete: John Whitaker, Equestrian, 54 years 12 days*
• Tallest Team GB athlete: Josh West, Rowing, 2.07m
• Shortest Team GB athlete: Hannah Whelan, Gymnastics, 1.47m
• Heaviest Team GB athlete: David Price, Boxing, 110kg
• Lightest Team GB athlete: Hannah Whelan, Gymnastics, 37.5kg

*Age at first day on which they will compete in Beijing

Most decorated Team GB Athlete:

• Ben Ainslie (sailing): Gold, Athens 2004 / Gold, Sydney 2000 / Silver, Atlanta 1996

Athletes with the most Olympic Games experiences (Beijing will be their FIFTH):

• Mark Foster (swimming): Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008
• Mary King (equestrian): Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008
• John Whittaker (equestrian): Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008
• Michael Whittaker (equestrian): Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008**
• Alison Williamson (archery): Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008

**Also travelled to Seoul 1988 as a reserve

First Team GB medal opportunity: Judo, Craig Fallon, Day 1

Final Team GB medal opportunity: Boxing, David Price, Day 16

Team GB has four sets of siblings competing:

• Richard & Simon Mantell (hockey)
• Andy & Jamie Murray (tennis)
• Alex & Ashlee Nelson (athletics)
• John & Michael Whittaker (equestrian – show jumping)

Family affair record breakers:

John & Michael Whittaker are the only brothers to have competed for Team GB at FIVE Olympic Games together: Los Angeles 1984, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008)

Team GB Beijing 2008 birthday celebrations:

Team GB Beijing 2008 Handbook

To download the official Team GB Handbook for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games please click on the links below

• Part 1 - Beijing Background (980kb)
• Part 2 - Sport Information (Aquatics-Fencing)(4.5mb)
• Part 3 – Sport Information (Gymnastics-Weightlifting) (4.5mb)
• Part 4 - Team GB Biographies (1.6mb)
• Part 5 - Olympic Statistics (1.3mb)

Click here for contact numbers of Team GB media officers in Macau, Beijing and London. If you are UK based during the Olympic Games, your first point of enquiry should be the London office.