British winners turn thoughts of glory to 2012

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The British team produced their best Olympic performance in a century by taking 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze medals - a total of 47 that placed them fourth in the final table.

"It gives us a level of confidence," Clegg told Reuters. "We love the underdog, the Brits, but when you drill down deep into the psyche of the individual - we want to be winners."

Clegg said the team were very moved by their reception from well-wishers at Heathrow airport and added: "I don't think we could have contributed in any other way to exciting the nation about us becoming the next hosts of the Olympic Games in 2012.

"The whole country has woken up to the fact it's us next and it is going to be a hell of a show in London in 2012."

British medal winners, who gathered at the news conference at a Heathrow hotel, clearly felt the success in Beijing would inspire athletes for the home Games in four years' time.

Tim Brabants, who won gold in the 1,000 meter kayak single, told Reuters: "All of us will be back in training in a month's time, back to the real world and the hard graft.

"But it is only going to help to spur the rest of the team on to keep training through the next four years up until the London Olympics."

Ben Ainslie, who won a third yachting gold in as many Games with victory in the Finn class, said the wave of public enthusiasm generated by Britain's success was "perfect timing".

NATION MOTIVATED

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