Quarter of Brits think they could qualify for LA 2028 Olympics with huge 38 per cent of men confident they’d make it

A QUARTER of adults reckon they could qualify for the 2028 Olympics if they started training now. A poll of 2,000 adults found that, with professional coaching and a strict training regime, 38 per cent of men would fancy their chances of hitting the entry criteria for the Games in Los Angeles, California. Three-time Olympian Ed Clancy OBE takes on an amateur cyclist at Lee Valley VeloPark Credit: matt howell Seventeen of Brits back football as their best chance of competing at the Games… where they could take on Spain in the final Credit: Getty And just over a quarter of adults (26 per cent) reckon they could even beat a professional in their chosen sport if they were given the chance. Football came out on top, with 17 per cent feeling they would have the best chance of being competitive, while 11 per cent backed themselves in tennis. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Meanwhile, 13 per cent of men reckon they could blitz the 100metres in less than 15 seconds — despite one in five never actually attempting it. But when it comes to the sports Brits think would be hardest to master, gymnastics topped the list, with 45 per cent naming it as the toughest. Diving came next, with 33 per cent admitting they would struggle to get to grips with it. Yet the Olympics clearly provide plenty of inspiration, with nearly a quarter of those polled (24 per cent) saying they have been motivated to take up — or get back into — a sport after watching the Games. Eurig Druce, managing director at Vauxhall, which commissioned the research to mark its partnership with Team GB, said: “With more than a quarter of adults believing they could qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games given enough time, it’s clear we’re a nation with considerable sporting ambition. “Of course, confidence alone is not enough, as the level of dedication, training and talent showcased by Team GB’s athletes proves.” Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Ed Clancy OBE takes on an amateur cyclist at Lee Valley VeloPark as Brits reveal their sporting ambitions ahead of LA2028 Credit: matt howell The study also found Brits reckon they could cycle 200 metres in 24 seconds from a rolling start, with six per cent backing themselves to be competitive in cycling. That still leaves them some way off the Olympic record of a blistering 9.088 seconds. When it comes to general sporting ability, 38 per cent of men reckon they are better than the average person, while 49 per cent of women believe they are worse than average. And a third of adults (33 per cent) think confidence is more important than ability when it comes to sporting success. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) even described themselves as ‘quietly confident’ about their sporting skills. The OnePoll.com study found 67 per cent believe having a competitive nature makes them perform better. But despite all that swagger, Brits aren’t exactly shouting from the rooftops about their talents. Just 28 per cent would be likely to admit in public if they thought they were better than others at something. Three-time Olympian Ed Clancy OBE goes head-to-head with an amateur cyclist as six per cent of Brits believe they could be competitive in cycling Credit: matt howell And that confidence doesn’t stop at sport, either. Some 39 per cent reckon they are better than the average driver behind the wheel – rising to almost half (49 per cent) of men. Even more boldly, 23 per cent have faith in their ability to outdo a professional rally driver. Vauxhall returned to motorsport this year in the ADAC GSE Rally Cup, with young British driver Ioan Lloyd behind the wheel of the electric Mokka GSE Rally. Eurig Druce added: “It’s inspiring to see the confidence people have in their own potential – even if it may be blind faith – and the enthusiasm generated by one of the world’s greatest sporting events. “That same spirit is something we see in Team GB, and one Vauxhall is proud to support through our partnership.” Comment now