Spot the difference;

1996 Altlanta Olympics

Final medal table;

36th GB

1 gold
8 Silver
6 Bronze

2008 Beijing Olympics

Medal table (so far with more to come!)

3rd GB

11 Gold
6 Silver
8 Bronze

Here is the reason why;

19 November 1994 - The UK National Lottery is launched. Sport is named as one of the 'good causes' receiving 16.67% of the money raised (around 4.6p per £1.00 ticket), total invested in sport so far is over £3 billion.

I raise a toast to The national Lottery!

Amazing what an injection of cash can do for sport. It enables the best coaches to be hired, competitors to train full time and top-notch facilities.

And watching success is an inspiration and bathes the country in a glow of good feelings. Money well spent in my opinion.

Did the UK have any intentions back in 1994 to place a bid for the 2012 Olympics? If they didn't then the National Lottery cash injection starting then was brilliant timing, as if this year's results are anything to go by, we'll be on top form by the 2012 Olympics in London.