Winter Olympics 2022 - Don’t panic! Team GB could still achieve record medal haul, despite disappointment for Bankes

At every Olympics, summer or winter, there is nervousness about where the first British medal is coming from. When two of the favourites miss out on the podium — that’s when the panic really sets in. That might be where we are at on day five, after world champion Charlotte Bankes was unable to progress past the quarter-finals of snowboard cross, 24 hours after Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds missed out on mixed doubles curling bronze.

Ad/> But we’re here to advise calming down — there’s plenty of time to have an impact on the medal table, and to possibly beat the previous best of five in total. /> Beijing 2022'It's an emerging issue' — IOC says legal issue delaying team figure skating Olympic medals3 HOURS AGO Skeleton It will be fascinating to see what Great Britain have up their sleeve when the first two runs of the men’s competition begin on Thursday. Since the sport returned to the full programme at Salt Lake City 2002, there has been a British medallist at every Games.

That started with bronze for Alex Coomber — and culminated at PyeongChang 2018 with Lizzy Yarnold becoming the first British athlete to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title. The key is innovation. Just like in track cycling, GB save their scientific ‘marginal gains’ for the Olympics and it has paid off.

The World Cup circuit is important, but it is all about the Games. Advances in skin suits and equipment — all within the rules — have caused controversy among rivals in the past, particularly from traditionally strong countries. Results this season can only offer a tiny guide at where British contenders are at — with no home track, the World Cup is competition preparation, training ground and laboratory all in one.