Unlike at the Eurovision Song Contest, Britain stands a chance of securing some sort of victory at the Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Games proved to one of our most awe-inspiring turn outs.

Product manager for Merlin Vol 1, who undertook the poll of 3,000 Brits, said: "Brits are certainly very proud of this year's sporting achievements, and this is probably because it has been one of the most defining sporting years in history.

"Our sportsmen and women have managed to walk away from the Olympic Games with 19 gold medals, 13 silver and 15 bronze – as well as making history in the velodrome and the Olympic pool."