GB Olympics - how did they do it?

BBC:Rio Olympics 2016: How did Team GB make history?

While there is the inevitable innuendo of performing enhancing drugs, the lack of Russians or some other black art, the UK's success in these Olympics has come from focused investment. It seems like a great example that could be applied to many other areas of government, and plenty of businesses could copy it too. "A culture where winning is expected, not just hoped for."

Rio Olympics 2016: How did Team GB make history? - BBC Sport:

"Team GB's 67 medals won here in Brazil cost an average of £4,096,500 each in lottery and exchequer funding over the past four years….At a time of austerity, that is profligate to some. To others, the average cost of this Olympic programme to each Briton - a reported £1.09 per year - represents extraordinary financial and emotional value…..

"We have got the talent in this country and we know that we can recruit and keep the very best coaches, sports scientists and sports medics," says Nicholl. "It is now a system that provides the very best support for that talent."

France agonises over Team GB glory - BBC News: "The headline perfectly encapsulates a perennial French beef against the Brits: that their world is built around commercialism and a deeper understanding (certainly than the French have got) about the power of cash….
"One problem is that the French could never do what the UK has done - and ruthlessly focus funding only where there is a chance of medals….It means the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) will continue to fund some 90 separate federations - as opposed to the 20 selected by Sports UK."