Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics April, with open water event swimmers selected after performance in the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships, in Seville, Spain. In winning six medals (two gold, two silver and two bronze) the team bettered the target of three medals set by UK Sport. The most successful swimmer was Rebecca Adlington who won two gold medals. Her 400 m freestyle success was Britain's first Olympic swimming title since 1988, and the first swimming gold by a British woman since 1960. Her second gold, in the 800 m freestyle, meant she also equalled the best performance by a British woman, from any
South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics South Africa competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The team included 136 athletes, as of 10 July 2008. South Africa had its worst medals performance at an Olympics since 1994 (winter games), and tied its performance in the 1936 Games. South Africa sent archers to the Olympics for the fifth time, seeking the nation's first Olympic medal in the sport. Calvin Hartley earned the country its only qualifying spot, in the men's competition, by placing first in the 2008 African championship. South Africa qualified one boxer for