Beijing heroes - where are they now? 5-10
6. CHRIS HOY - (Cycling - individual sprint and keirin)
GOLDEN HAT-TRICK: Chris Hoy has spent little time in the saddle since his exploits in Beijing
Arguably the star of the show at the Beijing Olympics, everytime Sir Chris Hoy took to the saddle in the Laoshan Velodrome, there was only going to be one outcome.
The Scot produced a genuinely flawless display of power and speed, and no-one could get near him. And the closest that did were British.
But 2009 has been a different story for Hoy. He took an intentional extended break for cycling as he became the hottest property in sports marketing.
But upon his return in March to competitive action in Copenhagen - an even longer absence from competition was forced upon him.
So Hoycules has not exactly had the best of years this year but he has certainly been enjoying himself away from the boards.
He's popped up at more sporting events this summer you could shake a stick at and has popped the question to fiancé Sarra Kemp.
7. SARAH AYTON, SARAB WEBB, PIPPA WILSON - (Sailing - Yngling)
THREE INTO TWO: Sarah Webb, Sarah Ayton and Pippa Wilson go their separate ways after Yngling is struck from Olympic schedule (Getty Images)
The three blondes on a boat mark two produced one of the more comprehensive performances of the Great Britain Olympic team in Beijing, but have found themselves in troubled water since then.
Webb and Ayton teamed up with Wilson, having taken gold in Athens with Shirley Robertson, and eased to Yngling class victory - only to see that discipline jettisoned from the Olympic schedule.
After much deliberating Ayton and Wilson have decided to team up in the 470 class, ensuring there will be two blondes on a boat in 2012.
It is still a partnership in its embryonic stages though. Ayton has taken time off to start a family GB windsurfer Nick Dempsey.
Webb on the other hand has pursued a future in non-Olympic classes.
8. ZAC PURCHASE AND MARK HUNTER - (Rowing - lightweight double scull)
PRIZE MONEY CAN'T BUY: Purchae and Hunter were dead certs for Olympic gold in Beijing - and they didn't disappoint (Getty Images)
In the months leading up to the Beijing Olympics, these two were bankers for gold in rowing circles and on the Shunyi rowing lake they didn't disappoint.
Purchase and Hunter romped to lightweight double sculls gold in Beijing, completing an unbeaten season in 2008.
But 2009 could not be different for the pairing. Hunter has opted to base himself in the USA, taking a break from the sport for a year.
While Purchase, keen to wait for Hunter's return, was all set to try his luck in the single lightweight scull until illness struck him down - prompting him to have the year off as well.
9. BEN AINSLIE - (Sailing - Finn class)
DENIED CHANCE: Ben Ainslie has dominated Olympic sailing but will not get the chance to compete in the 33rd America's Cup (Getty Images)
If Sir Chris is all-conquering in the velodrome, Ainslie is just as dominant on the water.
He picked up his third gold medal in Beijing, his second Finn class victory, and he will be bidding to make it a fourth in London.
But it has not been all sunshine and roses for Cornwall's finest. He is also skipper of Team Origin and has often spoken of his desire to compete at the America's Cup.
But an exhausting legal battle has ensured the 33rd America's Cup will be contested only between Alinghi and BMW Oracle meaning Ainslie will have to wait even longer.
10. REBECCA ROMERO - (Cycling - individual pursuit)
DOUBLING UP: Is a crack at a third different sport on the cards for Rebeca Romero? (Getty Images)
Rebecca Romero re-wrote history books left, right and centre in Beijing, become the first British woman to compete at two different Olympic sports and only the second ever to woman to win a medal in two.
Romero's story is made all the more compelling by her awe-inspiring determination and haunting self-doubt but there was little doubt she would not share in GB's cycling gold rush.
She too has joined the growing fad of taking a sabbatical year while she mulls over her future, but has teamed up with former rower James Cracknell to try and break the Land's End to John O'Groats tandem record.
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