Whose time is it to shine at London 2012?

What a year 2012 promises to be in the world of sport.

The Olympics alone is enough to make the mouth water but there is also Euro 2012 and the Ryder Cup to look forward to.

So, with the Olympics visiting these shores for the first time since 1948, how will Welsh competitors fare?

In this blog I’m looking at how I think Wales could do when it comes to picking up a gold medal and predicting how some other events will pan out.

NOT since Colin Jackson has Wales had a genuine chance of an Olympic gold medal in track and field.

But after becoming world champion this year there is no reason why Llanelli 400m hurdler Dai Greene can’t complete his gold medal collection at major championships.

European and Commonwealth king in 2010, Greene powered to first place in South Korea this September. Expect him to be facing the same opponents in London with Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson likely to be Greene’s main threat.

It’s also about time Kris Akabusi’s British record went too and how perfect it would be if Greene were to add that to his CV too.

So, as Greene bids to become the first Welsh track and field athlete to win a gold medal at an Olympics since long jumper Lynn Davies in 1964, is there anyone else from the principality that could also be standing on the top of the podium?

Wales’ other big hope is cyclist Geraint Thomas, who is focussing solely on the Olympics and not doubling up with the Tour de France next year. Thomas was one of the UK’s form riders in 2011, helping Mark Cavendish to the world road race championships.

But Thomas is up there with the best in his own right and as part of the British team pursuit flyers that are looking to retain the gold they won in Beijing in 2008.

So that’s two golds I predict Wales will win, could there be anymore?

Rower Tom James is definitely in with a chance in the men’s coxless fours and if the team performs like it did in 2008 there won’t be any stopping them.

And what an opportunity too for triathlete Helen Jenkins, this year’s women’s world champion. There’s absolutely no doubt she can triumph in Hyde Park, just as she did during the ITU series earlier this summer.

But with so many world-class athletes fighting for gold, as we’ve seen in the past, it’s not always one of the pre-race favourites that comes out on top at the end. However, I’m going to be ultra-positive and say that Greene, James, Thomas and Jenkins are going to do it.

And that’s not forgetting the Paralympics where Wales has had no problems in finding any champion performers. Dave Roberts, Eleanor Simmonds and Liz Johnson are all capable of repeating their gold medal winning displays of Beijing and before.

Add to that the likes of javelin world record Nathan Stephens, cyclist Mark Colbourne and archery hope Pippa Britton and Wales could have a healthy medal count come the end of the games.

Other predictions;

Football

Premier League – Chelsea

Swansea City’s final league position – 14^th

FA Cup - Spurs

Champions League – Barcelona

Europa League – Schalke

EURO 2012 – Germany

Welsh Premier League – Llanelli

Rugby

Six Nations - Wales

RaboDirect Pro12 – Ospreys

Heineken Cup – Munster

Aviva Premiership – Saracens

Welsh Premiership – Pontypridd

Golf

Ryder Cup – USA 11 Europe 17

Formula One

F1 World Championship – Mark Webber

By David Williams