Poms under pressure

tHe Australians have taken the high ground from the british olympic Association in the mind games leading up to competition by starting their daily briefings in the main press centre almost two weeks in advance of team Gb.

the Aussies are only targeting a top-five finish in the medals table compared to Gb aiming at fourth position and 48-plus medals. but beating the brits is still the main goal, with defending olympic champion diver Matthew Mitcham saying: ‘We always want to stick it to the Poms.’

MINISTER

for Sport Hugh Robertson has been sent his Aussie hockey shirt, stick and ball in anticipation of him having to dribble it around Australia House dressed in green and gold if he loses his bet with Aussie counterpart Kate Lundy over which country will win more medals. But it’s more likely Lundy will have to row down the Eton Dorney course in GB colours. tHe olympics is sure to be a twitterfest from start to finish, although it has to be said the frequent postings of team Gb chef de mission Andy Hunt are not the most illuminating — one recent classic being: ‘the olympic Village is the ultimate who’s who of olympic sports.’

TEAM

GB’s super-heavyweight boxing medal hope Anthony Joshua has prepared for the rush over his pro signature if he wins gold by appointing an agency to represent him in the talks. He chose the Professional Sports Group whose Olympic clients include Tom Daley. oLYMPIC sponsors omega came up with a novel excuse for a blunder when IoC president Jacques Rogge visited their Westfield shop yesterday. With their Games countdown clock in trafalgar Square stopping on launch day, omega blamed it on interference from security signals.