Olympics Rio 2016: Does Team GB’s Wonderful Wednesday eclipse London 2012’s Super Saturday?

Updated 11/08/2016 at 07:48 GMT

Mike Hincks looks back on Wedneday's extraordinary day of success for Team GB, and asks a question that might have seemed unthinkable before the event began: was this a better day of sport that London 2012's Super Saturday?

Jack Laugher (GBR) and Chris Mears (GBR) pose for pictures with their gold medals

Image credit: Reuters

As Chris Froome took bronze in the individual time trial on Wednesday, the nation let out a gentle sigh as another gold-medal hope fell short of expectations.

And while the three-time Tour de France champion battled brilliantly in horrendous conditions, it was looking like another one of those days.

Froome (R) collects his bronze for GB

Image credit: Reuters

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Bronze too for Steven Scott in the shooting turned it into respectable showing for Team GB, who were set a target of at least 48 medals before the Games.

2016 Rio Olympics - Shooting - Final - Men's Double Trap Finals - Olympic Shooting Centre - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 10/08/2016. Steven Scott (GBR) of United Kingdom reacts.

Image credit: Reuters

Though our medal count was increasing, a fear crept in that told us gold was becoming unobtainable.

But then a 23-year-old kayaker reignited our belief.

Kayak K1 victory for Great Britain’s Joe Clarke was certainly unanticipated. Sir Matthew Pinsent predicted the Briton would reach the final, but admitted hopes of any medal was slightly wishful thinking.

Pinsent will be over the moon at how wrong he was, as Clarke, whose hero is rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave, shocked the field to claim gold.

The Staffordshire-born paddler leaped onto the podium to collect his medal, and with it, confidence in our competitors sky-rocketed.

GB's Joe Clarke

Image credit: Reuters

No diving gold in GB’s history? No problem for Jack Laugher and Chris Mears.

Jack Laugher of Great Britain diving

Image credit: Reuters

The Leeds-based duo reigned supreme as the usually-flawless Chinese duo of Cao Yuan and Qin Kai could only finish bronze.

The medal rush was complemented by Sally Conway, who fought immensely in the judo to claim bronze, while anyone who witnessed her semi-final will know how agonisingly close she was to making the final.

Sally Conway of Britain with her bronze medal for judo

Image credit: Reuters

And to top it off, Max Whitlock secured bronze in the men's all-around gymnastics, the first time GB have won a medal in that event since the London Games of 1908.

Laugher and Mears celebrate

Image credit: Reuters

Nothing quite beats cheering on the unexpected. GB fans went from willing on an unfancied kayaker to witnessing diving history in a matter of hours.

This unforeseen element makes it a day to rival Super Saturday at London 2012, if not topple it.

From L to R, Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis, Dani King, Jo Rowsell, Laura Trott

Image credit: Reuters

That night in London’s Olympic Stadium on August 4th 2012 was electric, but we knew the names of the athletes we were cheering on, we had followed their story ahead of the Games, and we expected them to win.

The rowing and cycling golds which preceded the track and field glory were also predicted, but nonetheless commendable.

On this Wonderful Wednesday however, we were cheering on the underdogs, so often highlighted as a past-time for British fans. And this time they delivered.

GB’s medal haul may well rise at a steadier rate going forward, and we’ll look back on this Wednesday as the day which kick-started it all.

Mike Hincks

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