Team GB’s successes can give us insight into the country’s economy

There are lessons to be learned from how and why GB Olympians have gone from under-performer to globally competitive in 25 years

Forget the feelgood factor. The warm glow generated by Team GB winning gold for three-day eventing or the modern pentathlon will quickly fade. Anybody who thinks sporting success will prompt a mini-economic boom is deluded.

That, though, doesn't mean the Tokyo Olympics have no bearing on the economy and its performance. There are important lessons to be learned from how and why Great Britain's athletes have gone from serial under-performers to globally competitive in the past 25 years.