Olympic Countdown: Kim in the mood

THE competition in Seoul four years ago was dominated by the hosts, who won gold in both the men's and women's team events. Kim Soo-nyung also won the women's individual gold and the Korean student will be favourite to retain her title, having won the world championship for the second time last year.

The United States, France and Belgium are traditionally the strongest nations, and the men's individual gold has been won by an American on four out of five occasions since the sport was reintroduced to the Olympics in 1972 after a 52-year absence. The world champion is Simon Fairweather of Australia.