Matt Wells, a bronze medal-winner in men's double sculls at the Olympic Games in Beijing, will approve of the line-up of floats for the Heroes Parade. Cyclists will be at the front in the first float, with Wells and the rowers in the second, ahead of the track and field athletes.

According to Wells, the Great Britain athletics team deserve to bring up the rear. He lambasted their lack of team spirit and dedication, which he believes led to their disappointing tally of four medals in Beijing.

“Going home on the plane, you had all the rowers, cyclists and swimmers up front,” Wells said. “Athletics were mainly in economy at the back and I think it really hit home to them they hadn't done well.”

Wells claimed that the members of the Great Britain squad were ordered to wear team shirts in Beijing but many athletes refused. Some also refused to wear the adidas team shoes, preferring brands manufactured by their personal sponsors.

“The athletes just wouldn't follow this very simple thing,” Wells said. “They had massive sponsorship deals so they would insist on wearing their own stuff. It just didn't feel as much of a team.”