OVER A QUARTER OF BRITS THINK THEY COULD QUALIFY FOR THE LA2028 OLYMPIC GAMES, VAUXHALL RESEARCH REVEALS

• 26% of Brits say they could qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games in a sport of their choice if they started training full-time today
• 24% describe themselves as ‘quietly confident’ when it comes to their sporting abilities
• Confidence is highest among men, as 38% would feel confident trying out for the next Olympics
• When it comes to achieving sporting success, a third of Brits (33%) believe that confidence is more important than natural talent
• Brits’ self-confidence extends to driving too, with 39% rating their driving skills as ‘better than average’
• Vauxhall is the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB, supporting British athletes as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games

Research by Vauxhall* has found that 26% of Brits believe they could qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games if they started training now, with the same percentage thinking they could beat a professional athlete in their chosen sport.

The sports that Brits feel most confident taking part in competitively are football (17%), tennis (11%), and swimming (11%). On the other hand, gymnastics (45%), diving (33%), and judo (23%) are the Olympic sports that people think would be toughest to master.

12% of men claimed they could run 100 metres in less than 15 seconds, despite 20% never actually attempting it. Eight-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt has held the world record for the men’s 100 metres since 2009 with a time of 9.58 seconds. The study also found Brits think they could cycle 200 metres in 24 seconds from a rolling start, as 6% would back themselves to be competitive in cycling – although this still falls considerably short of the Olympic record of 9.088 seconds.

24% of Brits are quietly confident when it comes to their own sporting ability, and a third (33%) of respondents agreed that confidence is more important than natural talent to achieve sporting success. Confidence is highest among men, with 38% describing themselves as better than average at sports, compared to only 18% of women. 38% of men would also feel confident trying out for LA2028 if they had professional coaching and followed a strict training regime, despite many of the world’s best athletes spending a decade or more preparing before ever qualifying for an Olympic Games.

However, Brits don’t like to shout about their talents; just 28% would be likely to admit it in public if they thought they were better than others at something. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, two-thirds (67%) said that when taking part in sports, they performed better with some friendly competition, rising to three-quarters (74%) among men.

The research also shows that the achievements of Team GB’s athletes have a considerable impact on sports participation; nearly a quarter (24%) of those surveyed have been motivated to take up or resume doing a sport after watching the Olympics.

Vauxhall is proud to be the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB. The partnership sees Britain's most loved sports team and one of Britain’s most recognisable automotive brands joining forces, with Vauxhall supporting Britain’s Olympic heroes as they prepare for LA2028.

It emerged that Brits’ confidence in their own ability doesn’t just stop at sports, as 39% think they are better than the average driver behind the wheel, rising to almost half (49%) of men. 23% of all respondents would even be confident driving against a professional rally driver.

Vauxhall returned to motorsport this year in the ADAC GSE Rally Cup with the all-electric Vauxhall Mokka GSE Rally, driven by young British rallying talent, Ioan Lloyd. In the opening stages of the season, Ioan has secured three consecutive podiums. Notably, he won the Rally Vosges Grand-Est by just 8.5 seconds, resulting in Vauxhall being back on the top step of the podium for the first time since its return to motorsport.   

The rally car is closely related to the roadgoing Vauxhall Mokka GSE, sharing key components such as the 281PS motor. The Mokka GSE is the second-fastest electric vehicle in the Vauxhall range behind the Corsa GSE, achieving 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, and is available to order now for £35,495 On-The-Road (after the Electric Car Grant).

Eurig Druce, Vauxhall Managing Director & Stellantis UK Group Managing Director, said: “With more than a quarter of Brits believing they could qualify for the LA2028 Olympic Games given enough time, it's clear that we’re a nation with considerable sporting ambition. Of course, confidence alone is not enough, as the level of dedication, training, and talent showcased by Team GB’s athletes proves.

“It's inspiring to see the confidence people have in their own potential - even if it may be blind faith - and the enthusiasm generated by one of the world's greatest sporting events. That same spirit is something we see in Team GB, and one Vauxhall is proud to support through our partnership.”

ENDS

*Nationally representative survey conducted by OnePoll of 2,000 UK adults, June 2026

ABOUT VAUXHALL MOTORS

Vauxhall Motors started making cars in the UK in 1903. Today, as the oldest and most familiar of Britain’s automotive manufacturers, its philosophy is to build vehicles that are relevant to all and offer design, high levels of equipment and technology, and electrification at an attainable level. Vauxhall is one of few automotive brands to produce electric vehicles in Britain at its manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port – the UK’s first electric-only manufacturing plant where the Combo Electric van is made.  Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign raises the profile of the need for more on-street electric vehicle charging so that everyone can benefit from the switch to electric.  Find out more at www.electricstreets.co.uk