Campbell selected for 200m Full GB athletics squad

Backley's javelin silver was one of six track and field medals in Sydney four years ago, but the team has been widely tipped to struggle next month.

"The team is not as strong as before, but there are some quality athletes on the list, and we have got some very good medal chances," said Backley.

"It is a very fine line between winning and losing.

"In too many sports we have the wrong attitude. It seems we either win or we must be rubbish - that's not what it's all about.

"The world of athletics is getting harder and harder, and the expectations are getting higher.

"We've seen five world records this year already, and standards are high so it's hard to qualify for the big championships.

If we can have one or two good results where people who have a medal chance actually win, that would be fantastic Steve Backley

"It doesn't mean that we don't have chances this time.

"Yes, in the past we had the six medals in Sydney, and maybe we won't live up to that now.

"But we have to say, right - these are our chances, and let's be happy with that.

"If we can have one or two good results, where people who have a medal chance actually win, that would be fantastic."

"In Sydney, there was a real buzz around the team, and I hope it will be the same in Athens."

The 47-strong athletics team will be the smallest Britain has taken to a Games since Montreal in 1976.

And Team GB will travel to Athens without at least two of their medal winners from Sydney.

Jonathan Edwards, who won triple jump gold, has retired and 400m bronze medallist Katherine Merry is injured.

Lewis fear for Athens

There is also a doubt over heptathlon champion Denise Lewis, who has aggravated a foot injury.

But Kelly Holmes, who won 800m bronze, has the option of running in the 800m or 1500m this time.

And Sydney 200m silver medallist Darren Campbell has been selected for both the 100m and 200m.

Backley is not enjoying the form of four years ago, when he claimed silver, but remains confident.

"I love the Olympic stage," he said.

I actually think we will perform very well Kelly Holmes

"The first time I stepped out on it, I was scared senseless, and the second time, and the third time, but it's all about controlling nerves."

Several former Olympians - including Colin Jackson - have played down Britain's chances, particularly in the sprinting department.

Even team leader Max Jones admits it will be difficult to match the achievements of four years ago.

"I looked at the possible/probable medal contenders in the squad and I counted 12. That number was 16 in Sydney," he said.

But Holmes hopes some of her team-mates can produce a surprise, similar to her 800m bronze in Sydney when she put injury problems behind her to claim a medal.

"When I went into the championship, no-one thought I had a hope of getting a medal, and I came back and surprised quite a lot of people," she said.

"At any championships there's surprises and disappointments, but I actually think we will perform very well.

"If you look at Sydney, although we got six medals - two of them gold - we had a lot of finalists and a lot of people who came fourth.

"There is such a fine line between coming fourth and getting a medal."