"Do you really think anyone from the tiny elitist group would have what it took to be a champion swimmer or athlete.
Give over!"

But you're argument is based on the idea that every one of the equestrian medalists is from the landed gentry or super rich. They aren't. As I understand it the woman who won the dressage gold medal today was a stable girl who was given the chance to ride in competition because of her talent. Likewise another gold medalist, Scott Brash from Peebles, is just an ordinary local Borders lad who went to the comprehensive in Peebles and not some private school. I don't know him but I heard him being interviewed and he's not posh at all. So yes many of the competitors may be from the privilaged few - but not all of them are. If you are saying that Scott couldn't have won a swimming gold then yes, you are probably right, but how many of the swimming medalists could do what he does to that level?