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Rio 2016 Athletics Gets Into Its Stride
The Rio 2016 athletics programme is warming up nicely, with golds to be won in the women’s 100m and heptathlon and men’s discus, 10,000m and long jump events. Look out for the UK’s reigning champions Jessica Ennis-Hill in heptathlon, Greg Rutherford in long jump and Mo Farah in the 10,000m, and Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce going for her third Olympic gold in the 100m. You might even catch a glimpse of her team-mate Usain Bolt in his first race of the Games, over the same distance.
Medley Relay Gives Phelps Chance For Golden Goodbye
The final day of the Rio 2016 swimming competition will feature four races – finals of the women’s 50m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay, and the men’s 1500m freestyle and 4x100m medley relay. The latter will be Michael Phelps’s final Olympic race and his chance to claim his 23rd career gold and bounce back form disappointment in Friday’s 100m butterfly.
Can Dong Dong Strike Gold A Second Time
Rosannagh MacLennan of Canada took the gold in the women’s competition, beating Great Britain’s Bryony Page and China’s Li Dan, but Li’s compatriot Dong Dong will be looking to make amends in the men’s event.
London 2012 champion Dong will be challenged by his countryman, Gao Lei, who won the 2015 world title, and Uladzislau Hancharou of Belarus, who won silver and bronze respectively at the last two world championships.
New Tennis Champion Could Be Puerto Rico’s First Gold
A new champion will be crowned in the women’s singles, following Serena William’s surprise early exit. Puerto Rican player Monica Puig will face Angelique Kerber of Germany and if victorious, she will be the first-ever Puerto Rican athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games (she’s already the island’s first female medalist).
Pedigree Meets Passion As Italy Face Brazil In Men’s Volleyball
The host nation’s match against Italy is expected to be a stern challenge for both teams, as though London 2012 silver medallists Brazil will have the crowd’s full support, Italy too have a strong tradition and recent success in their favour, having taken silver at the last World Cup.
Old Rivals Brazil And Argentina Battling For The Basket
Great rivals on the football pitch, the two giants of South American sport also enjoy a keenly competitive relationship in basketball. Having met in the quarter-finals at London 2012 and the 2014 World Cup, winning one game apiece, the teams now renew their rivalry in their Group B match at Carioca Arena 1.
No Quarter Expected In Pick Of The Football Matches
The last eight of the men’s football competition meet today, with two games in particular catching the eye: Germany against Portugal and Colombia versus Brazil. In the other matches, Nigeria will meet Denmark while Honduras face South Korea.
British Look To Extend Their Row Of Victories
Rowing comes to a close today with the finals of the men’s and women’s sculls and eights. The British, traditionally strong in the sport, currently sit at the top of the medal table with two golds and a silver so far at Rio 2016, and will be looking to maintain their dominance.
The Olympic Boulevard Becomes The World’s Biggest Art Gallery
Visitors to Rio’s Praça Mauá during the Olympic Games will be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities, with performances, shows, and of course live Rio 2016 action on the big screen to choose from. The Olympic Boulevard will also feature giant mural paintings by renowned artists, adding an extra measure of culture to proceedings.
