Paris 2024 Olympics – Daily Predictions (01/08/24): Biles goes for another gold with Team GB making rowing amends
Each day, TSZ picks out some key Gold Medal events at the Paris Olympic Games.
Olympic Basketball Predictions
GENERAL OVERVIEW
When is the Paris 2024 Olympics taking place? The Paris 2024 Olympics is taking take place between 26th July, 2024 and 11th August 2024, although some preliminary events began on 24th July, 2024.
Where is the Paris 2024 Olympics taking place? While the majority of Olympic action will take place in Paris, 16 other French cities, as well as Tahiti in French Polynesia, will host events.
How to get tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympics: Click here for the latest ticket information for the Paris Olympics
How to watch the Paris 2024 Olympics: In the UK, the BBC is the main broadcaster while some events will be televised on Eurosport. In USA, NBC is the main broadcaster while some events will be shown on NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and Telemundo.
GYMNASTICS: WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL ALL-ROUND
What time is the Gymnastics: women’s Individual All-Round taking place? UK – 5:15pm / France – 6:15pm / US ET – 12:15pm / US PT – 10:15pm
Where is the Gymnastics: women’s Individual All-Round taking place? Bercy Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the Gymnastics: women’s Individual All-Round? Sunisa Lee (USA)
PREDICTION
After her difficult campaign at Tokyo due to her mental health issues, Simone Biles is back at her absolute best and ready to conquer in Paris. She already helped Team USA pick up a gold medal in the women’s Team All-Round display on Tuesday and has qualified for all but one of the individual event finals as one of the absolute supreme athletes at these games.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist qualified for the individual All-Round event as the leader by almost two whole points ahead of Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade. Reigning champion Sunisa Lee is once again in contention and it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see an American clean sweep with Jordan Chiles in fourth but since there can only be two competitors from each country, they may well have to settle for two steps on the podium. It is not necessarily about whether if Biles will win but how good her win will be.
TIP: SIMONE BILES (USA) TO WIN
MEN’S 200M BACKSTROKE
What time is the men’s 200m backstroke taking place? UK – 7:38pm / France – 8:38pm / US ET – 2:38pm / US PT – 12:38pm
Where is the men’s 200m backstroke taking place? La Defense Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 200m backstroke? Evgeny Rylov (ROC)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 200m backstroke? Aaron Peirsol (USA) with 1:51.92 in Rome on the 31st July 2009
PREDICTION
The men’s 200m backstroke may actually appear to be an open field with Russian athletes banned so the reigning champion, Evgeny Rylov, is not involved. Ryan Murphy of the United States is in contention and probably the slim favourite for the race but there are several quality swimmers in the running such as Kos Hubert of Hungary, Spain’s Hugo Gonzalez, Murphy’s compatriot Keaton Jones and 100m backstroke winner Thomas Ceccon of Italy.
Ceccon hadn’t quite been at his best at this meet but the 23-year-old returned to form in time in the aforementioned 100m backstroke final. He will be a threat to first place, let alone a podium. With so many quality swimmers and such an open field, though, backing him to medal would be the safer and still good value bet.
TIP: THOMAS CECCON (ITA) TOP THREE FINISH
ROWING: MEN’S FOURS
What time is the Rowing: Men’s Fours taking place? UK – 11:10am / France – 12:10am / US ET – 6:10am / US PT – 4:10am
Where is the Rowing: Men’s Fours taking place? Stade nautique de Vaires-sur-Marne, National Olympic Nautical Stadium, Ile-de-France, Vaires-sur-Marne
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the Rowing: Men’s Fours? Australia
PREDICTION
Three years ago, Australia’s coxless four ended nine-time winners of the event, Great Britain’s, five-Olympic grip on the event as they set an Olympic Record time of 5:42.76 in Japan. Team GB actually missed out on the podium in fourth place with Romania and Italy taking silver and bronze.
However, that Australian team has endured a lot of change between Tokyo and Paris. Whilst they could still make the podium it does appear to be a three-way battle between Great Britain, the United States and New Zealand. Team GB are looking to make it a tenth win in the men’s four and return to the top of the podium and they are the favourites to do so with their team of Oliver Wilkes, David Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson – the same team that won the gold in both the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
TIP: GREAT BRITAIN TO WIN
