Paris 2024 Olympics – Daily Predictions (02/08/24): Leon Marchand goes for more gold
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 men’s 50m freestyle will be televised on Eurosport. In USA, NBC is the main broadcaster while some men’s 50m freestyles will be shown on NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and Telemundo.
MEN’S 50M FREESTYLE
What time is the men’s 50m freestyle taking place? UK – 7:30pm / France – 8:30pm / US ET – 2:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm
Where is the men’s 50m freestyle taking place? La Defense Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 50m freestyle? Caeleb Dressel (USA)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 50m freestyle? Cesar Cielo (BRA) with 20.91 seconds in Sao Paulo, Brazil on 18th December 2009
PREDICTION
The sprint fly in the swimming is always a highlight of any Olympics and we have an open field this time around, too. Defending champion and eight-time Olympic gold medallist Caeleb Dressel is back to defend his crown but he will be challenged by the likes of Jordan Crooks of the Cook Islands, Team GB’s Ben Proud and a couple of elite Australian swimmers in Ben Armbruster and Cameron McEvoy.
The aforementioned McEvoy is in like to take gold here and does come into the race as favourite after winning the event at the World Championships in Fukuoka last year. Dressel and Proud are expected to challenge for the podium, though, and it could well be a close contest. Backing Team GB’s 50m freestyle specialist to get into the top three looks a good value bet.
TIP: BEN PROUD (GBR) TO FINISH TOP THREE
MEN’S 200M INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
What time is the men’s 200m Individual Medley taking place? UK – 7:43pm / France – 8:43pm / US ET – 2:43pm / US PT – 12:43pm
Where is the men’s 200m Individual Medley taking place? La Defense Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 200m Individual Medley? Wang Shun (CHN)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 200m Individual Medley? Ryan Lochte (USA) with 1:54.00 in Shanghai, China on 28th July 2011
PREDICTION
We have a few big names competing in the men’s 200m Individual Medley. France’s swimming star, Leon Marchand, will take to the pool alongside Team GB’s Tom Dean and Duncan Scott. As well as those, though, Australia’s Thomas Neill, Hugo Gonzalez of Spain and American swimmer Carson Foster make up a stacked and star-studded field.
Defending champion Wang Shun is also expected to make the podium, whilst Dean and Scott will be confident after they helped Team GB claim gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Tuesday. The heavy favourite for the event, though, is the 400m Individual Medley and already a potential future legend of the sport, Leon Marchand.
TIP: LEON MARCHAND (FRA)
ROWING: MEN’S PAIR
What time is the Rowing: men’s Pair taking place? UK – 10:30am / France – 11:30am / US ET – 5:30am / US PT – 3:30am
Where is the Rowing: men’s Pair 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 Pair? Croatia
PREDICTION
Back in Tokyo, Croatia took the gold medal in the men’s coxless pair ahead of Romania and Denmark. The Croats have once again been racing well and come into the final as the second fastest crew behind an impressive Romanian side with the other members of the six-team final including Switzerland, Spain and Ireland.
At the World Championships in Belgrade last year, Great Britain took home the silver medal and the pair of Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Thomas George have enjoyed an impressive season. However, whilst expected to medal, Croatia look in good shape to defend their Olympic title at Stade Nautique in Paris.
TIP: CROATIA TO WIN
ROWING: WOMEN’S PAIR
What time is the Rowing: women’s Pair taking place? UK – 10:42am / France – 11:42am / US ET – 6:42am / US PT – 3:42am
Where is the Rowing: women’s Pair 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: women’s Pair? New Zealand
PREDICTION
Defending champions New Zealand will not be back to defend their Olympic gold I Paris after they lost out in a competitive set of heats. There is a crowded field between the times of 7:14 and 7:18 and the race for the podium may well be a competitive race.
However, with a semi-final qualifying time of 7:10.16, there is a dominant force in this event that should be extremely confident of taking home the gold and that is the 2023 World Championship gold medallists of the Netherlands, Ymkje Clevering and Veronique Meester.
TIP: NETHERLANDS TO WIN
MEN’S SYNCHRONISED 3M SPRINGBOARD
What time is the men’s Synchronised 3m Springboard taking place? UK – 10:00am / France – 11:00am / US ET – 6:00am / US PT – 3:00am
Where is the men’s Synchronised 3m Springboard taking place? La Defense Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s Synchronised 3m Springboard? China
PREDICTION
In the diving so far at this Olympics, China, annoyed by losing out on one of their gold medals to Great Britain back in Tokyo, have ruthlessly dominated the sport and they are expected to continue with that in this event as the heavy favourite.
A good value bet for this one, though, would be to back Team GB to get on the podium and even take the silver medal, like they did at the 2023 World Championships. Jack Laugher, who won individual bronze in the 3m Springboard back in Tokyo, partnered by Anthony Harding, should add to Great Britain’s medal tally here.
TIP: GREAT BRITAIN TO WIN SILVER MEDAL
MEN’S 10,000M
What time is the men’s 10,000M taking place? UK – 8:20pm / France – 9:20pm / US ET – 3:20pm / US PT – 12:20pm
Where is the men’s 10,000M taking place? Stade de France, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 10,000M? Selemon Barega (ETH)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 10,000M? Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) with 26:11.00 in Valencia, Spain on 7th October 2020
PREDICTION
We have quite an open field for this men’s 10,000m in Paris. Joshua Cheptegei, who set the world record time of 26:11.00 in Spain four years ago will be gunning for gold this time around but defending champion Selemon Barega is part of a stacked field alongside the likes of Yomif Kejelcha, Berihu Aregawi and Jacob Kiplimo.
The top of the betting market is dominated by Ugandan and Ethiopian athletes with a one-two-three from Ethiopia not out of the question. However, Cheptegei is the favourite and should be backed to top the podium.
TIP: JOSHUA CHEPTEGUI (UGA) TO WIN
