GENERAL OVERVIEW
When is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place? The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is taking take place between 23rd July, 2021 and 8th August 2021, although some preliminary events began on 21st July, 2021.
Where is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place? While the vast majority of Olympic action will naturally take place in Tokyo or the surrounding areas, the likes of Yokohama, Saitama, Sendai, Kashima and Sapporo are also hosting events.
Where can I get tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Many events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are be taking place without spectators, but not all. For full information, your best bet is to head here for the latest information.
What TV channel is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on in the UK? Televised Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for the full breakdown.
Where can I stream the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the UK? Unlike in previous Olympic Games, the Beeb can only show two live events at any one time, which are viewable on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. Eurosport subscribers can stream the action on Eurosport Player, while the biggest offering is available for subscribers of discovery+, the new player in town. For those not inclined, the BBC have a highlights programme at 19:30 every evening.
EVENT OVERVIEW
What time is the Rowing Women’s Pair taking place? Thursday 29th July, 2021 at roughly 01:30 (UK time)
Where is the Rowing Women’s Pair taking place? Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo Bay
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in Rowing Women’s Pair? Helen Glover and Heather Stanning of Great Britain
Who are the current world record holders? Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler of New Zealand with a time of 6 minutes and 47.41 seconds
WHO ARE THE LEADING MEDAL CONTENDERS?
Helen Glover is looking to once again defend her Olympic title for the Women’s Pair but, this time, she has a new partner. Polly Swann, who won silver in the women’s coxed eight in Rio in 2016, previously partnered Glover in 2013 and 2014. In 2012 and 2016, Glover was accompanied by Heather Stanning as the pair won the respective races, breaking the Olympic record in 2012.
This time around, the Team GB duo will be facing stiff opposition from the New Zealand pair of Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast. The Kiwis broke the world record (WR) in the Rowing World Cup in 2017 and have set their sights on Olympic gold. Since setting that WR, they have gone on to break it once again in the semi-final of this event, the day before the final. Remarkably, that new Olympic Record (OR) and WR was set just moments after the Greek pair of Maria Kyridou and Christina Ioanna Bourmpou had just broken it themselves.
TSZ’S PREDICTION
This race features the winning country from 2012 and 2016 (who continue to boast half of that successful duo), a pair that broke the world and Olympic record in the semi-final and a pair who eclipsed that by setting an even faster time in the following semi-final. There should be a clear distinction between the top three and bottom three in this event but the consistency of Gowler and Prendergast since 2017 as well as the form they showed in the semi-final in order to break the records does suggest that New Zealand should have the edge in what is expected to be a quick final.
TSZ TIP: New Zealand to win