Paris Olympics: Aussies in action on Day 3 and Day 2 results
What’s on tonight?
MAJOR AUSTRALIAN MEDAL HOPES
The women’s 200m freestyle final shapes as the mother of all club meets between training partners Ariarne Titmus and Molly O’Callaghan. Titmus broke O’Callaghan’s world record six weeks ago.
After riding Shadow Man for the first time only earlier this year, Chris Burton is outright third in the individual eventing standings ahead of his strongest phase, the showjumping.
World individual champion Cassiel Rousseau will combine with Domonic Bedggood in the 10m synchronised platform, with British flag bearer Tom Daley and Noah Williams also competing.
OTHER AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION
Olympic debutant Max Giuliani was fifth-fastest in the semis to reach the final of the men’s 200m freestyle.
After dominating her single sculls heat, Tara Rigney rows again in the semi-finals.
The Opals open their Paris campaign with a women’s basketball pool game against Nigeria. The powerful American women’s team, aiming for their 10th gold medal, plays Japan.
Tokyo bronze medallist Harry Garside (63.5kg) leads the Australian hopes in boxing and starts his competition, with Teremoana Teremoana (92kg) and Tyla McDonald (60kg) also having bouts.
The Kookaburras continue their men’s hockey Paris campaign against Ireland.
After the men’s street skateboarding was postponed for two days because of rain, Shane O’Neill leads the Australian hopes.
Australia are expected to progress in the women’s rugby sevens, which reach the quarter-finals.
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING
The first gymnastics medals will be decided in the men’s teams, with China and Japan the key favourites.
Multi-talented British cyclist Tom Pidcock will aim to repeat his Tokyo gold medal in mountain biking, although Swiss legend Nino Schurter is certain to challenge him.
How the Aussies fared on Day 2
GOLD
Jessica Fox (canoe slalom – women’s K1) – After a hiccup in the semi-final, Fox blew the final wide open with a stunning run of 96.08 seconds. There were seven paddlers still to go down the course at that point, but none of them got close to the Aussie superstar.
OTHER HEADLINE GOLD MEDALLISTS
French king of the pool Leon Marchand destroyed his opponents to win gold in the men’s 400m individual medley.
There was another hugely-popular host nation victory in the women’s mountain biking, where Pauline Ferrand-Prevot grabbed a maiden Olympic gold to go with her five world titles.
Skateboarders Coco Yoshizawa and Liz Akama filled the top two spots on the podium in the women’s street event, helping Japan to top spot on the medals table, above Australia.
OTHER RESULTS
Precocious Australian teen skateboarder Chloe Covell’s Olympic day in the sun will come. But it wasn’t on Sunday as she finished last in the women’s street final, unable to land any of her five tricks.
The Matildas were pushed to the brink by Zambia, only for Michelle Heyman to spare their blues with a late winner in a bonkers 6-5 goalfest in Nice.
Australian Chris Burton, on board Shadow Man, remains in the bronze medal position after the cross country section of the individual eventing competition.
Australia’s hopes of securing yet another medal in team eventing ended in unfortunate fashion when Kevin NcNab was forced to retire his injured mount Don Quidam.
– WITH AAP