Eight highlights not to miss at Rio 2016 on Sunday 7 August
Many of world sport's biggest names will be in action today, and records are there for the taking
Many of world sport's biggest names will be in action today, and records are there for the taking
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic begins his Rio 2016 campaign today (Getty Images/Clive Brunskill)
Great Britain’s Elizabeth Armitstead will be looking to become the second woman to win the women's Olympic road race gold as reigning world champion, while her Dutch rival Marianne Vos can become the first cyclist to win the Olympic road race twice. American duo Evelyn Stevens and Megan Guarnier will also be in the hunt.
Marianne Vos (l) and Elizabeth Armitstead are in action (Photo: Getty Images/Bryn Lennon)
Spain’s Pau Gasol is looking to overcome the US, having lost out to the Americans in the gold medal match at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012. First up on the road to the final is Croatia. Argentina, also medal hopefuls, face Nigeria. Both matches will take place at Carioca Arena 1, at 19:00 and 22:30, respectively.
Spain captain Pau Gasol scores at London 2012 (Foto: Getty Images/Rob Carr)
The American artistic gymnast is tipped by many to be one of the stars of the Rio 2016 Games, and could be in contention for a world record-equalling haul of five gold medals. At the age of 19, she is already the sport’s most successful world champion, with 10 titles accumulated over the past three years. Her campaign will kick off at 17:30 at the Rio Olympic Arena.
Simone Biles is poised to enter the record books (Photo: Getty Images/Laurence Griffiths)
Michael Phelps, widely considered to be the greatest swimmer of all time, could begin his Rio 2016 campaign today as part of the 4x100 freestyle race. His teenage compatriot Katie Ledecky, considered to have the potential to match Phelps’ achievements, begins her solo competition, having already taken part in a heat for the women's 4 x 100m freestyle relay yesterday. Four-time London 2012 gold medallist Missy Franklin also makes her Rio 2016 bow at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
Phelps and Ledecky will both grace the Olympic Aquatics Stadium today (Photo: Getty Images/Tom Pennington)
The first day of the competition gets underway with some tantalising match-ups – Brazil take on Mexico, France faces Italy, and Russia play Cuba.
The men’s preliminary round starts at 9:30 in the Maracanãzinho (Photo: Getty Images/Patrick Smith)
Many of the biggest names in tennis will be in action today – none other than world No. 1 and 2 respectively Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will feature at the Olympic Tennis Centre, while crowd favourite Rafael Nadal will take on Juan Martin del Potro. The women’s competition will also see some choice matches today, including the Williams sisters in the doubles tournament. Matches will take place at the Olympic Tennis Centre, from 10:45.
The Williams sisters on their way to winning London 2012 (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The Sambódromo is no stranger to hosting virtuoso displays, but winning streaks as long as that of South Korea’s archery team are unknown amongst even the most venerable of samba schools. The Korean women could take their eighth Olympic gold in a row today. Competitions begin at 9:00.
Ki Bo-Bae (R) was part of the gold-winning team at London 2012 (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
A diving medal could go to Wu Minxia in the women's synchronised 3m springboard this afternoon at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. If so, she would set a new record as the woman to have won the most podium finishes of all time. She will compete from 16:00.
Wu will be looking to medal in her fourth straight Games (Photo: Getty Images/Feng Li)