Seven highlights not to miss at Rio 2016 on Sunday 21 August
The final day of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games begins with the men's marathon and ends with the closing ceremony, with volleyball, boxing and basketball inbetween
Keeping the dream alive: Team USA are planning to continue their gold medal-winning ways against Serbia (Getty Images)
Volleyball showdown will grip a nation
At 13:15 Brazilians everywhere will be tuning in as the men’s volleyball gold medal match gets underway. Having experienced final heartbreak in the last two Olympic Games to the USA (3-2) and Russia (3-1) respectively, Brazil’s men will be desperate to win gold in front of their own supporters against Italy at the Maracanãzinho. Italy are no strangers to pain in this event either, however. They have lost two finals and three semi-finals from the last five Olympic Games.
Schedule and results: Rio 2016
Brazil will go looking for a change of fortunes in the men's volleyball final, having lost in 2008 and 2012 (Photo: Getty Images/Patrick Smith)
Marathon not a sprint
The final event of the Rio 2016 athletics program and the first medal event today is the men’s marathon which starts at 9.30am from Sambódromo. London 2012 gold medal winner and 2013 World Champion Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda will be running again, but he will be challenged this time around by 2016 London Marathon winner Eliud Kipchoge and his Kenyan compatriot Stanley Biwott. The marathon has a fascinating history with its origins dating back to 490 BC. Back then, Pheidippides ran for two days from the town of Marathon to Athens to deliver word of victory over the invading Persians, before collapsing and dying. Over 2500 years later, tune in to watch the most gruelling event of the Olympics as they battle it out for over two hours non-stop in search of gold.
Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich won gold in 2012 but will face tougher opposition this time around (Photo: Getty Images/Ian Walton)
All hands on deck
At 14:00 it’s the final of the men’s handball and if you’re looking for excitement on the final day of Rio 2016 then be sure to tune into this match. The gold medal matchup is an all European affair between 2008 and 2012 champions France and maiden finalists Denmark. With both semi-finals of the men’s competition finishing 29-28, and one in over-time after a Polish equaliser against Denmark with just two seconds remaining, the final is set to be an incredible contest. Don't miss it!
Denmark are through to their first ever final and will play double-defending champions France (Photo: Getty Images/Lars Baron)
Can Team USA be beaten?
USA men have won 14 of the 18 basketball finals to have occurred in Olympic history, and at 15:45 they will go for Olympic gold number 15 when they face Serbia in the final. This is Serbia’s first Olympic final as an independent nation, having been apart of the 1980 Yugoslavia gold medal winning team. USA are aiming to pick up a third Olympic gold in a row but can Serbia, who lost to Australia, France and the USA already in the group stage, cause the ultimate upset?
The United States are hot favourites going into the men's Basketball final against Serbia (Photo: Getty Images/Ezra Shaw)
No love lost in final bout of the Games
The final of the men’s super heavyweight boxing competition (91kg+) between Great Britain’s Joe Joyce and Tony Yoka of France goes at 15:15. Joyce has the opportunity emulate current IBF world champion Anthony Joshua, who won gold in the event at London 2012. Tony Yoka will be trying to win France’s only boxing gold of the male division and try and equal compatriot and women’s lightweight champion Estelle Mossely. The French super-heavyweight told the press he thinks Joyce is “a robot” who is scared of him. Joyce replied: “Scared? Ha! Well, now I’ve got even more reason to beat him.” Joyce stands at a freakishly imposing 6’6” while Yoka is an equally daunting prospect at 6’5".
Joe Joyce (right) will look to emulate British compatriot Nicola Adams in the men's super heavyweight final against Tony Yoka (Photo: Getty Images/Sean M. Haffey)
King of the mountain decided
Today sees the final cycling medals of the games from the mountain bike racing discipline, and the men’s cross-country final. Olympic champion from 2004 and 2008 Julien Absalon of France is in the mix again, as is London 2012 gold medal winner Jaroslav Kulhavý of Switzerland. Absalon, 36, is widely regarded as the greatest cross-country rider of all time and will be looking to make up for 2012, when a puncture cost him a medal. In what is likely to be his last Olympic Games appearance, tune in to see mountain biking at its supreme best!
Julien Absalon (FRA) won gold in 2004 and 2008 but suffered a puncture in 2012, how will he fare this year? (Photo: Getty Images/Bryn Lennon)
Translation: "24 hours before departure ! Last training on top. Can not wait to be there."
The world says 'tchau' to Rio 2016
The Olympic Games closing ceremony will begin at 20:15 local time at the Maracanã and will feature more spectacular Brazilian cultural presentations and performances, as well as the traditional official handover of the Olympic flag from Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes to Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We will also get to see a flavour of Tokyo for what is to come in four years time! Don't miss out on the very last moments of what has been a fabulous Olympic Games!
The Closing Ceremony of Rio 2016 will take place at 20:15 (BRT) at the Maracanã Stadium (Photo: Getty Images/Mario Tama)
USA's Simeone Biles (4 golds and 1 bronze) has been chosen as flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
