Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will clash once again at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday. Meanwhile, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus is favored to win her second swimming gold of the Games.
On the third day of competition, Britain’s Tom Daley will attempt to break China’s expected dominance in diving. Additionally, China and Japan will compete for the gold in the men’s gymnastics team final.
Gold medals will also be contested in archery, canoeing, mountain biking, equestrian, fencing, judo, shooting, and skateboarding.
The highlight event will be at Roland Garros, where Djokovic and Nadal will meet for the 60th time, with Djokovic leading their rivalry 30-29. Despite Nadal’s historical success on the Parisian clay, he acknowledged Djokovic as the “clear favourite” due to his recent injuries and declining competitiveness.
Nadal remarked, “It’s always special to play against one of my greatest rivals on this court. But circumstances are different now. He’s in top form, while I haven’t been competitive for the past two years.”
Titmus Eyes More Gold
In the pool, Ariarne Titmus is set to compete in the 200-meter freestyle final, aiming to add to her dominant 400m victory on Saturday, where she outpaced rivals Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky.
Titmus, the reigning champion and world record-holder in the 200m, faces her toughest competition from fellow Australian Mollie O’Callaghan. Titmus, from Tasmania, expressed her joy after her 400m win, saying, “I’m just the same old goofy Tassie girl living out her dream. It shows that hard work and self-belief can achieve anything.”
Other swimming finals on Monday include the women’s 400m individual medley, men’s 200m freestyle, men’s 100m backstroke, and women’s 100m breaststroke.
Daley Challenges China’s Diving Dominance
China’s diving team, who won seven out of eight golds at the Tokyo Games, faces pressure to repeat their success. Tom Daley, who won gold in the men’s synchronised 10m platform in Tokyo, will team up with Noah Williams to challenge the Chinese dominance.
Daley, Britain’s male flag-carrier at the opening ceremony, commented, “On paper, China should win every event, but the Olympic Games come with immense pressure and expectations.”
China secured the first diving gold in Paris, winning the women’s synchronised 3m springboard ahead of the United States and Britain.
Ukraine’s Kharlan Seeks Fencing Gold
In other events, Japan’s Yuto Horigome defends his skateboarding street title after rain postponed the event on Saturday. Japan aims to sweep the medals with strong contenders Sora Shirai and 14-year-old Ginwoo Onodera. However, American Nyjah Huston remains a formidable competitor.
In fencing, Ukraine’s Olga Kharlan, a four-time individual world champion, is aiming for her second Olympic gold and fifth career medal. Kharlan, based in Italy, highlighted the significance of another gold amid the challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Leave a Reply