Paris 2024 Olympics – Daily Predictions (07/08/24): Hall and Hudson-Smith go for gold in men’s 400m
Each day, TSZ picks out some key Gold Medal events at the Paris Olympic Games.
Olympic Basketball Predictions
GENERAL OVERVIEW
When is the Paris 2024 Olympics taking place? The Paris 2024 Olympics is taking take place between 26th July, 2024 and 11th August 2024, although some preliminary events began on 24th July, 2024.
Where is the Paris 2024 Olympics taking place? While the majority of Olympic action will take place in Paris, 16 other French cities, as well as Tahiti in French Polynesia, will host events.
How to get tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympics: Click here for the latest ticket information for the Paris Olympics
How to watch the Paris 2024 Olympics: In the UK, the BBC is the main broadcaster while some event will be televised on Eurosport. In USA, NBC is the main broadcaster while some events will be shown on NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and Telemundo.
MEN’S 400M
What time is the men’s 400m taking place? UK – 8:20pm / France – 9:20pm / US ET – 3:20pm / US PT – 12:20pm
Where is the men’s 400m taking place? Stade de France, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 400m? Steven Gardiner (BAH)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 400m? Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) with 43.03 in Rio de Janeiro on 14th August 2016
PREDICTION
Following defending Olympic champion Steven Gardiner's withdrawal through injury, the men's 400m final could well turn out to be a two-horse race between Team USA's Quincy Hall and Team GB's Matthew Hudson-Smith, with the latter aiming to become the first British men's 400m champion since Eric Liddell 100 years ago.
However, Hall will have gold aspirations of his own, after having run a time of 43.80 seconds in the Diamond League earlier this year. Whilst Hudson-Smith has since surpassed this total, he has been afforded precious little luck when it comes to the Olympics, after missing Tokyo due to injury. Team USA knows what it takes to win when it matters on the track and despite finishing below teammate Michael Norman in qualifying, Hall has another gear which we may well see in the final. With that in mind, consider backing him to win a first-ever Olympic gold.
TIP: QUINCY HALL (USA) TO WIN
WOMEN’S POLE VAULT
What time is the women’s Pole Vault taking place? UK – 5:15pm / France – 6:15pm / US ET – 12:15pm / US PT – 9:15am
Where is the women’s Pole Vault taking place? Stade de France, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the women’s Pole Vault? Katie Moon (USA)
PREDICTION
The women's Pole Vault competition was dealt a shock following the elimination of Team GB's Molly Caudery in the qualifying round. Having won the World Athletics Indoor Championships back in March, she was widely tipped for a medal in Paris. But absence only increases the chances of further success for Katie Moon of the USA.
The reigning Olympic champion and two-time World champion is a pole vaulting superstar. Australian Nina Kennedy, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and shared gold with Moon in last year's world championships is likely to be the American's biggest competition. But Moon is expected to show her class in the final and secure back-to-back pole vaulting titles at the Olympics.
TIP: KATIE MOON (USA) TO WIN
MEN’S PARK FINAL, SKATEBOARDING
What time is the men’s Park Final taking place? UK – 4:30pm / France – 5:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
Where is the men’s Park Final taking place? La Concorde, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s Park? Keegan Palmer (AUS)
PREDICTION
In what is only the second men's park final in Olympic history, Keegan Palmer of Australia is aiming to become the first ever back-to-back Olympic champion in this event after winning gold back in Tokyo. It will take a special run to beat the 21-year-old, who triumphed at the Olympic Qualifier Series in Hungary earlier this year. However, a number of competitors have the game to overcome Palmer on the day.
One of those skateboarders is Gavin Bottger, the reigning world champion, whose vast array of tricks makes him capable of recording a monster score at La Concorde, should he manage to nail a high-risk run. Arguably the best park skateboarder set to compete in Paris, Bottger should be in his element and is well worth backing to edge out Palmer for the gold medal.
TIP: GAVIN BOTTGER (USA) TO WIN
