Paris 2024 Olympics – Daily Predictions (27/07/24): France look to get off to a flyer
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 men’s Rugby Sevens finals 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 men’s Rugby Sevens finals.
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 men’s Rugby Sevens final will be televised on Eurosport. In USA, NBC is the main broadcaster while some men’s Rugby Sevens finals will be shown on NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and Telemundo.
MEN’S RUGBY SEVENS FINAL
What time is the men’s Rugby Sevens final taking place? UK – 5:45pm / France – 6:45pm / US ET – 12:45pm / US PT – 10:45pm
Where is the men’s Rugby Sevens final taking place? Stade de France, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s Rugby Sevens final? Fiji
PREDICTION
In the pool stages of the men’s Rugby Sevens, New Zealand, Australia and defending champions Fiji all progressed with 100% records but the Kiwis then fall short of South Africa in the quarter-finals. The semis are set with the South Africans taking on hosts France, who defeated Argentina in the last eight, whilst Fiji saw off an impressive Ireland side to set up a semi-final with Australia. Two of the leading contenders, Argentina and Ireland, are already out so it does seem like quite an open final day.
France have the home advantage and have been playing some good rugby coming into the tournament but they will have to see off South Africa and then Fiji, who have won both of the Olympic tournaments since its introduction to the games in 2016. Australia have surprised many by reaching this stage as arguably the best team in the tournament but the likelihood remains that it is a France vs Fiji final and, with their home advantage, backing the French to get their Olympics off to a flyer would seem a good bet.
TIP: FRANCE TO WIN
MEN’S 400M FREESTYLE FINAL
What time is the men’s 400m freestyle final taking place? UK – 7:42pm / France – 6:42pm / US ET – 2:42pm / US PT – 12:42pm
Where is the men’s 400m freestyle final taking place? Paris La Defense Arena, Paris
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s 400m freestyle final? Ahmed Hafnaoui (Tunisia)
Who is the current world record holder of the men’s 400m freestyle? Paul Biedermann (Germany) with 3:40.07 set in Rome on 26th July 2009
PREDICTION
In Tokyo three years ago, Ahmed Hafnaoui pulled off something of a fairly major surprise to pip Jack McLoughlin of Australia to gold with Team USA’s Kieran Smith taking the bronze medal. McLoughlin has since retired, whilst Hafnaoui, now 21, has returned to being an outsider in this event. There is a heavy favourite for the event and that is Germany’s Lukas Martens.
The 22-year-old took the bronze medal for the 400m freestyle at the World Championships in Fukuoka last year as Samuel Short took gold and Hafnaoui finished as the runner up. It is most likely set to be a three-horse race, though, between Martens, Short and Eli Winnington of Australia. However, Martens, whilst favourite, has not yet taken a World Championship gold and, whilst Winnington himself is yet to win a major medal, backing the Aussie to start with a gold here would be good value and would set Australia up well as many suggest they have their ‘best ever’ team in the pool in Paris.
TIP: ELI WINNINGTON (AUS) TO WIN
