Olympic Athletics – Heptathlon Preview & Prediction
GENERAL OVERVIEW
When is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place? The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is taking take place between 23rd July, 2021 and 8th August 2021, although some preliminary events began on 21st July, 2021.
Where is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics taking place? While the vast majority of Olympic action will naturally take place in Tokyo or the surrounding areas, the likes of Yokohama, Saitama, Sendai, Kashima and Sapporo are also hosting events.
Where can I get tickets for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? Many events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are be taking place without spectators, but not all. For full information, your best bet is to head here for the latest information.
What TV channel is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on in the UK? Televised Olympic coverage is shared between BBC and Eurosport so it is worth checking their schedules for the full breakdown.
Where can I stream the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the UK? Unlike in previous Olympic Games, the Beeb can only show two live events at any one time, which are viewable on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. Eurosport subscribers can stream the action on Eurosport Player, while the biggest offering is available for subscribers of discovery+, the new player in town. For those not inclined, the BBC have a highlights programme at 19:30 every evening.
EVENT OVERVIEW
What time is the Heptathlon taking place? 01:35 on Wednesday 4th August (UK time)
Where is the Heptathlon taking place? Olympic Stadium
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the Heptathlon? Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium
Who is the current world record holder of the Heptathlon? Jackie Joyner-Kersee of the United States with a points tally of 7291 in 1988
WHO ARE THE LEADING MEDAL CONTENDERS?
There are two clear favourites for this event and that is the reigning Olympic champion and the current world number one.
Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam defeated Jessica Ennis-Hill to the gold medal in Rio in 2016 and she comes into this alongside Team GB’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson as the fancied athletes for glory.
The issue for Johnson-Thompson would be her recurring injury issues that means she hasn’t managed to compete in the season building up to the Olympics. Her form, therefore, is unknown. She was fancied for a medal in 2016 as well but a fairly disappointing sixth-place finish will have frustrated. The most recent World Athletics Championships in Doha saw the British athlete come out on top with a tally of 6981 points.
TSZ’S PREDICTION
Katarina Johnson-Thompson has an argument to be one of Team GB’s greatest athletes without an Olympic medal and she is expected to break that duck here. However it isn’t anticipated to be gold due to that unknown nature of her form coming into the event. Thiam is expected to defend her title for Belgium.
TSZ Tip: NAFISSATOU THIAM (Belgium) TO WIN
