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 are the Men’s Floor Exercise and Men’s Pommel Horse taking place? 09:00 on Sunday 1st August (UK time)
Where is the Men’s Floor Exercise and Men’s Pommel Horse taking place? Ariake Gymnastics Centre
Who is the reigning Olympic champion in the Men’s Floor Exercise and Men’s Pommel Horse? Max Whitlock is the reigning Olympic champion in both events
WHO ARE THE LEADING MEDAL CONTENDERS?
Max Whitlock won both of these events in 2016 and the Team GB athlete will be looking to defend his title in the pommel horse. However, we will have a new Olympic champion in the Floor Exercises as Whitlock will not be competing in that event.
The Israeli Artem Dolgopyat will come into the event as the fairly heavy favourite as he bids to win Israel’s first medal of the entire games so far. Aside from Dolgopyat, Nikita Nagornyy of the Russian Olympic Committee will come into the event with a chance following his contribution to the ROC’s gold medal in the Men’s Team All-Round event and his bronze medal in the Individual All-Round event.
Xiao Routeng will also be hoping to collect a medal after an impressive performance in the Floor Exercise in the Men’s Individual All-Round event as he went on to win a silver medal in that event after a bronze in the team all-round.
Whitlock is expected to collect a medal in the men’s pommel horse but he has serious competition from Ireland’s Rhys McLaughlin and Lee Chih-Kai of Chinese Taipei. Those three are expected to make up the podium places but the order is unknown; the two-time Olympic gold medalist Max Whitlock will bake his experience to give him the edge.
TSZ’S PREDICTION
None of the three medalists in the Men’s Floor Exercise from Rio 2016 will be competing in this year’s event so it’ll be three new medalists. The gold medalist is likely to be Dolgopyat. As for the pommel horse, that is a lot less clear cut but the reigning champion will need to be defeated in that event and that is always a difficult ask. Given that, Team GB’s Max Whitlock would be the one to back.
TSZ Tip: Artem Dolgopyat (Israel) in the Floor & Max Whitlock (Great Britain) in the Pommel Horse
