Denise Lewis on the greatest show on Earth
Why I am so excited about the greatest show on Earth
Denise Lewis
The Olympics will be full of sporting drama and these are the 10 events I cannot wait to watch The opening ceremony
After all the negativity, the doping scandal, the Russian controversy, the Zika virus, this will be the moment we are reminded that we are in for an unforgettable fortnight. As it happens, I went to three Olympics as an athlete and did not attend one opening ceremony, so I do not have first-hand experience of what they are like. My coach was never keen on me being there. He worried that they could be a long drawn-out affair, standing around for hours on end in extreme temperatures, he felt it was not going to help my performance. But I always watched on the television; it is that moment when you realise, ‘Wow, we are open for business.’
Track cycling
We have high hopes for medals from our cyclists whether they are on the track or road. One person whose smile lit up the velodrome in London was Laura Trott – she was only 20 when she became a double gold medallist. With four years more experience and a host of medals and titles since London she is poised for greatness. If she can add one more gold to her collection she will become our most successful female cyclist. She is a fierce competitor and I for sure would not bet against her.
Men’s gymnastics
There is British interest all over these Games: sailing, rowing, cycling, triathlon, boxing. I really do think we can do well in lots of sports. But for me, one of the favourites for gold is Max Whitlock on the pommel horse. I have loved watching how he has grown in stature and confidence since 2012. He showed his potential in London with two bronzes, but since then he has added the World Championship and gold at the Commonwealths. Beating his great mate Louis Smith was a big deal for him; he made the transition from being someone who was always looking up and became the man at the top. Goodness, doing that, beating the big guy, that gives you such confidence.
Women’s 100 metres
I cannot wait to see if Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce can win her third consecutive gold for Jamaica. What a thought that is, dominating the most glamorous distance for three Olympics. Her misfortune is she has been overshadowed somewhat by Bolt mania. In another decade where there was not such a whirlwind force as Usain to contend with – both at home and internationally – she would receive all the plaudits and be the face of the sport. Although she has not shown great form this season, like Bolt, never rule her out. She is formidable, especially when it comes to the big occasions.
Men’s 100 metres breaststroke
I love the swimming. It is always so exciting. And for me, Adam Peaty is one of the most exciting of them all. I met him recently, and was really impressed by his enthusiasm, his energy, his determination. Winning the Commonwealth Games was a fantastic experience for him. Since then he has added European and world titles, plus records galore. It seems to be only a matter of time before he adds the big one.
Mo Farah in 5,000m and 10,000m
Where do you start with Mo? What a performer: consistent, smart and best of all, invariably he delivers. Sure, it does not get easier; there are a lot of danger men in both the 5,000 metres and 10,000m. But time and again he proves that he can command a race. His reputation is such that the rest of the field seem to lose their race plan as they try to second guess what he will do. Yet he always executes his plan perfectly. When he broke the British 3,000m record recently, it showed what shape he is in, how that burst is not only still there, but improving. If he succeeds and does what only Lasse Viren has done before with another double he will immortalise himself in the history books.
Women’s 1500 metres
At the Anniversary Games, Laura Muir broke Kelly Holmes’s longstanding British record. That run announced to the world that she is a medal contender for Rio. You can tell a lot from how athletes respond to disappointments and Laura has had a few of those, notable finishing only 11th on home soil at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Since then she has demonstrated that she has grit and is not afraid to take on some of the more decorated athletes in her event. I like that about her. In middle-distance running you cannot be a wall flower, If she can get to the final and be in the right place at the right time, she might just surprise herself.
Weightlifting
This is what I love about the Olympics: you find yourself utterly absorbed by so many sports you do not normally see. Like weightlifting. I never watch it outside the Olympics, but every four years I cannot get enough of it. I lifted a lot of weights in training. Clearly mine were puny compared to what we witness in the competition, but I appreciate the endeavour and really admire the explosive power lifters generate. I sit there and I can feel myself holding my breath, waiting for three lights go on to indicate a clear lift. And I love the tactics of deciding what weight to go for, with competitors holding back waiting to go in, wondering whether they made the right decision. The drama is amazing, the way it is all or nothing, you either lift the weight or bang, you’re out. It is sport stripped bare.
Women’s 200 metres
I cannot wait to see Holland’s Dafne Schippers. Her gold in the World Championships when she became the fastest woman ever over 200m was something to behold. What a race that was. Maybe I am biased because she is a former heptathlete, but since she chose to specialise in sprinting, she has been electrifying. This is a discipline in which the US and Jamaica have long dominated, so she has really shaken things up. She always had the pedigree, but by working on the technical aspects of her race she has finessed that. We saw a taste of how good she can be last year. And it was sensational.
Heptathlon
Britain has two real contenders. Jess Ennis-Hill is in great form. Her win at the Anniversary Games cemented the fact she is back. Nothing is a foregone conclusion – especially in an event as demanding as this – but what Jess has is an amazing sense of self. She is someone in control. I get so nervous watching this event, my stomach does cartwheels. But watching Jess’s certainty always calms me down. Katarina JohnsonThompson is in superb nick right now. She had a terrific Anniversary Games and things are coming good at the right time. Imagine that: two Britons on the podium for the heptathlon. I don’t think they would be able to get me down from the commentary box ceiling for days.
If two Brits are on the heptathlon podium – they won’t be able to get me down from the ceiling for days