Star picks: The must-see events

The bond between athlete and coach is something special, especially in an individual event where the advice, support and encouragement is so vital.

A lot of eyes will be on the women’s 800 metres (Aug. 20) because of the presence of South Africa’s Caster Semenya; many of us — and Canadian fans should pay particular attention — will be watching Melissa Bishop.

Her nine-year relationship with legendary Canadian track coach Dennis Fairall, who suffers from progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative condition with no cure, is deep and special.

No matter what happens in the race, it will be a special and undoubtedly emotional moment.

DAVE FESCHUK, COLUMNIST

There are some sports best seen on television. Professional football comes to mind.

But there are others that need to be experienced in person to be fully appreciated. The men’s 100-metre final (Aug. 14) at an Olympics is one of those must-sees.

In Rio de Janeiro, the hushed, nervous silence before the gun will be promptly interrupted by a little less than 10 seconds of ecstatic energy as a planet fixes its eyes on Usain Bolt rising from the blocks on an historic run for a third straight gold medal.

KERRY GILLESPIE, REPORTER

Much of the Olympic Games centre on extraordinary individual talent and skill — how fast can a man run, how high can a woman jump — but it’s team sports that have the ability to rally an entire nation.

It’s not just one person anymore, it’s a team, a team of Canadians trying to be the best in the world. That’s why, for me, the must-see event in Rio is women’s rugby (Aug. 6-8).

It’s the Olympic debut for the fast and physical game of rugby sevens and what’s even better is that Canada’s women are good enough to win a medal.

ROSIE DIMANNO, COLUMNIST

Sweat-slicked bodies. Intricacy of movement. The agony of da feet. I’m talking salsa, baby, Brazil’s national passion. Bohemian Lapa district in the historic heart of Rio is the place to be.

Gonna bust a few moves at such famous dance emporia as Leviano or Clube dos Democraticos where the music is hot-hot-hot and . . . pardon?

Oh, sports event not to be missed at these Olympics. Got it. Well, since team synchronized swimming — always cracks me up, those noseplugs, those rictus smiles — is sadly off the menu at these Games, I opt for men’s pole vault (Aug. 15).

If only because I suspect the medal haul will be meagre for Canada this time out and I want to hear my national anthem played, damn it.

Best chance for gold is Shawn Barber, reigning BOIIING world champion. Maybe he cuts a mean mambo too.

BRUCE ARTHUR, COLUMNIST

The 100-metre dash (Aug. 14) is the true apex of every Olympics, in part because it is so thrillingly simple: Who can run from here to over there the fastest, faster than anybody in the world?

In Rio it’ll be the apex again, and only partly, for Canada, because Andre de Grasse is a medal hopeful.

But also, it will be the final Olympic run at the 100 for Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, the most thrilling athlete alive, whose performances in Beijing and London were incandescent.

The suspense of the race doesn’t just cover the hours before; it encompasses four years. On your marks.

There are people who say tennis (Aug. 6-14) is not the purest of Olympic sports, and I get that. Not everyone loves professionals competing in the five-ring circus — these athletes are, after all, (mostly) already rich and (mostly) already famous.

But for me, the joy of the Games is to see the best in the world, competing at their best, for the love of their sport. Serena Williams doesn’t need Rio hardware to fill out her trophy case: she has 22 majors and four Olympic gold medals already.

Despite a bum shoulder that kept her out of the Rogers Cup, Serena has said only an “act of God” will keep her away from Rio, and as an admirer of amazing female athletes, no matter the sport or the level, I’ll be tuned in, and cheering the example she sets simply by being there.