The women you should watch
Gymnastics.
Might as well start right at the top. Biles is the GOAT, and oddson to be the most popular and dominant athlete at the Tokyo Olympics. She is brilliant, innovative, special — let’s all just cheer for her.
Think about the greatest Olympians in history and the mind might turn to Jesse Owens, Paavo Nurmi, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis or Eric ‘‘The Eel’’ Moussambani. More recently, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps cemented their place as alltime greats. All blokes. But the Tokyo Olympics are set to be dominated by some extraordinary women. Sports editor Hayden Meikle identifies 10 to watch.
concerns but everyone — especially in the host nation — hopes the superstar will light up the Olympic courts.
Swimming.
The queen of the pool won five gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has broken 14 world records. Gunning to back up her 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle victories and will also be favoured to win the 1500m freestyle. The Phelps era has finished; it’s Ledecky time.
But watch out, Ledecky. Here comes a new Australian sensation. Titmus (20), nicknamed ‘‘The Terminator’’, swam the secondfastest 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle in history last month.
Climbing.
The best female athlete you’ve never heard of. But after watching Garnbret clamber up the wall when sport climbing makes its Olympic debut, you will remember her name.
Track and field
It’s byebye Bolt and hello to another Caribbean sprint sensation. But of course FraserPryce has long been a star in her own right. The pocket rocket is looking to become the first woman to win the 100m at three different Olympics. And at 34, she would be the oldest sprint champion in Olympic history.
Skateboarding
Could be absolutely unbelievable. Little Sky is just 13, and becomes the youngest British Olympian of all time. Fractured her skull last year, but has fought back to rank third in the world in the park boarding discipline. Born in Japan, too, so is bound to be popular — if only fans were allowed.
Basketball.
A legend of the hardcourt. Bird (40) and teammate Diana Taurasi (39) are poised to become the first basketball players to win five Olympic golds.
Canoe/kayak.
Got to have a Kiwi on this list. Dame Valerie Adams is still going strong, the women’s rowing eight and women’s sevens are favoured for gold medals, and Dunedin’s own Erika Fairweather will make a splash. But Carrington is queen, and will almost certainly be bringing home more gold medals.