What you must watch today
Today Cycling, men’s road race (3am-10.15am)
Those watching the climax of the race while enjoying a leisurely breakfast might just be treated to a British medal to go with their cornflakes. British trio Geraint Thomas, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Simon Yates all crashed at the recent Tour de France, but the brutal Mount Fuji road course is said to particularly suit Yates and twin brother Adam, while it is tricky to pick a clear race favourite.
Tennis, men’s and women’s singles and doubles first round (3am-12pm)
Heather Watson (women’s singles) and Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury (men’s doubles) will likely have long wrapped up their openers, but Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski are in the penultimate tie of four on Court 11 against Argentines Andres Molteni and Horacio Zeballos around mid-morning. And for the late risers, world No1 Novak Djokovic is the final star attraction on centre court against Bolivian Hugo Dellien.
Hockey, men’s pool stages: Great Britain v South Africa (10.30am)
Britain’s first task will be to make it out of the pool stage – something they unexpectedly failed to do in Rio before being completely overshadowed by their female counterparts. For those favouring a good omen, these two teams have only ever met four times at the Olympics, with Britain unbeaten, having taken two victories and two draws. Against a country ranked 14th in the world, Danny Kerry’s side will expect a positive start.
Football, women’s group stage, Japan v Great Britain (11.30am)
Wednesday’s victory over Chile, courtesy of two goals by Ellen White (above) and a composed all-round team performance, was the perfect way for Great Britain to kick off their football campaign after a nine-year Olympic absence. Hosts Japan, who drew 1-1 with Canada in their opening match, will provide a sterner test, but the carrot for Britain is that another victory would guarantee them a place in the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Swimming, men’s 100m breaststroke heats (12.25pm-12.40pm)
Has there ever been a bigger favourite for British Olympic gold than Adam Peaty? Over the past six years, the swimmer has proved he has no rival over the 100 metres breaststroke, has collected the 20 fastest times in history and his world record is more than a second quicker than anyone else. In Rio, the semi-final was the only round in which he did not set a world record, but it was at the same stage of the 2019 World Championships that he became the first man to swim under 57 seconds. Of course, Peaty still needs to do the business but after waiting an additional year for these Games, expect the 26-year-old reigning Olympic and triple world 100m breaststroke champion to start with a bang.
Tomorrow Swimming, men’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals (3.33am-3.45am)
Assuming all went swimmingly in the heats, Peaty will look to take another step closer to history in the semi-finals. No British swimmer has ever defended an Olympic title, but he is going to take some stopping.
Hockey, women’s pool stages: Great Britain v Germany (1.30am start)
The golden delights of Rio seem a long way away for Britain’s female hockey team, who have failed to live up to such heights since. A high turnover in playing and coaching staff has not helped, but the chance is there now for this crop of players to carve out their own story. Saying that, Germany, a team ranked third in the world and winner of silver at the recent Eurohockey Championships, are not the most welcome of first opponents.
Skateboarding, men’s street: prelims and finals (1am-5.55am)
There has been much hype about the five new additional sports for Tokyo, with skateboarding one of them. So here is your first chance to make up your mind, with the inaugural Olympic champion being crowned in the men’s street competition. There will be no crowds, but prepare for loud music pumped into the arena as the world’s best fight it out across ramps, rails and walls. Expect a battle royal between American Nyjah Huston and home favourite Yuto Horigome.