What you must watch today
Hockey, GB v Holland, women’s Pool A (11am)
The second of a Dutch doubleheader after the men crossed sticks this morning, this match has extra bite as Team GB famously beat them to gold in a shoot-out in Rio. The teams have suffered differing fortunes since, but GB have been solid in Pool A so far, with two wins and a defeat, and need just one point today to book their quarterfinal place. Saying that, Holland have been even better, with a flawless record, 14 goals scored and one conceded. This will be a yardstick of GB’S form ahead of the knockouts.
Gymnastics, women’s all-around individual (11:50am)
Coming into Tokyo, the question on everyone’s lips was whether Simone Biles would become the first woman since 1968 to win back-to-back titles in the allaround. After a dramatic few days, most are now wondering whether we will see the American again in the Olympic arena. Her absence from today’s all-around competition opens the doors for others and Jade Carey, who had the ninthhighest score in qualifying, will step in for her American teammate. Also in the final will be British twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova (above), who will be confident after their team bronze.
Rugby sevens, women’s Pool A, New Zealand v GB (10:30am)
GB’S first clash was against the Russian Olympic Committee in the early hours, but their second match is at a more sociable hour and they should have batted away any early nerves. Abbie Brown and Megan Jones will co-captain the women’s squad, which head coach Scott Forrest has described as having “gold-medal winning potential”.
Swimming, mixed 4x100m mixed medley relay, heats (12:21pm)
Who doesn’t love a swimming relay after watching those scenes yesterday when GB men’s 4x200 metres freestyle relay team beat the rest of the world? There is more where that came from. Similar to how they have introduced a mixed relay to athletics, swimming will also have a first mixed event in Tokyo. There are two heats, with the fastest eight overall progressing to Saturday’s final, and GB have the fastest entry time of anyone. Adam Peaty might not make an appearance in the heats, but you can bet on him turning up for any battle for gold.
TOMORROW Athletics, women’s 100m preliminary round (1am) and first round (4:15am)
This promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events of not just the track programme but the whole Olympic Games. Britain’s Dina Asher-smith won world silver in 2019 behind Jamaica’s Shellyann Fraser-pryce and the double Olympic champion looks very hard to beat again. Other contenders are Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and her compatriot, Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-herah.
Rowing, men’s eight final (2:25am)
It has been far from plain sailing for defending Olympic champions GB even to reach this point, finishing third in their heat to move into the repechage and then second to make the final. Given the recent weather, do not discount anything, even if New Zealand, Germany and Holland are the top contenders.
Trampoline, women’s qualification (5am) and final (6:50am)
Trampolinists spring up to heights of eight metres. Britain made the podium for the first time at Rio 2016 courtesy of silver medallist Bryony Page. She will be joined by Laura Gallagher, the under-19 world champion in 2007 who finally gets her Olympic chance 14 years after that title.