Preview of the Commonwealth Games from Australia’s Gold Coast
The games move up a gear in Queensland with the start of the track and field events
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THE CARRARA STADIUM will take centre stage this week as the athletics events begin at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. With world and Olympic champions in competition, there’s sure to be some memorable moments. Here’s our day-by-day guide to the best of this week’s action, in the stadium and beyondé
SATURDAY
ONE TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICAN SWIMMER CHAD LE CLOS, A MULTIPLE WORLD AND OLYMPIC CHAMPION, IS SIX MEDALS AWAY FROM BECOMING THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ATHLETE IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES.
SEE HOW HE FARES IN TODAY’S MEN’S 200M BUTTERFLY FINAL. ALSO TODAY Track cyclist Callum Skinner of Scotland aims to triumph in the men’s individual sprint. Canada’s
Ellie Black is favourite in the women’s gymnastics individual all-around final. In the women’s weightlifting, England’s Commonwealth champion Zoe Smith has moved up to the 63kg category. Can she win again?
SUNDAY
ONE TO WATCH THE TRACK CYCLING ENDS TODAY WITH FOUR GOLDS UP FOR GRABS – WALES’ ELINOR BARKER LOOKS A GOOD BET FOR SCRATCH RACE SUCCESS AFTER SILVER AT LAST YEAR’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. ALSO TODAY As the athletics events begin today, there’ll be stunning views of Currumbin beach during the men’s and women’s 20km race walks. In the men’s hammer, England’s Nick Miller will be defending his title against Scottish rival Mark Dry – who took bronze in 2014.
MONDAY
ONE TO WATCH ENGLAND’S ADAM GEMILI, WHO TOOK THE SILVER IN THE MEN’S 100M IN 2014, FACES JAMAICA’S YOHAN BLAKE AND AKANI SIMBINE FROM SOUTH AFRICA, THOUGH CANADIAN ACE ANDRE DE GRASSE IS ABSENT.
ALSO TODAY Jamaica’s Olympic champion Elaine Thompson is the one to beat for the women’s 100m gold. In the pool, Wales’ Jazz Carlin defends her women’s 800m
freestyle title.
TUESDAY
ONE TO WATCH AFTER HIS 60M HURDLES GOLD AT THE WORLD INDOORS, ENGLAND’S ANDREW POZZI HAS A GREAT CHANCE IN THE MEN’S 110M HURDLES, WITH WORLD CHAMPION OMAR MCLEOD ABSENT.
ALSO TODAY It’s the last day in the pool with England’s Ben Proud defending his title in the men’s 50m freestyle. On the track, the men’s 400m could see Rondell Bartholomew of Grenada emulate the success of injured countryman and 2014 champion Kirani James.
WEDNESDAY
ONE TO WATCH AFTER CAPTURING OLYMPIC GOLD IN RIO 2016, ENGLAND DIVER JACK LAUGHER DEFENDS HIS INDIVIDUAL TITLE IN THE 1M SPRINGBOARD TODAY.
ALSO TODAY The absence of Greg Rutherford in the men’s long jump could see a South African showdown between
world champion Luvo Manyonga and Ruswahl Samaai. In the women’s 400m, Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-uibo of the Bahamas will be favourite.
THURSDAY
ONE TO WATCH TEAM SCOTLAND’S EILIDH DOYLE IS COMPETING IN THE 400M HURDLES, AIMING TO IMPROVE ON TWO PREVIOUS SILVER MEDALS. ALSO TODAY England ‘pocket rocket’ Dina Asher-smith is aiming for the podium in the women’s 200m final, but she’ll be up against Jamaica’s formidable Elaine Thompson. England’s Sophie Hahn will be competing in her first Commonwealth Games after winning gold in T38 100m at the World Para Athletics Championships.
FRIDAY
ONE TO WATCH AT 67, NORTHERN IRELAND SHOOTER DAVID CALVERT IS COMPETING IN HIS 11TH GAMES AND COULD ADD TO HIS TALLY OF FOUR GOLD AND FOUR BRONZE IN THE INDIVIDUAL QUEEN’S PRIZE TODAY.
ALSO TODAY England’s Katarina Johnson-thompson will hope that her javelin doesn’t let her down when the heptathlon concludes with the final three events. Australia’s Sally Pearson will be favourite to win her third straight Commonwealth 100m hurdles title in her hometown.