Olympics include track cycling, rowing, rugby sevens, golf and more
Last Updated: 11/08/16 11:03pm
Track cycling, which captured the public imagination at London 2012, gets underway in Rio on Thursday.
The whirlwind event yielded nine medals for Great Britain on home soil four years ago with Sir Chris Hoy at the helm, but his retirement has opened the door for a new generation.
Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny and Callum Skinner are the British interests when the track cycling begins inside Rio's Velodrome, the facility that came perilously close to not being ready for this moment.
Brit watch
Swimmer Andrew Willis has qualified for the final of the men's 200m breaststroke, while golf begins with Justin Rose and Danny Willett representing Great Britain.
The women's hockey team, who have already beaten Australia and India in the group stage, take on Japan. The men's rugby sevens team will hope to still be involved for the medal matches which conclude Thursday's play.
Approximate start times
- 11.30 – GOLF (men’s first round)
- 20.00 – GYMNASTICS (women’s all-around)
- 22.21 - CYCLING (men's team sprint finals)
- 23.00 – RUGBY SEVENS (gold medal match)
- 02.26 – SWIMMING (men’s 200m breaststroke)
Going for gold
America's pocket-rocket Simone Biles is threatening to become the breakout star of the 2016 Games and she is bidding for a second gold in gymnastics (women's all-around). Biles is just 19-years-old and stands at 4'9'' but has already led the way to gold in the States' team event.
Fiji will be the main competition for Great Britain in the rugby sevens medal matches as they bid to make history as the first Olympic medallists from their country.
There are more golds to dish out in the swimming, archery, canoe slalom, judo, rowing, shooting and table tennis.
Do not miss…
The golf. The first time the sport has featured at the Olympic Games since 1904 when Canada's George Lyon took home gold. But golf's return has been far from plain sailing.
The tournament has been blighted by a host of big-name withdrawals but Thursday's tee-off will still be a historic moment for Rio 2016. GB's competition includes Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Padraig Harrington, Martin Kaymer and more.
