Celebrities

As a supporter, I’m excited about Mallory Franklin representing Britain with her silver medal win in the past competition. However, it’s impossible to overlook Jessica Fox from Australia, who has earned an impressive reputation as one of the greatest athletes in this sport, regardless of gender. Her achievements are truly remarkable – she recently claimed her 51st World Cup gold title and holds both the World and Olympic championship titles. Even when she encounters setbacks early in a race, such as hitting a gate, and it seems like she won’t be able to bounce back, she manages to leave everyone else behind by an impressive three seconds. Jessica is a complete athlete, embodying strength, grace, unparalleled technique, and remarkable consistency.

Georgia Taylor-Brown may not be as swift as she was during her silver medal win in Tokyo, but she’s currently focusing on high-altitude training. Beth Potter emerged victorious from the test event and is in top form. I hold a soft spot for Under-23 World champion Kate Waugh, although I don’t believe she’ll be contending for the top spots. The medals are likely to go to Potter and Taylor-Brown if the latter has managed to regain her race speed. Bermuda’s Flora Duffy is the defending champion but isn’t considered a favorite due to her extended injury layoff. Keep an eye on Lisa Tertsch from Germany, who boasts impressive running skills, and Cassandre Beaugrand of France, who possesses great talent. Annie Emmerson

Champion Charlotte Worthington, victorious at the Olympics, has been battling to regain her self-assurance and peak performance due to injuries. Although she remains an exceptional equestrian, earning a medal this time around may be challenging given the remarkable advancement shown by Chinese female competitors, particularly Sun Jiaqi. Hannah Roberts of the US is also finding it tough to compete. In the men’s category, we expect Kieran Reilly to shine. Kieran boasts impressive tricks and immense power, but the race for gold will be fierce with formidable opponents such as Brandon Loupos and Logan Martin from Australia. The top-ranked contender is Anthony Jeanjean, who will have the advantage of competing on home soil.

Iga Swiatek from Poland had been exceptional prior to her slip-up at Wimbledon. With an impressive record of winning the French Open title in four out of the last five tournaments, including this year, she is a strong contender for the gold at Roland-Garros. The Olympics hold a special place in her heart as her father Tomasz represented Poland in rowing at Seoul in 1988. However, unexpected champions have emerged at the Olympics before, like Belinda Bencic in Tokyo and Monica Puig in Rio. So, don’t be taken aback if an underdog takes center stage on Court Philippe-Chatrier today.

I’ve had a long-standing relationship with Dina Asher-Smith, and based on my experience with her, I hold a positive outlook towards her. Following a major coaching shift, Dina’s final stretch at the European Championships in Rome was impressive, suggesting that she is well on her way to delivering strong performances. With some fine-tuning of her starts, Dina could be in for an excellent showing. The Jamaican team has yet to prove their mettle, so it might be a dominant race for the Americans. Sha’Carri Richardson, a current world champion and an increasingly formidable runner, exudes confidence and thrives on the limelight. Given her penchant for grand displays, I believe she will put on quite the show at the Olympics. JEANETTE KWAKYE

Max Whitlock has an impressive opportunity to create history by earning a medal on the same apparatus at five consecutive Olympic Games. His accomplishments in gymnastics have left us in awe. When he debuted in the 2012 London Olympics as a young athlete, he brought home a medal for our team. Since then, his career has soared to new heights. However, this feat won’t come without challenges. Rhys McClenaghan from Ireland will be a formidable opponent, as they have faced off against each other throughout their careers. Moreover, numerous gymnasts have been delivering impressive scores (15 marks or more) on the pommel horse. Therefore, qualifying for the final will be a tough task. Max’s experience and skills, however, make him a strong contender to persevere and claim victory. [Beth Tweddle’s name mentioned for context only]