Surfing: Men’s and Women’s Finals

Tahiti is far from being a bland competition site. It can be both terrifyingly exhilarating and an awe-inspiring showdown. Keep an eye out for Carissa Moore, hailing from Hawaii among the women, and Gabriel Medina representing Brazil in the men’s division. The waves at Teahupo’o are shaped by massive southern ocean swells that rush in from deep waters before crashing onto a shallow, exposed reef. The wave’s base lies beneath sea level, while its crest towers like a house above the surface. Surfing at Teahupo’o is all about riding tubes with minimal turns – it’s a vertical drop, making getting on the wave a struggle. Once aboard, the lip swiftly covers you up. The true masters of surfing will seemingly vanish, perched atop the foam ball at the back, then reappear in a burst of water as the wave recedes. Ideal conditions could yield perfect tens without fail. [ED LEIGH]

Athletics: Men’s 100m Final

I’ll be keeping an eye on GB’s Zharnel Hughes at the upcoming track meet. His poised demeanor and natural talent as a sprinter are captivating, so I’d encourage him to trust in his abilities. Hughes is a top-notch athlete, and with confidence, he could make it to the final. If that happens, the spotlight will be on the US sprinters Noah Lyles and Fred Kerley due to their intense rivalry. However, don’t overlook Letsile Tebogo from Botswana, who might surprise everyone and outperform them all. Additionally, keep an eye on Andre De Grasse from Canada and Marcell Jacobs from Italy – this race is anybody’s game!

Artistic Gymnastics: Women’s Uneven Bars and Men’s Vault Finals

Becky Downie has earned medals on the parallel bars, yet an Olympic medal eludes her. This goal fuels her determination, especially since her first appearance at the Olympics was in 2008. Achieving success in Paris would make for an incredible narrative. The key to victory lies in flawless execution on the bars. Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour has maintained scores above 15 marks consistently, and current Olympic champion Nina Derwael is recovering from shoulder surgery and might not be fully prepared to compete. Jake Jarman is a strong contender for gold in the vault – he emerged as a promising talent in 2022 by winning the world championship, but qualification can be unpredictable.

Golf: Men’s Individual Strokeplay Final

Golf is unpredictable, making it challenging to determine which players will excel in each tournament. Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked first in the world, frequently contends, while Collin Morikawa has had a steady year. Jon Rahm from Spain will aim to validate his talent, as he has yet to fully prove himself. Rory McIlroy’s response to his US Open loss is uncertain, as he remains the only major championship title (other than a Masters green jacket) that has eluded him in his career. IAIN CARTER