Rowing: Women’s Four Final

Team GB hadn’t secured a gold medal in women’s rowing prior to the 2012 London Games. It was there that Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, in the pair event, claimed the first of three golds for Britain in this discipline. Now, Helen, who is a mother, has returned to compete in the four, occupying the bow seat – an ideal position to share her insights and stories. As an older rower, I came to understand that my best shot at success relied on my teammates outperforming me. Most likely, this is also true for Helen. The entire team exhibits exceptional strength, making them strong contenders for another gold medal victory. GREG SEARLE (Paraphrased)

Sailing: Men’s Skiff Medal Race

As a movie lover, I’ve been closely following the progress of James Peters and Fynn Sterritt at the Marseille competition. These two seasoned athletes are poised to bring home the first medals, and although they may not be guaranteed a gold win, their performances have been steadily improving. They’re not newbies; they’ve both got plenty of experience under their belts. And just when you thought it was all over for them, they seem to have timed their challenge perfectly.

BMX Racing: Men’s and Women’s Finals

I’ve been following BMX racing closely, and while some courses can turn into monotonous processions, Paris stands out with its challenging and expansive layout. Consequently, I’m excitedly anticipating an impressive display filled with thrilling overtakes. The global rankings may not reveal it, but GB’s Kye Whyte had a trying 2023 due to numerous injuries. However, he’s bounced back strongly and has been consistently placing among the top three contenders in 2024. With a silver medal from Tokyo already under his belt, this could be the year he takes home the gold. Our reigning Olympic champion Beth Shriever is known for her blazing speed and ability to rise to the occasion. Despite suffering a broken collarbone earlier in May, such injuries are commonplace for BMX riders – just part of the job they’ve signed up for.

Trampoline: Women’s Final

As a former elite-level gymnast and Olympic medalist myself, I can truly appreciate the intensity and pressure that Bryony Page and Izzy Songhurst are experiencing as they prepare for the Paris Olympics. Having been there myself, I know that every detail matters in this sport, especially when it comes to trampoline.

Swimming: Men’s 50m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley, Women’s 200m Backstroke Finals

It’s an exciting prospect for the French fans if Léon Marchand manages to win the 50m freestyle, but he’ll face tough competition from Ben Proud of Great Britain and Caeleb Dressel of the USA. I’d love to see Ben on the podium; he’s won numerous World Championship golds, yet hasn’t claimed an Olympic medal. However, Caeleb, a multi-Olympic champion, can’t be underestimated, especially since the crowd will be cheering for Marchand. In the 200m IM, Duncan Scott is a contender, but it’s Tom Dean’s primary individual event in Paris and he’s shown significant improvement. Lastly, keep an eye on Freya Colbert in the Women’s 200m backstroke; she has the potential to be a new British swimming sensation in Paris – she looks promising! ELLIE SIMMONDS