A high-stakes swimming competition will be the highlight of the Paris Olympics on Sunday while gymnastics star Simone Biles is set to make her much-awaited debut at the Games.
Following an action-packed first day of competition that was affected by weather, day two at the Olympics will feature 13 gold medals up for grabs in various sports including archery and skateboarding.
The focus will be on the clash for the gold medal in the swimming pool at La Defense Arena, where Britain’s Adam Peaty will challenge China’s world champion Qin Haiyang in the 100m breaststroke.
Peaty, who holds the world record, aims to match swimming legend Michael Phelps by winning a third consecutive gold medal in the same event against Qin, adding intrigue to the competition.
Qin, who holds the world record in the 200m, was reportedly part of the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance between late 2020 and early 2021.
Both Qin and Chinese swimming authorities denied any wrongdoing, claiming they tested positive due to consuming contaminated food during domestic competitions.
A victory for Qin on Sunday is likely to spark another round of doping controversy that has surrounded swimming in the lead-up to the Olympics.
Peaty’s battle with Qin is one of the three swimming gold medals set to be decided on Sunday.
France’s top swimming hopeful Leon Marchand will seek glory in the men’s 400m individual medley, while the women’s 100m butterfly title will also be contested.
– Biles makes Olympic return –
In other events on Sunday, American gymnastics star Biles will return to the Olympic stage for the qualifying rounds.
Biles, who clinched four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, withdrew from multiple events at the Tokyo Games due to the challenging condition known as “twisties”.
Despite her struggles, Biles still managed to win silver and bronze medals, garnering praise for openly discussing her mental health issues.
After a two-year break, Biles made a successful comeback at the US Classics last year, adding four more world titles to her impressive tally of 23.
Biles has been shielded from the media attention since arriving in Paris to reduce the pressure on the 27-year-old, and she is unlikely to speak publicly until she has finished competing.
In other action on Sunday, the star-studded United States basketball team led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry will begin their quest for a fifth consecutive gold medal against Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
– Nadal tennis doubt –
In tennis, there are doubts about Rafael Nadal’s participation in the singles at Roland Garros after winning his men’s doubles opener with Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal is scheduled to face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Sunday, with Novak Djokovic as a potential opponent, but the 14-time French Open champion is dealing with a thigh injury and expressed uncertainty about playing.
Despite the rainy start to the games on Saturday, Paris woke up to blue skies and sun on Sunday, with a heatwave expected early next week.
However, the improved weather did not prevent the cancellation of the first triathlon training session in the River Seine on Sunday.
Due to recent rain and water quality concerns, the swimming segment of the triathlon orientation was called off following a joint decision by Paris 2024 and World Triathlon officials.
Organizers are confident that the water quality will improve before the triathlon competition begins on July 30.
In another event, beach volleyball near the Eiffel Tower will attract attention as convicted rapist Steven van de Velde plays for the Netherlands.
Vande Velde was convicted in 2016 for raping an underage girl and sentenced to four years in prison.
The decision to include Vande Velde in the team sparked controversy leading up to the Games, and he is not staying at the athletes’ village.
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