Rio 2016 Thursday 11th preview: Sprinters aim for London repeat as Pennie targets kayak gold

The 2016 Olympic Games is well underway with the world’s best athletes battling it out for medals. Here are the most fascinating events happening on the first Thursday in Rio, Brazil.

ONES TO WATCH:

Fiona Pennie qualified third in the heats for the women’s K1 kayak behind Italian Stefanie Horn and Australia’s Jessica Fox. The 33-year-old has two world championship individual silvers and a European gold to her name, therefore will be hoping that she can break her Olympic medal duck with a strong run (THURSDAY 17.15 BST).

THE MAIN EVENT:

CYCLING - MEN’S TEAM SPRINT (THURSDAY 20.00 BST)

The first day of velodrome action sees the popular men’s team sprint event contested. Sir Chris Hoy led Great Britain to gold at London 2012 alongside Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes with Hoy now replaced by Callum Skinner. France and Germany rounded off the podium four years ago, but New Zealand are the reigning world champions. The Dutch, Russian, Polish and Australian teams are feared too.

THE RIVALRY:

SWIMMING - WOMEN’S 100M FREESTYLE (FRIDAY 03.18 BST)

It is not often that siblings emerge through the rigours of sporting competition to face off at the Olympics, nevertheless the Campbell sisters from Australia could be set for a battle royale in the last Thursday pool final. 24-year-old Cate is the world record holder, but younger sister Bronte is the reigning world champion with both already chalking up a gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Swede Sarah Sjostrom is their main rival for the gold.

THE UNDERDOG:

HANDBALL - MEN’S PRELIMINARY (THURSDAY 20.40 BST)

The Brazilian men’s handball team face a tall order if they are to qualify for the last eight of this tricky competition. They have won one and narrowly lost one of their opening Group B games, the German side they face next unbeaten. Coach Jordi Ribera will hope that the home fans at the Future Arena can help inspire veteran goalkeeper Maik Santos, sharpshooter Fabio Chiuffa and the others to a famous victory.

THE REDEMPTION:

CANOE SLALOM - MEN C2 (THURSDAY 16.30 BST)

Gauthier Klauss and Matthieu Peche came fourth at London 2012 behind the formidable British pairings that scooped gold and silver. This time around, the French pair have qualified second for the semi-finals with Brits David Florence and Richard Hounslow third plus German duo Franz Anton and Jan Benzien fifth. After winning four world championship golds, Klauss and Peche know that this could be their best chance ever of paddling to gold.

Stay tuned for daily previews throughout all the Olympic Games in Rio.

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