Yahoo Sports Five things to watch in Paris on Friday, Aug. 2
PARIS — From Damian Warner's hopes to defend his decathlon gold to Félix Auger-Aliassime competing in the semifinal of men's tennis singles, here are five things to look out for at the Paris Olympics on Friday, Aug. 2:
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WARNER IN ACTION
Defending Olympic decathlon gold medallist Damian Warner, the first Canadian to earn the honorary title of World’s Greatest Athlete, will seek to defend his title as the competition gets underway. Warner will compete in the 100-metre, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 events on Friday. Also in athletics, Ethan Katzberg takes part in the qualification round of men's hammer throw. Katzberg made history at the 2023 World Athletics Championships when he became the first Canadian to win a world title in hammer throw.
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LONG DISTANCE
Mohammed Ahmed will represent Canada in the men's 10,000 final -- a competition where he finished sixth place, Canada’s best Olympic result in that event since 1912, at the Tokyo Games. Ahmed made history at those Olympics where he won silver in the 5.000, marking Canada’s first Olympic medal in a long-distance track event.
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IN THE POOL
Canadian medallists Summer McIntosh and Ilya Kharun will look to make another splash in Paris. McIntosh, who has already won medley gold and freestyle silver, is set to swim in the women's 200 individual medley heats, while Kharun, who claimed bronze in the men's 200 butterfly, will compete in the 100 butterfly heats.
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BIG TEST IN BASKETBALL
Canada looks to stay undefeated when it plays its final group stage game in men's basketball against Spain. Canada sits atop Group A at 2-0 and has already qualified for the quarterfinals. Canada defeated No. 2-ranked Spain at last year's FIBA World Cup
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TENNIS SEMIFINAL
Montreal's Félix Auger-Aliassime will try to keep his magic going on the tennis courts as he faces Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal of men's tennis singles. The 23-year-old defeated No. 6 seed Casper Ruud in Thursday's quarterfinals, ensuring he will compete for a medal -- either bronze or gold. In mixed doubles, Auger-Aliassime and Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski will play the Dutch duo of Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof for a bronze medal on Friday
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2024.
The Canadian Press
