Matthew Richardson takes the track in cycling. Photo: Australian Olympic Team - Twitter
For all your Tokyo 2020 coverage, stay tuned to The Inner Sanctum’s Olympic hub and the Olympics Central.
Each day, The Inner Sanctum will break down the events to watch and why (all times AEST).
Each night, up with a recap of all the day’s events, and check out our live blog to follow along.
Closing ceremony
8:30 pm
17 days of non-stop sporting action will come to an end on Sunday evening at the closing ceremony. For three hours, fans and athletes can reflect on the highs, lows, and triumphs that defined Tokyo 2020.
This year’s ceremony will look different from what it has in the past, as athletes have been ordered to fly home 48 hours after their event concludes.
Because of this ruling, many of our Aussie athletes, including swimmers, rowers, and hockey players, will be watching from quarantine facilities after being a key part of an incredible campaign.
Many speculated Emma McKeon would bear the flag after her sensational run, but it was not to be. Instead sailing gold medalist Mat Belcher was bestowed the honour.
Like the Opening Ceremony, there will be no fans in the stands of Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.
The Tokyo Olympic organisers have revealed the theme is ‘World We Share’ which “expresses the idea that each of us inhabits their own world”.
If there’s one thing you must tune in for tomorrow, it’s the closing ceremony. Join in as the world farewells the Summer Olympic Games until Paris 2024 in style.
Women’s Basketball
Gold Medal Match – the USA vs Japan (12:30 pm)
Team USA came into Tokyo 2020 with one goal: a seventh consecutive gold medal. After an unstoppable Olympics campaign, its chance to lock in another one has finally come its way.
It will be no cakewalk for the Americans, as host nation, Japan stands in the way, with the likes of Rui Machida hungry to win a medal on home soil.
With plenty at stake for both sides, it should be a thrilling watch.
Athletics
Men’s Marathon (8:00 am)
106 runners will take the streets of Tokyo in the final event of the Tokyo 2020 Athletics program. In a brutal test of endurance, physical and mental strength, Aussies Brett Robinson, Liam Adams, and Jack Rayner will hope to go the distance in the scorching Japanese heat.
Cycling – Track
From 11:00 am
Track Cycling on day 17 looks like three events, with four medals up for grabs in the Men’s Keirin, and the Women’s Sprints and Omnium.
Heats for these medal races kick off at 11:00 am, but the medal races don’t commence until 12:45 pm.
Australian Annette Edmondson will be racing in the women’s Omnium event. This event is comprised of three qualifying races -a scratch race, tempo race and an elimination match which decides who qualifies for a shot at Olympic glory.
Should Edmondson receive the opportunity to race for gold, she will ride at 1:25 pm.
Two more Australians will compete in the Men’s Keirin quarterfinals, with Matthew Richardson in heat one, and Matthew Glaetzer in the third. Both of them will hope to finish in the top four of their heat to proceed to the semi-finals, and hopefully the medal race at 1:00 pm.
No Australian women will be competing in the Women’s Sprint, however, the finals take place at 12:45 pm and 1:05 pm.
Men’s Water Polo
Gold Medal Match – Greece vs Serbia (5:30 pm)
Greece has been strong all tournament – winning all but one game, to lock in a place in the gold medal match. As a result of their run-in form, they go into the match favourites for the highest Olympic honour.
However, defeating Serbia is no easy feat, as the Rio medallists will be doing all they can to defend its title.
Bronze Medal Match – Hungary vs Spain (2:40 pm)
There’s no denying Spain has been terrific all tournament – finishing undefeated in the group stages. After narrowly missing out on the gold medal match Spain will be striving for a podium finish and have a souvenir to show for its success in Tokyo.
Hungary will be no easy task, as Spain will have to hold off Krisztián Manhercz – the Game’s top scorer.
Classification matches
7th: Montenegro vs Italy (10:30 am)
5th: Croatia vs USA (12:00 pm)
More Tokyo 2020 news:
Tokyo 2020 Recap: Men’s Basketball Bronze Medal Game – Boomers vs Slovenia
Tokyo 2020 Recap: Women’s Water Polo – Netherlands v Australia
Belcher to bring Australia home with a wet sail at Tokyo 2020 Closing Ceremony
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Group All-Round Final (12:00 pm)
bines dance, gymnastics and callisthenics, the world’s most flexible, graceful and coordinated athletes perform routines while controlling props such as clubs, hoops or balls.
Five-time defending Olympic Gold medallists, ROC will have a chance to extend their reign in the group event of the Rhythmic Gymnastics.
In the qualifying round the day before, Bulgaria achieved a higher score than the ROC and could potentially knock the reigning champions off.
Will a traditional champion succeed, or will a new nation rise to take its place?
Women’s Volleyball
Gold Medal Match – Brazil vs USA (2:30 pm)
If you liked what you saw in the USA vs Australia Beach Volleyball final, indoor volleyball (although slightly different from beach volleyball), is just for you!
Brazil has had an undefeated run in Tokyo and will look to continue that trend against Team USA, who also had a solid run, losing only one game.
Rio Bronze medallists the USA are heavy favourites heading into the final due to their past Olympic success, however, Brazil should not be counted out because of their recent run of form.
Bronze Medal Match – South Korea vs Serbia (10:00 am)
Serbia and South Korea finished second and third in Pool A, with the Serbians prevailing in the final match of the group stage.
But that’s in the past and what happens now matters. Serbia finished with silver in Rio and will look to hold a place on the podium, while South Korea will look for its first podium finish since winning Bronze in 1976.
Women’s Handball
Gold Medal Match – ROC vs France (4:00 pm)
It’s deja vu as Rio’s gold and silver medallists meet again in the gold medal match of Tokyo 2020’s Women’s Handball tournament.
The last time they met, the ROC came away with gold, so France will be doing all they can to flip the result while the Russians will look to go for their second straight gold medal.
Bronze Medal Match – Norway vs Sweden (12:00 pm)
Norway and Sweden both topped their respective tables, so the Bronze medal clash should be a thrilling watch.
Should Norway win, history will repeat itself as the three-nation on the podium will be unchanged from Rio 2016. Additionally, an undefeated record in Tokyo bodes well for the Norwegians.
Boxing
From 3:00pm
Four more medals. Four more matches. Get excited.
Kicking off the day’s boxing bouts are Irishwoman Kellie Anne Harrington and Brazilian Beatriz Ferreria [BRA] in the Woman’s Lightweight final at 3:00 pm.
Later on, American Keyshawn Davis and Cuban Andy Cruz will battle it out for gold in the Men’s Lightweight category at 3:15 pm.
Shortly after, the Women’s Middleweight bout commences, with Britain’s Lauren Price and China’s Quan Li looking to lock in Gold for their country.
Finally, super Heavyweights Uzbekistani Bakhodir Jalolov and American Richard Torrez Jr’s bout for gold will conclude the Olympic boxing programme for Tokyo 2020.
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