PARIS: French swimming sensation Leon Marchand bid for two more Olympic golds in the pool on Wednesday as organizers said the Seine River was clear enough for both triathlons to take place.
The men’s and women’s triathlons were given the green light a day after the men’s race was postponed due to pollution in a Paris waterway.
“The results of the latest water analyzes were considered fine,” the World Triathlon and Paris Games Organizing Committee said in a statement on Wednesday, ending the tense wait for the athletes.
Home favorite Marchand sent the La Defense Arena pool crowd into a frenzy by winning the men’s 400m medley on Sunday and can expect another hot atmosphere when he competes in the 200m butterfly and 200m breaststroke finals.
The 22-year-old swam four times in the heats and semifinals on Tuesday and hopes to have plenty more left in the tank.
“It’s a lot for my system so I’ll have to sleep well, eat a lot and be ready,” promised Marchand, the poster boy for the games in the French capital.
American great Katie Ledecky, a seven-time gold medallist, is set to defend her 1500m freestyle title after going down to bronze in the 400m behind Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.
China’s world record holder Pan Zhanle is the favorite for the men’s 100m freestyle final, while 200m freestyle champion Mollie O’Callaghan is tipped to triumph in the women’s 100m.
Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto is aiming for a repeat gold in the men’s all-around final, where he faces a tough fight from China’s Zhang Boheng.
If Hashimoto delivers, he will emulate compatriot Kohei Uchimura by retaining the all-around gold, keeping it in Japanese hands for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Games.
Revenge could be a strong motivating force for Zhang after China’s late collapse in the team final allowed Japan to capture the gold.
In men’s basketball, the United States will focus on the quarterfinals when they face Olympic newcomers South Sudan.
Kevin Durant’s return from injury inspired the USA to beat Serbia’s Nikola Jokic in their opening match, the perfect start for the reigning champions as they eye a fifth straight Olympic crown.
“KD was phenomenal,” LeBron James said. “It’s almost like he never misses anything.
Novak Djokovic, who is chasing the elusive Olympic tennis gold, will face Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the third round, while Carlos Alcaraz plays Roman Safiullin.
Alcaraz will then return to court alongside Rafael Nadal in the doubles quarterfinals.
In women’s soccer, defending champions Canada must beat Colombia if they are to advance to the quarter-finals after a six-point deduction for a spying scandal.
Canada, which won its first two group games, has appealed the punishment to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with a verdict expected on Wednesday.
The U.S. looks to close out the group stage with a third straight win against Australia.
While the triathlons took precedence, there was further disruption, albeit on the other side of the world, as surfing events in Tahiti were further delayed by adverse winds and may not resume until Thursday.
On their return to Paris, China’s diving specialists will be looking to continue their dominance in the women’s 10m synchronized platform, an event they have won every time since its inclusion at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
First medals are on offer in rowing, the men’s and women’s quadruple, while Australia’s Jessica Fox has her sights set on another gold in the canoe slalom. Gold medals in fencing, judo, shooting, table tennis and BMX are also up for grabs on Wednesday.
