Thursday, December 19, 2024

Paris Olympics: McClenaghan goes for gold – What is happening on day eight?

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In Daniel Wiffen and Hannah Scott, two of the three world champions from Northern Ireland have delivered in Paris.

Now it’s the turn of Rhys McClenaghan to go for Olympic gold.

The 25-year-old qualified for the pommel horse final in first position for Team Ireland, just ahead of GB’s Max Whitlock and Stephen Nedoroscik of the USA.

Can he deliver on the Olympic stage? We’ll find out from 16:15 BST at the Bercy Arena.

Speaking of champions, Olympic 800m freestyle winner Wiffen returns to the pool as he goes in the heats of the 1500m – which he also won at the World Championships in Doha in February.

His heat takes place and 11:05 BST, if successful, the final is on Sunday at 17:37 BST.

Danielle Hill is also in action at the La Defense Arena in the heats of the 50m freestyle at 10:19 BST, with a potential semi-final at 19:40 BST.

In addition, Hill will be part of Ireland’s 4x100m medley relay heats at 11:52 BST when she races alongside fellow Northern Irishwoman Grace Davison, Ellen Walshe and 100m breaststroke bronze medallist Mona McSharry.

Ards swimmer Davison, at 16, will be making her Olympic debut as she swims the closing freestyle leg.

Also in the morning session (11:40 BST), Conor Ferguson will race the breaststroke leg in the men’s 4x100m medley relay as he swims in an Ireland quartet alongside Shane Ryan, Max McCusker and Darragh Greene.

Dublin boxer Kellie Harrington is already guaranteed a medal ahead of her lightweight semi-final with Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira.

Harrington, who also won gold in Tokyo three years ago, takes to the ring at 21:08 BST.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy (11:44 BST tee time) and Shane Lowry (9:55 BST) are both in golf action for the penultimate round at Le National.

Team Ireland also have two cyclists – Ben Healy and Ryan Mullen – competing for gold in the men’s road race from 10:00 BST with Cathal Doyle, Luke McCann and Andrew Coscoran hoping to make it through to the 1500m semi-finals in athletics. All three will compete in a newly formed repechage round from 18:15 BST.

Other Ireland interest on Saturday sees Eve McMahon and Finn Lynch compete in the sailing while Madison Corcoran, Noel Henderick and Liam Jegou go in the men’s kayak.

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