5:14 p.m., July 28, 2021, modified at 5:20 p.m., July 28, 2021
French in the running, predictions, medal table … From July 23 to August 8, discover the JDD newspaper dedicated to the Tokyo Olympics every day. For the day Wednesday, we follow Claire Bové and Laura Tarantola in rowing, Maxime Grousset in swimming and we wonder about the size of the BMX.
Already three medals for the French women’s judo team. Soon four? Madeleine Malonga’s turn to confirm her favorite status (under 78 kilos). Good luck also with the women’s team foil and gymnastics, without the icon Simone Biles but with Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos in the eventing.
1 – The French medals table for Wednesday July 28
Medal table for Wednesday July 28 (JDD).
The pace is accelerating for our pleasure: the day after the coronation of Clarisse Agbegnenou, it was the gold of glory for Matthieu Androdias and Hugo Boucheron in rowing. Unfortunately, the rest of the day was not up to par, like Jean-Charles Valladont, Olympic archery vice-champion in Rio, eliminated in the 32nd final. Eaten by Japan (4-0), our footballers came out like blues. Basketball players and handball players continue their flawless qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Matthieu Androdias and Hugo Boucheron after their victory in rowing at the Olympics (AFP).
2 – The event not to be missed: Dressel like a fish in water (4:37)
The rodents Maxime Grousset and Caeleb Dressel. (AFP)
If you have the courage to wake up, not only will you see one of the most anticipated events of the Olympics, the men’s 100-meter freestyle; but you will also live an authentic swimming experience, namely waking up at dawn for a first frozen dive. As a reward, you can admire one of the most impressive athlete: Caeleb Dressel. The 24-year-old American, two-time Olympic champion in Rio, is aiming for five more gold medals. He started off with success in the 4×100-meter freestyle. “He has no difficulty in chaining,” his rival Florent Manaudou told us at the start of the year. Frenchman Maxime Grousset (22) will try to grab the podium.
3 – The stinging prognosis: rowing (again) superstar (3h10)
Because a mother wants for her daughter better what she has had, Claire Bové can only bring back the gold in the final of the lightweight two-pair. Christine Bové was vice-world champion in 1988. With her partner Laura Tarantola, the 23-year-old took second place in the semi-final. Hoped for in bronze by the specialists of the lake, they can do better, boosted by the triumph of Matthieu Androdias and Hugo Boucheron, gold medalists by beating the Olympic record. Girls do not ask for so much: the ribbon and the golden pendant will suffice.
4 – Nobody cares, but not us: American-Japanese duel on the green (0h30)
Golf at the Olympics, we still don’t get used to it. Five years after Rio, the little white ball remains in the shadows. However, the tournament which begins tonight offers a quality table. Despite the few dropouts and refusals related to the health situation, several top names are at the rendezvous. King of the Augusta Masters, Hideki Matsuyama will play at home. He will have a lot to do against the Americans Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, recent winner of the British Open. Romain Langasque and Antoine Rozner will carry French hopes.
5 – The cheat sheet of the Olympics: why are BMX bikes so small?
Costa Rican bicrosser Kenneth Tencio Esquivel in training for the Olympic Games in Tokyo on July 28. (AFP)
“Did you buy your bike from the children’s department?” Drum roll, cymbal. This is the joke that every bicrosseur has heard, the comic power being inversely proportional to the inconvenience caused. There are good reasons why bikes are so small. BMX is an extreme sport, both fast and violent. A smaller dial offers better control of the machine. The wheels, smaller than those of an ATV (20 inches versus 26), allow faster acceleration and deceleration. And they are more resistant to shocks. In short, BMX are models condensed to respond to the intensity of the discipline. Also note: they have neither speeds nor suspensions.
