Team Ireland is approaching the culmination of an extremely eventful two weeks, with only two more days left. The weekend promises action from four solo athletes and our ladies’ 4x400m relay squad, after which they’ll have ample opportunity to either celebrate or catch up on much-needed sleep.
Saturday sees Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow preparing for their final rounds in golf, a journey that has been challenging for both. Although Meadow shot her finest round of the tournament on Friday, a 72, landing her in the top 50, Maguire’s score of 83 places her second last on the leaderboard.
We anticipate with fingers, toes and anything else crossed, that the evening’s 4x400m relay final at 8.14pm will be the highlight of the day, marking the closing track event of the Olympic programme. Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Kelly McGrory and Sharlene Mawdsley secured a third-place position in their semi-final, and we’re hopeful for Rhasidat Adeleke’s contribution to the final if she’s recovered from Friday’s 400m final.
The United States are the hot favourites to clinch the gold, with the Netherlands predicted to follow closely behind. However, the uncertainty of baton-exchanging keeps everyone on their toes. The full lineup includes Ireland, Jamaica, Britain, France, and underdogs Belgium and Canada.
On Sunday, the remarkable Fionnuala McCormack, only a month away from turning 40, is set to make history as the first Irishwoman to participate in five consecutive Olympic Games when she takes part in the marathon. McCormack’s past Olympic ventures range vastly, covering 3,000m steeplechase in Beijing 2008, 5,000m and 10,000m events in London 2012, the marathon in Rio 2016 and the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Her finest marathon performance came in Rio where she secured a 20th place finish.
According to projections, the quest for victory at the medal stage is likely to be a contest primarily between Kenya and Ethiopia, although Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, who has recorded the second quickest time in women’s marathon history, could pose a significant challenge, assuming she regains her fitness after competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m races. For Ireland, Lara Gillespie will be the last participant, competing in the Omnium – a combination of scratch, tempo, elimination and points races in cycling.
Worth noting is that close to 40 gold medals will be available for grabs on Super Saturday, which also features the men’s marathon opening at 7am. Additional finals in athletics will scatter throughout the day, including the men’s high jump, 800m, 5000m and 4x400m relay, as well as women’s javelin, 100m hurdles, 1500m and 4x400m relay.
The American basketball dream team will also be aiming to secure their fifth consecutive men’s Olympic title in a match against France in the Bercy Arena (8.30pm). In the football domain, the US will face Brazil in the women’s final at the Parc des Princes (4.0).
There’s certainly to be some sympathy for the athletes who will have to compete on the final day of the Games, while others will be enjoying their post-event relaxation. The group of unlucky athletes includes those competing in marathon, basketball, modern pentathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, water polo, wrestling, handball and cycling.
Those participants are expected to make it to the closing ceremony at the Stade de France just in time (8pm), which will include a parade of athletes, possible appearance of Tom Cruise descending the stadium via a rope, numerous speeches, musical performances by notable acts including Billie Eilish, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg, among others and handover of the Olympic torch to Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles – marking the end of Paris 2024.
Irish Participation
Saturday
Starting from 8am: Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow (Golf – final round).
The women’s 4 x 400m relay final in athletics is scheduled for 8.14pm. On Sunday, Fionnuala McCormack will be participating in the marathon athletics event, starting from 7am. Lara Gillespie will be competing in the Omnium cycling event from 10am onwards.