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London 2012

Olympic Breakfast: Magee, Puspure target next step

What to see and what to skip? When are the Irish in action? Here’s our guide to all the action on day four in London.

EVERY MORNING, WE bring you all of the info you need to make sure you don’t miss a second of Olympic gold.

Team Ireland got the week off to a good start yesterday with a PB in the pool, another medal-worthy opening on the Weymouth water and heat happiness in the canoe slalom.

Tuesday will be a little bit quieter for Ireland’s competitors but there’s plenty to look forward to. Here’s what we’ve got lined up for day four in London.

Top of the bill

Swimming shocks It’s no exaggeration to say that the first three days of action in the pool have been among the most dramatic, unpredictable and controversial in recent years — and it doesn’t look like it’s going to let up any time soon. Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Camille Muffat kick off the next installment of America v France in the final of the 200m free (7.41pm). Michael Phelps is on the brink of a historic three-in-a-row when he goes in the final of the 200m fly (7.49pm). Under a cloud of suspicion, 16-year-old Chinese star Ye Shiwen looks for another gold medal and world record in the final of the 200m medley (8.43pm).

Horses for courses Showjumping is one of Ireland’s strengths and our three remaining riders will need to be at their best if they are to surge into medal contention on the final day of the eventing. Keep an eye out for Zara Phillips and Team GB as well when action gets underway from 10.30am.

White water Slalom canoeing must be one of the most watchable Olympic sports, so you might want to tune in to the semi-finals and finals of the men’s C1 from 1.30pm. There aren’t any Irish competitors but world number one David Florence and number two Tony Estanguet will bring the quality.

Who’s flying the flag?

Badminton: Four years ago, Chloe Magee made it to the last 32 of the women’s singles badminton. This afternoon, Donegal’s finest has a chance to go one better when she takes on Beijing quarter-finalist Hongyan Pi of France for a place in the last 16. Chloe is due on court at 2.17pm.

Equestrian: The eventing competition comes to a close today with the jumping discipline. Ireland currently lie in eighth and need a strong showing from the team’s three remaining riders — Aoife Clark, Joseph Murphy and Mark Kyle — if they are to challenge for a podium finish. Action at Greenwich Park gets underway at 10.30am.

Sailing: Four Irish boats resume competition today looking to build on an excellent first two days in Weymouth. Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern are in the 49er class at 12pm and 12.50pm; Peter O’Leary and David Burrows are in star action at 12.10pm and 1.50pm; and James Espey is in the men’s laser at 2pm and 3.30pm. Dubliner Annalise Murphy, who held the overnight lead after the first two races in the laser radial, is up at 12pm and 2.10pm.

Rowing: Latvian-born Sanita Puspure will need a top three finish if she is to book a place in the semi-finals of the women’s single sculls rowing in Eton Dorney this morning. Puspure has been drawn in the second quarter-final from 11.40am.

Do not miss…

Tennis

Men’s singles — Andy Roddick v Novak Djokovic — third on centre court (action starts at 12pm)

Women’s singles — Maria Sharapova v Laura Robson — fourth on centre court

Table tennis

Women’s singles quarter-finals — Ning Ding v Ai Fukuhara — 12pm

Gymnastics

Women’s team — USA, Russia, Romania — final 4.30pm

Swimming

Women’s 200m freestyle final; men’s 200m butterfly final; women’s 200m medley final — evening session from 7.30pm

Basketball

Men’s preliminary round – France v Argentina — 8pm

What are you looking forward to on day four? What have we missed? Let us know in the comments >

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