Olympic Breakfast: Taylor hungry for more success

It’s another day in which the boxers dominate the Olympics coverage on these shores, with Paddy Barnes also in action

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

It seems almost pointless to mention that Katie Taylor will be competing today, given the hype surrounding her in recent days. But in case you’ve somehow forgotten, make sure to be near a TV at approximately 2pm.

Meanwhile, amid all the Taylor-related hype, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it’s a big day for two other Irish representatives – namely, Paddy Barnes and Alistair Craig.

And turning our focus away from the Irish athletes, there’s also the return of Usain Bolt, in the 200m, to look forward to this evening.

Top of the bill

Athletics

A number of hugely important events are taking place in athletics this evening, including the Women’s Long Jump Final (8.05pm), the Women’s 400m Hurdles Final (8.45pm), the Men’s 200m Semi-final (8.10PM), the Women’s 200m Final (9pm) and the Men’s 110m Hurdles Final (9.15pm).

Men’s Basketball

USA’s Dream Team continue their Olympics bid, as they take on Australia at 10.15pm. It’s one of the four quarter-finals taking place today, which also include Australia v France (4.15pm), Russia v Lithuania (2pm) and Brazil v Argentina (8pm).

Table Tennis

China take on Korea in the Men’s Team Gold Medal Match at 3.30pm today. Korea impressively disposed of Hong Kong in the semis, winning in straight sets, while China looked similarly imperious as they beat Germany 3-1 in their last match.

Who’s flying the flag?

(Paddy Barnes competes at 8.45pm today – INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry)

Athletics

Alistair Cragg features in Heat 2 in the 5000m at 10.45am in the athletics. Should he qualify, he will then compete in the Final of the event at 7.30pm on Saturday, 11 August.

Boxing

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, you’ll know that Katie Taylor takes on Mavzuna Chorieva of Tajikistan at 2pm today in the Women’s Lightweight. Of course, Taylor isn’t the only Irish boxer in action today. Paddy Barnes takes on Devendro Singh Laishram of India at 8.45pm in the Men’s Light Flyweight.

And irrespective of what happens over the next few days, the Irish boxers will surely be deemed to have already had a successful Olympics, after Michael Conlan’s victory last night.

Don’t miss…

It will be fascinating to see how Usain Bolt gets on in the 200m Semi-Finals at 8.10pm, following his incredible display in the 100m. The Jamaican athlete already consolidated his legendary status with his display on Day Nine, so a similarly exceptional showing today and hereafter will be the icing on the cake as far as he is concerned.

Ireland’s interest in sailing may have ended, but that’s no excuse to ignore the Medal Race of the Men’s 49er at 1pm, with ten teams competing, including Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes of Great Britain.

And of course, there’s Katie Taylor at 2pm, which needs no further hyping up.