A hugely exciting day on Wednesday, but it could get just as exciting today. My five to watch for Thursday, July 29, and why I hope Simone Biles scratching from one of the most anticipated competitions of the Games won't lead to the vilification of an honest, but fragile, 24-year-old.
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Phil Gifford - My five events to watch on day six
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Full Kiwi schedule below. Click on a name to see athlete's bio, upcoming events, past Games performance and medal chance.
2) Realising the dream
Emma Twigg - Women's rowing singles sculls semifinal. 1.50pm
Twigg was working for the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland in 2018, to all intents and purposes retired from top level rowing when she decided it was time for one more tilt at the Games. She explained to journalist Suzanne McFadden at the time that a lot of the trip from Geneva would not be in a plane, but on a bike, riding with two friends overland. Since then it's been back to the water, and now, at 34, she's on the brink of realising, at her fourth attempt, her dream of an Olympic medal.
Live updates: nzherald.co.nz.
Live commentary: Newstalk ZB.
Watch live: SKY Channel 56, TVNZ.
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3) A look into the future
New Zealand v Kenya - Women's sevens pool game. 2.30pm
As sport forever broadens its horizons, an old favourite like rugby needs to constantly adapt, or die on the vine. Women's rugby, over the decades unloved and often only helped with great reluctance by male officials, is the vibrant ace up the sleeve for New Zealand Rugby. We'll all have our favourites. I may never be game to go to Kaikohe again after saying this: But having watched both Portia Woodman's father, Kawhena, and her uncle, Fred, play on the wing for Northland and the All Blacks, I find Portia the most exciting player of the trio.
Live updates: nzherald.co.nz.
Watch live: SKY Channel 55, TVNZ.
4) Here comes the recovery
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - Men's 49ers race five, 3.05pm
New Zealand's yachting campaign has been almost chaotic, with everything from penalties to capsizes. But if icy control is needed get back on track, look no further than Cool Hand Tuke and Iceman Burling. To quote the great Kiwi philosopher, Rachel Hunter, it may not happen immediately, but it will happen.
Live updates: nzherald.co.nz.
Watch live: SKY Channel 600, TVNZ.
5) It's in the genes, but not on the side you might expect
Ryan Fox - Men's golf first round. 11.52am
We all know that Ryan Fox is the son of All Black Grant Fox. But according to Grant, the Zen like calm Ryan can muster when he's putting has nothing to do with him. "He gets that from his mother. Merv Wallace (a former New Zealand cricket captain and coach) was Adele's Dad, and he was a famously calm, thoughtful man. So there is no doubt that gene line runs through Ryan."
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Live updates: nzherald.co.nz.
Watch live: SKY Channel 57, TVNZ.
And one we can only dream of
How much would we have all loved to see the genius of American Simone Biles today in the individual gymnastics competition?
Her decision to withdraw for the sake of her mental health has drawn vicious criticism from bottom feeding media like Piers Morgan. Choosing not to look a millimetre below the surface, but to just see Biles as overpaid, over praised and over sensitive, is the sort of Neanderthal thinking that should strike close to home for New Zealanders.
Let's remember how, in his early 20s, Sir John Kirwan seemed to be living every sporting dream, as a star All Black. In reality, depression was making his life miserable. So let's not, when talking about Biles, go near the suggestion some made to Kirwan at the time, to "harden up." As Sir John has brought home to so many Kiwis, that's not even remotely the answer.
