The 9Network’s expert commentators have handed down their verdict of a huge Day 5 of action of Paris 2024, with predictions that tonight is shaping up to be the biggest night of the Games in the pool where Kyle Chalmers could lay claim to be ‘one of the greatest sprinters in history.’ 

Finals action in the pool places Mollie O’Callaghan, King Kyle Chalmers and Shayna Jack on centre stage in the high octane 100m freestyle events, plus Zac Stubblety-Cook out to defend his 200m breaststroke gold medal from Tokyo. 

Olympic gold medallist and 9Network swimming expert, Giaan Rooney, said: “This is shaping up as one of the biggest nights for Australia in the pool in Paris for so many reasons.”

“After her maiden individual Olympic gold in the 200m freestyle, and her lead off leg in the 4 x 100 free on night one being the fastest time in the world this year, Mollie’s confidence will be sky high, while Shayna is a woman on a mission after a history that would have buried most athletes. Expect Shayna to fight her way into medal contention with the grit she has so consistently displayed.

“While for Kyle Chalmers, if he can pull off victory in the Men’s 100m Freestyle, he will go down as one of the greatest sprinters in history.

“Zac is one of Australia’s most unheralded champions. Here to defend his Olympic Gold Medal in the 200m Breaststroke, he has flown under the radar leading into Paris but knows how to perform when it counts.”

After their heart stopping last gasp win against Zambia, the Matildas face a goliath of women’s football when they meet the U.S.A in their must win final game of the group stages.

Former Australian representative and Channel 9 Women’s football expert, Grace Gill, said: “The final group game against the USA is a monumental task. The Matildas have only beaten them once in their history and the current USA side is looking incredibly sharp under Emma Hayes. 

“I’d expect an adjustment to how the Matildas approach this game, whether that’s in personnel, tactics or both. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing those changes and hopefully what is the Matildas best performance yet. Undoubtedly it’s going to be an incredible challenge to overcome, but the Matildas love a challenge and put their best foot forward as the underdogs.”

Alex Cullen will have exclusive Australian broadcast access to the stadium in Marseille for the big game, to cover all the action and reaction, live and free on the 9Network.

With one gold medal already hanging around her neck, Jess Fox has her eyes set on defending her Canoe Slalom C1 title from Tokyo 2020, in the high charged women’s finals.  

9Network Canoe Slalom expert, Richard Fox, said from France: “The C1 Women’s event promises to be a tightly fought final, like the kayak event, with German Elena Lilik, Czech Gabriela Satkova and Tokyo silver medallist, Mallory Franklin of Great Britain the main challengers to Jess Fox world number 1 and defending champion.”

Plus the Hockeyroos will take the next step on their Parisian path in Women’s Hockey, this time against the USA.

9Network Women’s Hockey expert and former Hockeyroos player, Georgie Parker said. “The hockeyroos will take plenty out of their comprehensive win against Great Britain with our seven Olympic debutants settling in. The USA are a notoriously fit and physical team which wewill most definitely be able to match. 

“Australia’s defence is the area we need to tidy up most. We were exposed a few too many times in our opening matches, so I’m sure the group will look at this and make sure there are less counter attack opportunists against a fast paced USA side.”

Also featured

• Logan Martin in the Men’s BMX freestyle final
• Aussie stingers women’s Water Polo against the Netherlands
• The Men’s and Women’s triathlon
• Rowing Women’s Quadruple/Four Sculls
• The final of the Women’s trap shooting
• 3 x 3 Women’s basketball

LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9, 9GEM AND 9NOW 
EVERY OLYMPIC EVENT STREAMED LIVE AND FREE
WITH REPLAYS AND EVERY BIG AUSTRALIAN MOMENT ON 9NOW

For further information, please contact:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist & Digital Manager – Sport
ryley.mckay@nine.com.au

Alessandra Muratore
Senior Publicist
alessandra.muratore@nine.com.au

Wednesday, July 31, 2024