We need to see this happen
58% of people think that they would win the Olympic 100m sprint if they had a 12 second head start, a recent JOE Instagram poll has revealed.
With all fans knowing of Usain Bolt’s incredible world-record of 9.58seconds, it would require an incredibly significant head start to even compete.
A further 8% however believe that they would only require a ten second head start.
Additionally, 8% also boldly claimed that they would only need a two second head start. We have some future Olympians in the house.
Always one of the most enthralling events of the Olympics though, the 100m sprint is hugely anticipated.
The 2012 London Olympics 100m men’s final was one of the greatest showings of all time, with Bolt defeating Yohan Blake in a grande finale.
Tomorrow, the women’s 100m preliminary round starts with Sha’Carri Richardson of the United States and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica the favourites to go all the way.
As for the men’s 100m, Christian Coleman of the United States is the frontrunner, followed by Noah Lyles.
Let the games begin.
How Team GB is doing compared with Tokyo, London and Rio
Day five at the Paris Olympics was truly breathtaking. The drama that unfolded, from around 7am in the triathlon to the poster boy of the games winning a double gold in the pool for France – it was gripping.
For Team GB it was a wonderful Wednesday which began with Beth Potter picking up a bronze in the women’s triathlon before Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson claimed bronze in the 10m Synchro event in front of Spondolini-Sirieix’s famous father.
Alex Yee staged a phenomenal comeback to come from 15 seconds down, fighting for silver to overtake New Zealand’s Wilde and claim the gold.
Moments later over at the rowing, the women’s quadruple sculls made up of Lauren Henry, Lola Anderson, Hannah Scott and Georgia Brayshaw claimed gold after a photo finish. They had been behind the Netherlands the whole way and looked like they’d left it too late 200m from the line but it was a fantastic win for the four girls.
In the afternoon, Keiran Reilly added to the medal tally in the BMX Freestyle as he put down two spectacular runs to claim a silver medal.
As it stands, Team GB are on 17 medals, one ahead of where they were at the end of day five in Tokyo.
By day five in Rio 2016, Team GB only had 12 medals but went on to record their highest ever overseas medal tally of 67. Meanwhile, in London we only had three medals at this stage in the games.
Before the Opening Ceremony got underway, Team GB had already set targets for their athletes.
The initial target was set between 50 and 70 medals in total and a top five finish in the medal table. Analysts Gracenote predict a total of 63 medals, placing third or fourth in the medal table behind the United States, China and potentially hosts France.
Team GB made its selections based on athletes it expected to finish in the top eight.
A lot is riding on Keely Hodgkinson who is fast becoming the poster girl of the games for the Brits.
She secured silver in Tokyo at just 19 years of age. She then followed this up with European gold in 2022 and 2024. She won silver at the last two World Championships and set a new British record at the London Diamond League meeting last weekend.
She is in action on Monday, August 5.
Flag bearer, Helen Glover, is expected to medal. The 38-year-old is competing at her fourth Olympic Games and has won gold twice previously.
She did not medal at the last Olympics after coming out of retirement but is part of a women’s four that has gone unbeaten in 2024. They are in action on Thursday, August 1.
Of course, there are some notable absentees due to retirement or injury including British cyclist Katie Archibald who is sitting out of these Olympics due to a freak gardening accident which resulted in her breaking her leg.
Dame Laura Kenny will be in Paris but on pundit duty after she announced her retirement earlier this year. However, British Cycling is still thriving, and much is expected of 21-year-old Emma Finucane who is competing in the women’s sprint, keirin and team sprint.
Her quest for gold begins on August 5.
But Team GB will no doubt be measuring their success against their performance at previous Olympics.
In Tokyo, Team GB won 65 medals – 22 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze finishing fourth in the medal table but whilst it was their lowest finish since 2008, Tokyo was Great Britain’s second-best overseas games behind Rio 2016.
In Rio, Team GB won 67 medals – 27 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze and finished second in the medal table – a higher haul than at London 2012 where the hosts bagged 65 medals in total and finished third overall.
Will they be able to surprise the analysts and beat their best-ever overseas medal haul of 67?
Daily updates to follow.
