We’re getting close to the last few predictions. In this post, we’ll be looking at diving and artistic swimming (formally known as synchronised swimming).
Diving
So, first, a confession – in all the excitement of the first two days of the Games, I didn’t notice that the first Diving Gold – the Women’s 3m springboard synchro – was being handed out on day 2. Which means that it has already happened. Oops.
That being said, I’ve still included it, as I made the actual predictions a few days ago. You’ll have to just believe me on this. In reality, it was one of the easier predictions to make. China were a clear favourite and Canada almost as clear a favourite for silver. It was only bronze that was up for grabs in my mind and, as you can see, that’s the one I got wrong.
In fact, China could well sweep the top of the podium in all 8 of the diving events. At the last 2 Olympics they have won 7 of 8 each time. They will fancy their chances of going one better this time. That being said, there are a few events where that might not happen. Great Britain are the defending Olympic champions in the Men’s 3m synchro and one half of that team – Jack Laugher – returns to defend that crown. Tom Daley also has a chance in the 10m platform. If the Chinese divers are slightly below their best, there are individuals from several countries waiting to take their chance.
Artistic Swimming
There are just two events at the Games in artistic swimming – the duet and the team event – and they are likely to be two of the easier events to predict. The ROC are likely to win both, China are likely to get Silver in both, and Ukraine the bronze in both. That has been the case in most previous World Championships and Olympic Games and there’s no real reason to suspect otherwise this time out.
So, that’s almost all the predictions done. All that remains to do are athletics and wrestling. Neither of those events take place until next weekend, so I can enjoy a few prediction-less days (and so can you)!
Ian's World Of Sports 