Every Olympic Event You Don’t Want to Miss This Week

AUSTRALIA HAS about the best possible start to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Games begin with the country’s best opening day in Olympic history – with three gold medals and two silvers – and followed by another gold medal effort from flag bearer Jess Fox, Australia currently sits second on the medal table after two days of competition. The fun isn’t over yet, though.

The Olympic schedule is a relentless beast. Fall asleep too early and you’ll miss a historic gold medal, watch one sport too long and you’ll be completely unaware of a new world record in another. The onslaught won’t stop and Australia is in for a huge week, where we expect the medals to keep rolling in.

As most Australians will know by now after a weekend of late nights and early mornings, the Olympic event schedule was noticeably out of sync with our time zone. Which is why selecting which events to watch is an important task. You don’t want to commit to getting up at 3am unless it’s worth it, but you also don’t want to risk missing a magical moment.

To put your mind at ease, we’ve handpicked this week’s highlights so you can focus on the events that matter. All dates and times are in AEST. Don’t lose too much sleep.

Monday evening July 29

Men’s Hockey, Australia vs Ireland – 6:00pm

The Kookaburras will be hoping to continue their winning start in the group stage.

Women’s Basketball, Australia vs Nigeria – 7:00 PM

The Opals begin their Olympic campaign.

Diving, Men’s 10m Platform Synchronized Final – 7:00 PM

Equestrian, Team Eventing Final – 7:00 PM

Tennis, Singles Second Round – 8:00 PM

World number one Iga Swiatek continues her path to gold, while Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic meet for perhaps the last time.

Women’s Rugby Sevens, Australia vs Ireland – 10:30pm

Tuesday morning July 30th

Women’s hockey, Australia vs. Great Britain – 01:00

The Hockeyroos won their first group match against South Africa 2-1.

Skateboarding, Men’s Street Finals – 01:00 am

Men’s Surfing Round Three – 03:00

Australian surfer Ethan Ewing has already qualified for the knockout stages, and Jack Robinson can match him by winning his second heat.

Swimming, Women’s 400m Medley Final – 04:30am

Canadian teenager Summer McIntosh is expected to win her first Olympic gold medal.

Swimming, Men’s 200m Freestyle Final – 4:40pm

Tasmanian Max Giuliani has a chance of a medal as he qualifies for the final with the fifth fastest time.

Swimming, Women’s 200m Freestyle Final – 5:41 p.m.

Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan will compete in this highly anticipated competition that could go down in history as one of the greatest swimming competitions of all time.

Beach Volleyball, Australia vs. USA – 06:00 am

Tokyo Games silver medalists Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy begin their battle for victory against a tough opponent.

Women’s Surfing, Round Three – 8:00am

Australia’s medal contender Molly Picklum has already been eliminated, but former world champion Tyler Wright still has a chance.

Tuesday evening July 30th

Men’s Triathlon – 4:00pm

Matt Hauser has a real shot at a gold medal and will undoubtedly finish at the front of the pack

Men’s Water Polo, Australia vs Serbia – 6:30pm

Men’s Basketball, Australia vs Canada – 9:30pm

The Boomers will face a Canadian team loaded with NBA talent as they battle for a spot in the knockout stages.

Shooting, Men’s Trapezius Final – 11:30pm

James Willett is probably Australia’s best chance to win a shooting medal, and he is going for gold in this event.

Wednesday morning, July 31st

Artistic Gymnastics, Women’s Team Final – 02:15 am

Can Simone Biles lead the US to another gold medal?

Men’s Surfing, Quarter Finals – 03:00 am

Men’s Hockey, Australia vs. Belgium – 03:45

Women’s Rugby Sevens Gold Medal Match – 03:45am

If the women’s team seven advances to the knockout stage, they will play for gold in this match.

Swimming, Women’s 100m Backstroke Final – 04:56 hrs

Kaylee McKeown will attempt to regain her world record in this event, which was broken earlier this month by American Regan Smith.

Swimming, Men’s 800m Freestyle Final – 05:02 hrs

Sam Short came fourth in the 400m freestyle, just missing out on a medal. He gets another chance here.

Women’s Surfing, Quarter Finals – 05:24 am

Swimming, Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay – 06:01 hrs

Men’s Surfing Semi-Finals – 07:48am

Women’s Surfing Semi-Finals – 9:00am

Men’s Surfing Gold Medal Competition – 11:34am

Women’s Surfing Gold Medal Competition – 12:15pm

Wednesday evening July 31st

Women’s Triathlon – 4:00pm

BMX Freestyle Women Final – 21:15 hrs

Natalya Diehm finished fifth at this event in Tokyo and is hoping for a medal.

Women’s hockey, Australia vs. USA – 9:15 PM

Women’s Water Polo, Australia vs Netherlands – 10:00pm

BMX Freestyle Men Final – 10:44pm

Three years ago, Logan Martin became the first-ever gold medalist in this event for men at the Olympics, and now he is back to defend his title.

Shooting, Women’s Trap Final – 11:30pm

Thursday morning August 1st

K1 women’s slalom final – 1:25 p.m.

Flag bearer Jess Fox has already won gold at these Games, but she can add another gold to her tally on Thursday morning.

Women’s Soccer, Australia vs. USA – 03:00 am

It’s make or break for the Matildas, who need a good result here to secure a place in the knockout rounds, depending on how games in other groups pan out.

Swimming, Women’s 100m Freestyle Final – 04:30 am

If she misses out on the gold medal in the 200m freestyle, expect Mollie O’Callaghan to be even more motivated for this event.

Swimming, Women’s 1500m Freestyle Final – 05:07 am

No one can match Katie Ledecky here, but Australia’s Lani Pallister can take a medal.

Swimming, Men’s 200m Breaststroke Final – 06:15 am

Zac Stubblety-Cook won gold at this event in Tokyo and is in contention for a second straight victory.

Swimming, Men’s 100m Freestyle Final – 06:22 am

Kyle Chalmers has won Olympic gold and silver in the 100m freestyle and there is a good chance he can add to his list of honours.

Thursday evening August 1st

Men’s Golf, Individual Opening Round – 5:00 PM

20km Women’s Race Walk – 5:20pm

Last year, Jemima Montag finished second at the World Championships in this event.

Men’s Hockey, Australia vs. New Zealand – 6:30pm

Rowing, Women’s Double Sculls Final – 6:30pm

The Australian duo posted the third fastest time in the heats and look set to challenge for medals.

Rowing, men’s fours – 7:06 p.m.

Women’s Basketball, Australia vs Canada – 9:30pm

Sailing, Men’s Skiff Medal Race – 10:43 p.m.

Men’s Water Polo, Australia vs. France – 11:00pm

Sailing, Women’s Skiff Medal Race – 23:43 hrs

Friday morning August 2nd

Women’s Beach Volleyball, Australia vs Canada – 12:00 PM

Artistic Gymnastics, Women’s All-Around Final – 02:15 am

Simone Biles can confirm her reputation as the best American gymnast with a gold medal.

Women’s Hockey, Australia vs Argentina – 04:15am

Swimming, Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay Final – 05:49 am

With the two fastest 200m swimmers in the world on the team, Titmus and O’Callaghan, this is almost certain to be an Australian gold medal.

Friday evening August 2nd

Men’s Golf, Individual Round 2 – 5:00 PM

Rowing, Women’s Singles-Skiff Final – 5:42pm

Tara Rigney goes for gold after setting the second fastest time in the heats.

Rowing, Women’s Pair Final – 6:54 p.m.

The Australian duo set the fastest time in the heats and are hoping for gold.

Men’s Hockey, Australia vs. India – 9:15pm

The Kookaburras close out the group stage with a heavyweight clash.

Men’s Basketball, Australia vs. Greece – 9:30pm

This match could determine whether the Boomers reach the quarterfinals.

Women’s Water Polo, Australia vs Canada – 10:00pm

Sailing, Men’s Windsurfing Final – 10:23pm

Related:

Full Olympic predictions: Every Australian we think will win a medal in Paris

The 15 Greatest Australian Olympic Moments of All Time