Women’s high jump and basketball finals, along with the men’s football final, are among the upcoming highlights. Graham Caygill picks five must see events on Day 15. Note, all times UAE.
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Women’s high jump final
The women’s high jump is one of the highlights of the final full day of athletics. Spaniard Ruth Beitia is the favourite among the 17 women who qualified from Thursday’s session for the final that begins at 3.30am UAE time. Beitia has already won the European title this year and led the way in qualifying at Rio 2016 with 1.94-metre jump.
Women’s basketball final
The United States will again look to the inspiration of Diana Taurasi when they go for gold in the women’s final against Spain at 10.30pm. Taurasi top-scored in the US’s quarter-final and semi-final victories during the week and will be key to their bid to win the competition for a sixth successive time.
Men’s javelin final
Keshorn Walcott caused one of the biggest surprises at the London 2012 Games when he won the javelin competition. The Trinidadian became the first Caribbean athlete to win gold in an Olympic throwing event, and he is favourite to repeat the feat in this final, which starts at 3.55am. He topped qualification on Wednesday with a throw of 88.68m.
Women’s triathlon
After the Brownlee brothers dominated the men’s event, it is the women triathletes who take centre stage, with their gruelling race starting at 6pm. American double world champion Gwen Jorgensen is favourite to prevail but will face a tough challenge from London 2012’s victor Nicola Spirig of Switzerland.
Men’s 5,000m final
British runner Mo Farah will attempt to become only the second man, after Finland’s Lasse Viren in 1972 and 1976, to complete a back-to-back double of winning the 5,000m and 10,000m at successive Olympic Games. Farah won both titles at London 2012 and he retained his 10,000m title last Saturday. The race begins at 5.25am.
