Five things for Canadians to watch at Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, July 27

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This article was published 25/07/2021 (1508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TOKYO – From the Olympic debut of a Canadian diving tandem to the next step in the men’s rugby sevens team’s long road to Japan, here are five things to watch Tuesday at the Tokyo Olympics.

In sync: A decorated diver and a new partner

Veteran diver Meaghan Benfeito of Laval, Que., and her partner 10 years her junior, Calgary’s Caeli McKay, are medal threats in the 10-metre platform synchronized competition. Benfeito and former partner Roseline Filion won Olympic bronze medals together in both 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. While Benfeito said it was originally hard to take on a new partner after Filion retired, she says she and McKay have a strong chemistry. Benfeito, 32, and McKay, 22, won an Olympic test event in May at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre.

Canada and Britain clash in big women’s soccer showdown

Top spot in Group E of the women’s soccer tournament, and a more favourable draw in the quarterfinal, is up for grabs when Canada takes on Britain. The British women enter the match with two wins, while Canada opened with a draw against Japan before rebounding with a win over Chile. Canada is going for its third straight Olympic medal after taking bronze at the previous two Games. The last time these teams met on the Olympic stage, Canada overcame a hostile home crowd to blank Britain 2-0 in the quarterfinal of the 2012 London Games.

After tough loss to hosts, Canada still has softball podium hopes

Canada’s softball team will try for its first ever Olympic medal when it takes on Mexico in the bronze-medal game at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Canada was denied a shot at the championship game after a tough 1-0 extra-inning loss to host Japan on Sunday. While playing for bronze might not be what the third-ranked Canadians had in mind when heading to the Olympics, it will help put coming up short at the 2008 Beijing Games out of mind. Canada lost to Australia in the semifinal the last time softball was contested in the Olympics. Canada beat Mexico 4-0 last week in the preliminary round.

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Four gold medals up for grabs in the pool

Swimming competition continues Tuesday with four finals as part of the roster of events in the pool. One to watch in the women’s 100-metre backstroke is Kylie Masse of LaSalle, Ont., who qualified out of Monday’s semifinals. She won her qualifying heat Sunday in an Olympic record time of 58.17 seconds — only to see that record get broken in each of the next two heats.

Canadians go cross-country

A pair of Canadian cyclists will take part in the women’s mountain bike cross-country race. Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, B.C, and Haley Smith of Uxbrige, Ont., will tackle the off-road course in Izu City. Pendrel took bronze in the event at the 2016 Rio Games.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2021.