The Australian Opals thrilled the country by sneaking into the Tokyo Olympics quarter-finals defeating Puerto Rico by 27 points and now they face the might of the United State of America from 2:40pm AEST.
The USA will start as obvious favourites in the quarter-final game but the Australian team will have a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality after it looked like their Olympic dream might be done halfway through the Puerto Rico matchup.
The two sides last met in an Olympics back in London when the USA beat Australia in the semi-finals. The Opals finished with bronze. Of course, to have a chance of winning a medal here they need to beat the powerhouse.
After the Opals game there’s still plenty to look forward to for the rest of Day 12 with another huge night of athletics.
Australia’s Peter Bol looks to be a medal chance in the 800m final after his impressive win in the semi-final.
There’s also the 200m final when all eyes will be on teenager Erriyon Knighton to see if he can be just as confident in the final as he was in his semi-final.
The 17-year-old has been compared to Usain Bolt and he has big shoes to fill tonight.
We’ll keep you updated in our rolling blog before we roll into a massive Thursday with Matildas, Boomers and Kookaburras in action tomorrow!
Tony Harper
Editor
Goodnight guys. Try get some sleep @JGK
JGK
Roar Guru
5 under 20 seconds! Is it clear that Knighton will be back? He can make way more money in NFL. I guess Paris is only 3 years away and he’ll only be 20 so plenty of time for 2 careers.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yeah. I though Bol needed someone else to take it out faster. Shame we didn’t have 2 in the final and run as a team like the Africans do. Maybe we’ll get something like that in the two 1500m finals.
Tony Harper
Editor
He won in 19.62. Bednarak and Lyles of US in silver and bronze. The 17 year old Erriyon Knighton was 4th. He will be back! Here is the full result
Tony Harper
Editor
GOLD DE GRASSE OF CANADA
Tony Harper
Editor
The 200m coming up… Have been bashing out a couple of yarns in the lead up. Here’s an update on Gen Gregson And here’s one on the Bol race
Tony Harper
Editor
Times never really a guide in a championship final. The Kenyans would have liked it even slower and relied on the kick. It's a tactical battle and that's why Bol tried to drag them along faster. Love the 800!
JGK
Roar Guru
What do we make of the slow times in that final. Was it just how the race was run?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Super bad luck. Still did great.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
He did a top job. Awesome for him and the sport. What a star
Tony Harper
Editor
Gen has confirmed the Achilles rupture. :crying:
Tony Harper
Editor
Tamsyn Manou said: "What a fabulous run, he had to do all the work, had to be brave and he did everything right there." Bruce McAveny said: "We're all so proud of him, you have to do one thing at this level - give yourself a chance and Peter Bol did that tonight." Bol said: "The regret is the last 100 tightening up a bit. I tried to win it. "I'd be lying if I said I was happy right now. The goal was to win. "I knew one thing for certain, the whole of Australia was watching me and that carried me on. "I'm grateful to Australia and thankful to everyone in Australia. To inspire the whole nation that was the goal."
Tony Harper
Editor
Peter Bol in fourth. He really had a crack at that, just fading down the straight as they hit on the turn for the final 100 metres.
Tony Harper
Editor
Channel 7 reporting it's a ruptured Achilles for Gen. Sorry, but that just plain sucks. Awful, awful injury that leaves her career in doubt. Peter Bol up at the start line of the 800m now.
Tony Harper
Editor
Gen was slipping back in the field on the final lap when she fell face first at the water jump. As photographers moved in, well ahead of medics, she cluthced her achilles - an area where she's had issues before. She was lifted onto a wheelchair and taken away for medical attention holding her head in her hands. The gold medal was won by Uganda's Peruth Chemutai who ran down American Courtney Frerichs on the final lap.
Tony Harper
Editor
10.05pm AEST
Tm
Guest
When does Bol run?
Tony Harper
Editor
Horrible
Tony Harper
Editor
Tony Harper
Editor
Let’s hope it is cramp, as Tasmyn Manou suggests and not something more serious. Will be such a disappointing exit for such an upbeat person. Her reaction is gutting.