Eyes on Florence as he chases canoe slalom glory
Britain’s main gold medal hopes will lie in the hands of the world’s number one ranked canoe salalomist, David Florence.
The 29-year-old Scot, who competes at 3.06pm, had a slightly nervy route into the C1 semi-finals at the weekend. Florence qualified for the semi finals, which also take place today, after coming 13th out of 17 canoeists in his first run, but fifth in his second run.
In June he was the first man ever to win two gold medals at a Canoe Slalom World Cup across two classes. Florence won the C1 event and teamed up with his doubles partner Richard Hounslow for a second gold.
Yesterday, Florence and Hounslow made it to the semi-final of the Olympic doubles contest, as did British pair Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott.
Chasing medals
Also competing for medals today are British athletes in diving, judo, equestrian eventing, artistic gymnastics, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.
Equestrian individual and team eventing will see Zara Phillips in her second day of action, as well as medal hopeful William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Kristina Cook and Nicola Wilson.
In artistic gymnastics Team GB’s women’s team, led by Beth Tweddle, will hope they can replicate the success of the men who won their first team medal since 1912 in a dramatic final on Monday.
Reigning European champions in the female 10m synchronised diving, Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow, will hope to better the result of their male counterparts, Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield, when they compete in the final at 3pm.
Euan Burton, the 33-year-old judo contender, will have a formidable task taking on world champion Kim Jae-bum in the 81kg category. Also competing in judo tomorrow in the women’s 63kg category is Gemma Howell.
In fencing James Davis, Richard Kruse and Husayn Rosowsky will be in action for Great Britain, whilst Richard Brickell and Rory Warlow will be pursuing medals in the shooting.
Gareth Evans will also be competing in the men’s 69kg weight category weightlifting.
