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In an otherwise disappointing Tokyo Games for British Rowing, the men's quadruple sculls' silver medal win was a standout moment.

It was the first time Britain had won a medal in the boat class.

Tom Barras was part of the boat back then and returns in Paris - alongside fellow former Wales ±«Óãtv Countries sculling champion Graeme Thomas. Barras credits his desire to challenge for Olympic gold as the main reason he stayed in the boat for another three years.

"This is a phenomenally powerful boat I'm in. I want to push the top boats as hard as I can and if we get it right, we can win," he said.

The men's quad begin competing at 11:30 BST on Saturday, 27 July, and will be hoping to race for gold at 11:02 BST on Wednesday, 31July.

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Anyone who remembers watching Sir Steve Redgrave's historic fifth Olympic rowing gold at Sydney 2000 will know how iconic the Great Britain men's four is.

Matt Aldridge, 28, is part of the boat in Paris - and they look on course for more history.

Aldridge, who is Welsh-qualified through his grandmother, and team-mates Oli Wilkes, David Ambler and Freddie Davidson are the reigning world champions and finished the 2024 season unbeaten.

The GB men's four boat looks like the one to beat in Paris.

"Great Britain know how to make a four go very quickly," said Aldridge.

"I think we make a bigger sum than our parts. We don't have the ego - we just get it done."

The men's four heats begin at 11:50 BST on Sunday, 28 July, with the final taking place at 10:06 BST on Thursday, 1 August.

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Sarah Jones was one of GB's star performers on their way to Olympic bronze in Tokyo.

She held her nerve to score a brilliant shootout penalty against Spain in the quarter-final, with GB going on to beat India in a 4-3 thriller to secure the bronze.

Results have not been as good as the team would have wanted since but, after that historic gold at Rio 2016, the GB women's team have proved they can rise to the biggest occasion.

Jones said: "With Tokyo it was such a different experience, due to Covid, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere and buzz of Paris."

The GB women get started against Spain at 12:15 BST on Sunday, 28 July.

Matthew Henry
±«Óãtv Sport Journalist in Paris

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Tom Daley has been speaking about the diving competition at Paris 2024 and the prospect of trying to beat the Chinese swimmers to gold, as he did in Tokyo.

I cannot work out whether Daley's comments are innocent or if he is trying to throw down the gauntlet to China and ramp up the pressure.

The context is that China have won seven out of eight diving golds at each of the past two Olympics.

"The Chinese diving team is the strongest diving nation unquestionably," said Daley, who will compete in the 10m platform event with Noah Williams.

"On paper you would consider them to win every single event but it is the Olympic Games.

"I know every single one of the Chinese divers knows it is their competition to lose, which brings a lot pressure and expectation.

"You go into a competition with a different mindset if you know you could and should win."

Here's what Andy Murray had to say after his decision to pull out of the singles competition at the Olympics.

Murray will still compete in the doubles with fellow Briton Dan Evans.

"I’ve take the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan," a statement from Murray read.

"Our practice has been great and we’re playing well together.

"Really looking forward to getting started and representing GB one more time."

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Back in 2020, Rupert Shipperley quit his job as a geography teacher to train with Great Britain and pursue his dream of going to an Olympics - but within weeks the Tokyo Games had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shipperley used the delay to his advantage, establishing himself on the GB programme, and his Olympic dream came true.

He can now boast 48 caps for Great Britain and 106 for Wales and will be hoping for some silverware in Paris this summer.

Shipperley said: "I'm incredibly honoured to be selected for my second Olympics. We hope to showcase our sport to the world and, as a team, we have high expectations. I can't wait to get started."

The GB men's hockey team get their campaign under way on Saturday, 27 July with a pool A match against Spain.

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Gareth Furlong may have been a late bloomer on the GB programme, but he has long been a legend in Welsh hockey circles - and literally in opposition defensive circles, if you've seen his drag flicks.

His tally of 148 caps for Wales puts him in a very select group of people to represent the nation so often.

He scored on his GB debut in June and will now hope to fire them to their first Olympic gold since 1988.

"There are five or six really competitive sides there but we definitely want to be on the podium at the end of the Games," he said.

Team GB's men's hockey side begin their campaign against Spain on Saturday, 27 July.

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It is rare for a 21-year-old to be making their Olympic debut with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, but Emma Finucane is no ordinary 21-year-old.

The sprint cyclist from Carmarthen is already a world champion and European champion and on her day is the undisputed best.

She is in contention to challenge for three golds in Paris, though a lot can happen in track sprinting. Either way, it should be box office.

"I'm driven by being successful and winning Olympic gold medals," Finucane said.

Finucane's schedule begins with the women's team sprint, which kicks off the track cycling programme on Monday, 5 August.