What to watch for - Day 7

The swimming program may have three days to go but from Friday, Day 7, the swimmers have a bit more competition for the spotlight, with both athletics and track cycling getting underway.

At the Bird’s Nest, the men’s shot put is the first medal event, and both Aussies, Scott Martin and Justin Anlezark, will be looking for a spot in the final, for a start.

Also look out for junior world champion Dani Samuels in the women’s discuss, Donna McFarlane and Victoria Mitchell in the 3000m steeplechase, Kylie Wheeler starting the heptathlon, Tamsyn Lewis and Madelaine Pape in the heats of the 800m and Mitch Kealey and Jeff Riseley in the 1500m.

At the velodrome, Shane Kelly – at his fifth Olympics – Mark French, Dan Ellis and dual Athens gold medallist Ryan Bayley take aim at the first of the 10 medals on offer. That’s in the team sprint, an event Australia came fourth in at Athens.

There’s also Athens silver medallist Katie Mactier in the qualifying round of the women’s individual pursuit while Brad McGee starts his bid for a piece of Olympic history in the men’s. If he can add to his five track cycling medals in either the individual or team pursuit, he will become just the second rider with six, with a medal in each event, the first to seven.

Despite all that, Aussies won’t be taking their focus off the pool, where Libby Trickett and Leisel Jones will each be aiming for a second gold medal of the Games, Trickett in the final of the 100 metres freestyle and Jones in the 200 breaststroke.

Hayden Stoeckel will take a shot at bettering his 100 metre bronze when he jumps in for the 200 metre backstroke final while Eamon Sullivan and Ashley Callus will swim in a semi of the 50m freestyle, and in the evening session, Grant Hackett and Craig Stevens have their 1500m heat swims.

For gymnastics fans, the women’s individual all-around final is on, and watch for Chantelle Newbery and Sharleen Stratton in the women’s 3m springboard diving - although it’s only the preliminary round with the final not until Sunday.

In softball, Australia takes on Chinese Taipei, in women’s basketball the Opals face Latvia, in women’s water polo the opponent is the Netherlands and in men’s hockey, Pakistan.

There’s also action in tennis, boxing, judo, rowing and sailing – the latter two having suffered weather interruptions on Day 6, with lightning at the rowing venue and not enough wind for sailing at Qingdao.

Last but not least, there are three men’s shooting events, with veteran Bruce Quick in the 25m rapid fire pistol, George Barton and Paul Rahman in the skeet and Ben Burge and Warren Potent in the 50m rifle prone.