It is after 9am in Rio de Janeiro and I realise my slightly late start might cost me.

I’m trying to attend 10 Olympic Games events in one day – can it be done? Is it fun? My media pass makes the task possible – but I’m going as a fan today.

There’s a catch, too, which means I have to spend at least 15 minutes at each one. I hope the public transport system is up to scratch…

9:15am
So, we’re underway. My day starts at the fencing. It’s quite a spectacle, too, with four duels going on simultaneously on the floodlit stages.

A Hungarian fencer – taking on a Russian – disputes several calls from an official and, at one point, stops the duel to continue arguing. He’s given a yellow card, and eventually loses 15-10.

10:00am
Judo is the next stop. I’ve never watched it on television, but it is fairly engaging live.

I stay for three bouts, with a fight between a Brazilian and a South African the most enjoyable, with a small group of local fans creating a tremendous atmosphere.

11:00am
No matter where you are in the world – from Milan to Melbourne – Rafa Nadal draws a crowd. It’s the same in Rio. As I arrive at the tennis arena there’s a sudden rush of fans towards the players entrance.

Fans were robbed of a chance to watch Nadal. Photo: Getty

Soon afterwards the Spaniard emerges for a practice session, with coach Toni not far behind. The presence of tennis at the Olympics isn’t universally popular among traditionalists, but there is no doubting its popularity, with large crowds streaming in. Unfortunately, misty rain begins to fall and all matches are postponed.

11.15am
I decide to seek an early lunch but it’s complicated. After queuing, I order a salad – but they have run out of forks and spoons.

Pasta is available but will take 20 minutes, so I settle for a chicken roll.

11.45am
Wrestling is just across the Olympic arena. But I don’t get it, or don’t get the appeal.

I probably need to brush up on the rules and finer details, but once my 15 minutes is up, I’m venturing elsewhere.

12:30pm
After taking the wrong bus – the giant Olympic park at Barra has continuous internal shuttles – I eventually arrive for the second half of a handball match between Romania and Montenegro.

Handball is a fierce affair. Photo: Getty

Montenegro has the height advantage – with five players over 1.82m tall compared with just two on the opposition – but the deception and speed of the Romanians is too much, and they prevail 25-21.

1:15pm
It’s time for a brief break. It’s going to be a busy afternoon and evening.

2:00pm
I’m back at the Carioca Arena for my first taste of basketball. France – with Tony Parker among several other NBA stars – are taking on the always powerful Serbian team and it’s a beauty.

I realise it’s only my sixth event of the day, but I stay until it’s over. It’s a compelling match and France prevail 76-75.

4:15pm
I’ve picked a good day to attend the gymnastics, with Japanese legend Kohei Uchimura in action in the men’s all round final. Uchimura holds his nerve well to overhaul Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev on the last apparatus.

Uchimura wins gold. Photo: Getty

The personal highlight comes afterwards though, as legendary Ukraine pole vaulter Sergei Bubka provides the ultimate ‘Don’t you know who I am’ moment, storming past security officials to speak with Verniaiev. I’m glad I stayed around to see it, even if I’m still on seven events.

6:30pm
I’m a water polo novice, but it’s a great spectacle, as host nation Brazil take on Serbia. I’m tempted to leave – only because of the fact getting to 10 events is now unlikely – but it’s a match in which the momentum keeps swinging.

It’s also curious to see, with the reserve goal keepers spending the entire match draped in luxury dressing gowns and coaches giving their team talks on the edge of the pool. Brazil triumph 6-5.

10:00pm
I have conceded defeat – and will settle for nine events – because there’s no way I’m missing the swimming, even if Michael Phelps is not in action.

Australian Kyle Chambers is super impressive on his way to gold in the 100m freestyle, coming from nowhere to win. It’s been a long day. But seeing Chalmers win is a great way to finish.

Michael Burgess will write from Rio de Janeiro throughout the 2016 Olympic Games.