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Rio Olympics 2016: James Magnussen’s sad Olympic Games admission

The swimmer's gold medal chances might be over.

The swimmer's gold medal chances might be over. Photo: Getty

Australian swimmer James Magnussen has come to the upsetting realisation that his chances of winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games are probably over.

Remember the build-up to the 2012 London Games? It was all about ‘The Missile’ and how he was set to win us gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle events. He was pretty confident, too.

Unfortunately, success did not transpire, with Nathan Adrian of the United States edging him by one-hundredth of a second in a thrilling 100m final.

Magnussen – who won a bronze with Australia in the 4x100m medley relay at London – was part of the team that came third in Monday’s 4x100m freestyle relay.

“If I never get an Olympic gold medal then I can live with myself, knowing I’ve given everything I can in my swimming career,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Never even as a child did I think I’d be a professional swimmer, let alone swim at an Olympics, let alone have three Olympic medals.”

Del Potro: ‘This is not football’

Juan Martin del Potro’s tennis match against Portugal’s Joao Sousa had to be momentarily delayed as fans punched each other in a wild crowd fight.

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Fans were angry. Photo: Getty

Del Potro was backed by many of his Argentinian compatriots, who sung loudly and proudly. That annoyed the largely Brazilian crowd, who began supporting Sousa, and tensions quickly spilled over.

An angry del Potro said afterwards: “We need to have peace between Argentina and Brazil. This is not football.”

Sorry, China, but there’s no apology

China are still demanding Mack Horton says sorry after he branded Sun Yang a “drug cheat” before his success in the men’s 400m freestyle final on Sunday.

The fallout in China has been big but Australian Olympic Committee chef de mission Kitty Chiller said: “We have no intention of making an apology.”

Case closed.

Aussies headed for equestrian gold

There’s a pretty good chance plenty of us will be equestrian experts by lunch time.

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Chris Burton is tipped to win gold. Photo: Getty

Why? Because Australia looks a chance to win not one gold, but two, on the final day of eventing in Rio. Chris Burton leads the individual rankings – and we’re top of the teams event, just in front of New Zealand.

We actually do have an equestrian expert at The New Daily, with our very own Emily Hirst saying: “Chris’ dressage round was pretty great.

“He basically has to get a clear round to get gold – so he can’t hit a fence or go over time. But it’s pretty achievable. If he rides clear, he should win.”

Photo of the day

Volunteer Marjorie Enya proposed to Brazil rugby sevens player Isadora Cerullo after Tuesday’s final, won by Australia.

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She said yes. Photo: Getty

Another day, more Rio crime

Today’s episode of crime in Rio saw a bullet tear through the roof of a press facility at the equestrian centre.

“Our hypothesis is that someone who felt they were being filmed and observed made the shot,” defence minister Raul Jungmann said.

Sponsor on the brain?

We’re pretty sure the Aussies were playing Switzerland – and not a multivitamin brand.

swisse

Wild celebrations at … the judo

Only at an Olympic Games could success in the judo send a crowd completely wild.

At the ‘Carioca 2’, hundreds of Brazilians were delirious after Rafaela Silva triumphed in the women’s 57kg judo to claim the gold medal.

“I love competing at home, because of the fans. Their cheering helps me a lot,” Silva said afterwards.

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The fans went wild. Photo: Getty

Payback is a bitch, Paddy

Remember Paddy Barnes? He’s the Irish flagbearer who likes winding up golfing star Rory McIlroy.

Barnes sent the Northern Irishman a photo of his ex-girlfriend, former world No.1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, and himself.

Screen Shot 2016-08-09 at 2.52.40 pm

McIlroy took days to respond but appeared to try and defuse the situation when he sent Barnes a good luck message.

Unfortunately for Barnes – a bronze medallist in Beijing and London and one of the favourites for gold in Brazil – he was stunned by Spain’s Samuel Carmona on Tuesday (AEST).

What to watch on Wednesday

For those up early, the end stages of the individual eventing in the equestrian might bring about an Aussie gold medal.

The Matildas play a crucial game at 5am (AEST), with victory against Zimbabwe essential to reach the knockout stages of the women’s football tournament.

Emma McKeon is our best hope in the swimming and races in the women’s 200m freestyle final at 11.19am (AEST). Our men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team are an outside chance, too, an hour and 19 minutes later.

The pick of the bunch:

3am: Equestrian – individual eventing
5am: Women’s Football – Australia v Zimbabwe
5am: Men’s Rugby Sevens – Australia v Spain
9.30am: Men’s Hockey – Australia v Belgium
11.19am: Swimming – women’s 200m freestyle
11.28am: Swimming – men’s 200m butterfly
12.29pm: Swimming – women’s 200m individual medley
12.38pm: Swimming – men’s 4x200m freestyle relay

The Rio Report will be published each day of the 2016 Olympic Games.

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