Paris Olympics: Five things to watch at the Games on Thursday

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MARATHON SWIM

Edmonton’s Emma Finlin is scheduled to compete in the women’s marathon swimming event in the morning as concerns swirl over the Seine River’s water quality. A test run meant to allow Olympic athletes to familiarize themselves with the 10-kilometre course, which is supposed to start and finish at Pont Alexandre III, was cancelled Tuesday amid fluctuating bacteria levels in the long-polluted waterway.

RELAYS AT THE TRACK

The much anticipated men’s and women’s 4x100-metre relay competitions get under way. Up first is Canada’s women’s squad racing in the second heat at Stade de France. They’ll be followed by the men’s quartet who are also competing in Heat 2. The men won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics led by star sprinter Andre De Grasse.

HOPING TO LIFT A MEDAL

Maude Charron of Rimouski, Que. is vying to build on her performance in Tokyo where she captured weightlifting gold in the women’s 64-kilogram division. With that event removed from the Olympics this time around, Charron is set to compete in the 59-kilogram category. Charron was one of Canada’s flag-bearers, along with sprinter Andre De Grasse, at the Paris opening ceremonies.

KAYAK SEMIS

Canada will seek to qualify for the Olympic final in both men’s and women’s kayak four. The women’s 500-metre semi-final is up first, where the Canadians will try to be among the two fastest against Serbia, Australia and Norway. In the men’s category, Canada’s heat will also feature Ukraine, Australia, Spain and Serbia, with the fastest four qualifying for the final.

HURDLE FINALS

Saskatoon’s Savannah Sutherland carries Canada’s medal hopes in the women’s 400-metre hurdles final. The 21-year-old was one of two non-automatic qualifiers with a time of 53.80 seconds to finish fourth in the third semi-final heat on Tuesday.