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Kirani James Sets For 400m Outing At 2018 Aliann Pompey Invitational

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Kirani James will continue his return from injury when he lines up in the men’s 400m dash at the 2018 Aliann Pompey Invitational in Guyana, this coming weekend (30) at Leonora Track and Field Centre.

James, the 2012 Olympic champion from London, is set to make his first showing in Guyana, and his second appearance of the season.

He opened his season with a winning performance at the 2018 JN Racers Grand Prix, earlier this month.

The quarter-miler from Grenada has a season best of 44.35 seconds, his fastest time since 2016, after his season was cut short last year due to injury.

The 25-year-old is hoping to continue his progress towards full recovery ahead of next year’s IAAF World Championships where he will be aiming to add to the gold he won in 2011 and the bronze in 2015.

James owns a personal best of 43.74 seconds, set in Lausanne in July 2014, which puts him at No. 10 on the World All-time list.

Chidi Okezie of Nigeria is expected to be James’ closest rival, but he would need to lower his lifetime best significantly if he wants to share the same camera frame with the Grenadian.

Okezie, 24, holds a personal best of 45.76 seconds, but his quickest this season is 45.84.

Leading the chargers for Guyana is national record holder Winston George, who has a personal best of 45.16 secs, but is still searching for his first sub-46 seconds performance of the season.

Stephan James, Arinze Chance and 18-year-old Daniel Williams, who is seeking a World U-20 Championships qualification, are also listed among the entries.

The Aliann Pompey Invitational, which is the third edition this season, is the top international track and field meeting in Guyana.

For more information visit here Follow TrackAlerts.com for updates and results.

2018 Aliann Pompey Invitational
Men’s 400m Complete List

Kirani James (GRN)
Chidi Okezie (NIG)
Winston George (GUY)
Stephan James (GUY)
Arinze Chance (GUY)
Carlwyn Collins (GUY)
Dequawn Vancooten (GUY)
Brian Roman (GUY)
Shawn Semple (GUY)
Joshua Walcott (BAR)
Daniel Williams (GUY)

Bolt Completes Third Olympic Sprint Double; Says He’s The Greatest

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Sporting Alert — Usain Bolt completed his third successive Olympic Games sprint double, after racing away with the men’s 200m title at Rio 2016 on Thursday night.

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The world record holder posted a time of 19.78 seconds to dismiss a quality field, with Canada’s Andre De Grasse taking the silver in 20.02 and the bronze going to Christophe Lemaitre of France in 20.12.

Bolt, who was hoping to lower either his world record of 19.19 or the Olympic record of 19.30, missed out at challenging any of the times.

The sprint sensation was visually disappointed with his performance, as he had hoped to deliver something special in his final individual Olympic event.

Still, the Jamaican sprint legend, who turns 30 this coming weekend, believes he has still put himself at the top of the list among sprint greats.

“I don’t need to prove anything else,” he said after landing his third Olympic 200m gold medal and his eighth overall at Games.

“What else can I do to prove to the world I am the greatest?”

Bolt, who announced ahead of the start of Rio 2016 that this would be his last Olympic Games, says he is stepping away because he doesn’t think he has anything else to prove.

“I have proven to the world that I am the greatest,” added Bolt. “That is why I came here.

“That’s why it is my last Olympics. I can’t do anymore. I make people want to come and watch the sport and be involved in it.

“To be an eight-time gold medalist is shocking but I have worked hard to be the best.

“I have proven to the world I have done great things. I am happy, Olympic champion again, that’s what matters.”

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Meanwhile, also hitting the headlines on Day 7 of track and field competition was American Ryan Crouser, who produced an Olympic record to win the men’s Shot Put and Ashton Eaton, who successfully defended his title and tied the Olympic record for most points in the men’s decathlon.

Crouser heaved the shot 22.52m to dominate the men’s event and grabbed the gold medal over countryman Joe Kovacs (21.72m) and New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh (21.36m).

“The atmosphere on the field was phenomenal, it was electric and once I got in the ring everything was really coming together,” Crouser said.

“It’s been a long road, and to get here and have everything to go essentially perfectly, words can’t describe how I feel right now.”

Meanwhile, Eaton tallied 8893 points to match the Olympic record and win back-to-back decathlon crowns, following his success at London 2012.

“I’m just happy to be a part of the family, the decathlon family,” the USA star who admits that he was chasing records, said.

“Regardless of the records and to be a two-time medalist is great, but it’s just greatest to be a decathlon.”

Kevin Mayer scored a national record of 8834 points to take the silver for France, with the bronze going to Canadian Damian Wariner with 8666pts.

American Delilah Muhammad also secured a gold on Day 7, after she clocked 53.13 to win the women’s 400m hurdles.

Elaine Thompson Completes Rio 2016 Double; Bolt Quickest In 200m

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Sporting Alert – Elaine Thompson held off the fast finishing Dafne Schippers to win the women’s 200m and complete the Olympic Games sprint double at Rio 2016 on Wednesday night.

Thompson, who secured the gold medal in the 100m on Saturday, blasted off the corner and then held her form down the straightaway to win the title in a season-best time of 21.78 seconds.

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The Jamaican was chased down by Schippers at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, last summer, and the Dutchwoman looked as though she was about the complete the same feat at the Olympic Games.

However, the world champion closed the gap, but was unable to overtake Thompson and had to settle for the silver medal in 21.88secs.

Schippers, who fell across the line, was visually disappointed following the race – with images capturing her tossing her spikes to the ground aggressively after failing to catch Thompson in the closing metres.

American champion Tori Bowie fell behind early in the race, but recovered to win the bronze medal in 22.15.

Marie-Josee Ta Lou from the Ivory Coast ran a new personal best and national record of 22.21 for fourth place.

Meanwhile, in the women’s sprint hurdles final, USA completed the first-ever sweep of the medals in the 100m hurdles in Olympic history, after Brianna Rollins led a 1-2-3 finish in the event for the Americans.

Rollins covered the obstacle distance in a time of 12.48, with Nia Ali getting the silver in 12.59 and Kristi Castlin outleaning Great Britain’s Cindy Ofili for the bronze in 12.61.

In the other final on the night, Tianna Bartoletta leaped a personal best mark of 7.17m in the fifth round to win the women’s Long Jump gold medal – beating American countrywoman and defending champion Brittney Reese, who did 7.15m for the silver.

Ivana Španović of Serbia won the bronze with a national record mark of 7.08m.

In the meantime, Usain Bolt took another step towards completing another Olympic Games sprint double after the Jamaican booked his place in the final in the men’s 200m with the fastest time and new seasonal best.

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Bolt, the champion from Beijing 2008 and London 2012, eased to a comfortable 19.78 seconds to win the second semi-final.

The world record holder joked his way across the finishing line with Canadian Andre De Grasse, who set a new national record of 19.80 to take second in the heat and advanced to the final as the second fastest.

USA’s LaShawn Merritt ran 19.94 to win his semi-final over France’s Christophe Lemaitre (20.01), but his American countryman and the second fastest man in 2016, Justin Gatlin, failed to advance after finishing third in his semis in 20.13.

Panama’s Alonso Edward took the other semi-final in a time of 20.07.

Also missed out at qualifying for the final was Jamaican champion Yohan Blake, the London 2012 silver medallist, after running 20.37 in his semi-final heat.

Bolt Eases Through In 200m; Taylor, Perkovic Land Gold Again

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt comfortably advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 200m, after winning his heat effortlessly on Tuesday’s morning session on Day 5 of track and field competition at Rio 2016.

Bolt posted a time of 20.28 seconds to win Heat 9 of the event, easily beating Nigeria’s teenager Ejowvokoghene Oduduru, who ran a personal best of 20.34 for second place.

The world record holder won the Olympic Games 100m title on Sunday night and is bidding to become the first man in Olympic history to win a treble-treble.

In an interview after his race, the Jamaican speedster said he will wait until after he runs the semi-final to predict what kind of time he is capable of running in the final.

Canadian Andre De Grasse, the 100m bronze medallist from Sunday night, qualified the quickest in the half-lap with a comfortable time of 20.09secs.

Americans LaShawn Merritt and Justin Gatlin, the two fastest over the distance this year in that order, were easy heat winners on Tuesday as well.

Merritt, who won the bronze medal in the 400m Sunday night, finished first in heat 8 with a time of 20.15, the joint-fourth fastest on the day, while 100m silver medallist Gatlin ran 20.42 to take the fifth heat.

Also advancing to the semi-finals are Yohan Blake (20.13) of Jamaica, the London 2012 silver medallist, his countryman Nickel Ashmeade (20.15), Panama’s Alonso Edward (20.19), Spain’s Bruno Hortelano (20.12) and Nery Brenes of Costa Rica (20.20).

Five national records and a number of personal best and season best times were achieved in the heats.

TAYLOR AND CLAYE DOES IT AGAIN

Meanwhile, in field event action, Americans Christian Taylor and Will Claye repeated their 1-2 finish in the men’s triple jump from London 2012.

Taylor, the favourite heading into the competition opened with a massive mark of 17.86m and that was enough to defend his title, while Claye stretched out to a personal best of 17.76m in the first round as well for the silver.

“I wanted it so much,” Taylor said after the event. “It came together, the stars aligned.”

He added: “I wanted the world record but it wasn’t to be. I’ll keep pushing for it. It’s been there so long.”

China’s world indoor champion Dong Bin did 17.58m to take the bronze medal.

He was delighted with his effort.

“It’s very special for me because it’s the Olympics,” said Dong. “I got my personal best which made me very happy.

“It’s a new landscape for me. I’ve improved so much since coming 10th at London.”

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PERKOVIC HELD IT TOGETHER

Also in the field, Croatia’s defending Olympic champion Sandra Perkovic had just one mark, but it was more than enough to win the gold medal again in the women’s discus.

Perkovic started the competition with two fouls, but the champion held it together to toss a huge 69.21m in the third round to defend her crown.

Melina Robert-Michon of France was second with a new national record of 66.73m, while Cuba’s world champion Denia Caballero took the bronze with a 65.34m throw.

Rio 2016 Day 5 Live Stream: Watch Bolt Returns In 200m

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt returns to the track this morning to start the defence of his 200 metres title at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Watch Live Streaming On NBCOlympic.com | Follow Live Results

Bolt, who successfully defended his Olympic 100m crown on Sunday night, will start from lane five of Heat 9 and will take on Jaysuma Saidy Ndure of Norway, Ahmed Ali of Sudan, and Japan’s Kei Takase.

The first two athletes from each heat, plus the next four fastest on time, will advance to the semi-final heats.

Meanwhile, American champion Justin Gatlin will look to shake off his defeat to Bolt in the 100m when he races in the fifth heat of the 200m.

Gatlin, who has the second-fastest time in the world this year, at 19.75secs, will start from lane four against Yancarlos Martínez from the Dominican Republic, Aleixo-Platini Menga of Germany and Japan’s Kenji Fujimitsu.

World-leader LaShawn Merritt, who bagged a bronze medal in the 400m, will try to improve on that medal colour when he starts in Heat 8.

The American sprinter leads the world performance list for 2016 with a time of 19.74secs, and will face France’s Christophe Lemaitre in his heat.

Elsewhere, London 2012 silver medallist Yohan Blake of Jamaica who finished fourth in the 100m, starts in Heat 2 against American Ameer Webb and South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana, the bronze medallist at the IAAF World Championships last year and a finalist at London 2012.

Nickel Ashmeade of Jamaica starts in Heat 6 with Adam Gemili of Great Britain, Canadian 100m bronze medallist Andre De Grasse starts from Heat 10, with his countryman Brendon Rodney racing from Heat 7 and Alonso Edward of Panama going in Heat 1.

Tuesday’s Day 5 morning session at Rio 2016 will also see Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana, the 10,000m champion and world record holder, start her quest for a double when she lines up in the women’s 5000m heats.

The men’s Triple Jump and women’s Discus Throw are the two finals on Tuesday morning’s early session.

MORNING SESSION – Rio 2016 DAY 5
ET TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
8:30 W 5000 Metres Heats Startlist
8:45 W Pole Vault Qualification Startlist
8:50 M Triple Jump Final Startlist
9:30 M 1500 Metres Heats Startlist
10:05 W 100 Metres Hurdles Heats Startlist
10:20 W Discus Throw Final Startlist
10:50 M 200 Metres Heats Startlist

Miller v Felix Women’s 400m Final: Day 4 Live Stream Schedule

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Several personal bests, national records and season bests are expected to be achieved at the end of the women’s 400m final in the evening session on Day 4 of track and field action at Rio 2016 on Monday night.

Watch Live Streaming on NBCOlympic and Online Streaming Platforms, at 7:30 pm ET.

The pre-Olympic favourites are reigning world champion Allyson Felix of USA and Bahamas’ Shaunae Miller, who finished behind the American in Beijing, last summer, but they are expected to have lots of company as the battle for the medals will not be easy.

Six of the eight women for Monday night’s final have gone under 50-seconds over the 400m in their career, with five of them breaking that barrier this year as well.

Felix and Miller are expected to be the ones battling for the gold medal, but Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson and Americans Natasha Hastings and Phyllis Francis looked impressive in their semi-final heats – well enough to spring a surprise on the favourites.

Felix got the better of Miller in a very exciting semi-final on Sunday night, while Francis and Jackson, who ran a personal best of 49.83 seconds in the last round – finished impressively to take their respective semis.

All four runners dipped under 50-seconds in the semis.

Hastings, who finished behind Jackson also ran quicker than 50-seconds in the semi-final.

European champion Libania Grenot of Italy could also be one of the athletes to watch in the race for a medal.

Another final in Monday night’s evening session is the men’s 800m, where defending champion and world record holder David Rudisha of Kenya will seek to defend the title he won in London four-years-ago.

In the men’s sprint obstacles, world leader Omar McLeod of Jamaica will start his hunt for the Olympic gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles when he races in the first heat of the event.

USA’s Jeff Porter will also be in Heat 1 of the event.

Also starting in the 110m hurdles heat on Monday night are Spain’s Orlando Ortega, Dimitri Bascou of France and USA’s Devon Allen.

AFTERNOON SESSION
ET TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
19:30 W Discus Throw Qualification Group A
19:35 M Pole Vault Final
19:40 M 110 Metres Hurdles Heats
20:30 W 400 Metres Hurdles Heats
20:50 W Discus Throw Qualification Group B
21:25 M 800 Metres Final
21:45 W 400 Metres Final

Elaine Thompson Starts Sprint Double Hunt: Watch Live Stream

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Elaine Thompson returns to the track on Monday’s Day 4 of track and field competition when she runs in the heats of the women’s 200m.

Watch Live Streaming of Olympic Games Track Day 4

Thompson, who posted the fastest time ever to win the Olympic Games women’s 100m title on Saturday night, will attempt to complete the sprint double when she starts in the fourth heat inside the Olympic Stadium in Monday morning’s session.

The Jamaican sprint star will line-up against Marie-Josee Ta Lou from the Ivory Coast in the heat.

Meanwhile, world champion Dafne Schippers from the Netherlands will look to bounce back from her shocking fifth place finish in the 100m when she races in heat one of the half lap.

Schippers, who has been running exceptionally well in the last few month and holds the world’s fastest time on the 2016 performance list, looked a shadow of herself in the 100m.

Caribbean sprint queen, Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games champion from Athens and Beijing, will start in the ninth heat, where Trinidad and Tobago’s Semoy Hackett and Olga Safronova of Kazakhstan expected to be her main challengers.

Olympic 100m silver medallist Tori Bowie goes in Heat 8 against Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahouré, while Deajah Stevens of USA goes in Heat 6.

Elsewhere, Jamaica champion Simone Facey and Trinidad & Tobago best Michelle-Lee Ahye will face-off in Heat 3, European champion Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain, Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria and Bahamas’ Anthonique Strachan, will battle from the fifth heat.

USA’s Jenna Prandini will race from Heat 2.

Day 4 at Rio 2016 morning session will see action in the men’s 400m hurdles heats, men’s 3000m Steeplechase, as well as the women’s Steeplechase final.

Men’s Triple Jump qualification and women’s Hammer Throw final are also on the schedule for the morning session.

MORNING SESSION
ET TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
8:30 M Triple Jump Qualification
8:30 W 200 Metres Heats
9:25 M 3000 Metres Steeplechase Heats
9:40 W Hammer Throw Final
10:15 W 3000 Metres Steeplechase Final
10:35 M 400 Metres Hurdles Heats

Rio 2016 Track and Field Day 1 Schedule, Live Stream, TV Channels

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Track and field competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begins on Friday with a full schedule, which gets underway at 9:30 am (8:30 ET).

LIVE STREAMING ON NBC SPORTS | LIVE UPDATED RESULTS ON IAAF.ORG

Three finals are slated to go down on Day 1, with medals in the women’s 10,000m, men’s 20 Kilometres Race Walk and women’s Shot Put all up for the taking.

Two-time defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia will try and defend her title in the women’s 10,000m, but even she knows that will be a very mighty mission to accomplish.

Since defending the title she won in Beijing in 2008 in London in 2012, Dibaba has had some activities in her life.

Sitting high on that list is her becoming a mother, which resulted in her racing sparingly during that period.

Dibaba heads into Rio 2016 with the fourth-fastest time in the world this year, at 30:28.53, and if she can somehow find a way to pull off a victory, the 30-year-old would become the first woman to win three successive individual track and field event at an Olympic Games.

Leading the way in the event, though, is another Ethiopian, world 5000m champion Almaz Ayana, who made her debut in the event with 30:07.00, which heads the 2016 performance list.

World championships silver medallist Gelete Burka, who finished behind Ayana at the Ethiopian trial in Hengelo in June, has the third-fastest time in the world this year and should be in the conversations for the top podium place.

Kenya’s world champion Vivian Cheruiyot, the bronze medallist from the London Olympics in 2012, will surely be a contender, along with her countrywoman Alice Aprot, who holds the second-fastest time in the world this term.

Americans Emily Infeld and Molly Huddle and Turkey’s Yasemin Can, the European champion, are also expected to be in the leading pack.

In the women’s Shot Put, two-time defending champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand, China’s Gong Lijiao, the London bronze medallist and world silver medallist in Beijing, last year and world champion Christina Schwanitz of Germany will be among the top throwers hunting spots in the event final during the morning session.

Also on the schedule for Day 1 in track and field are the heats in the men’s 400m, women’s 100m, men’s 800m heats, as well as the women’s Heptathlon.

RIO 2016 DAY 1 TRACK SCHEDULE

MORNING SESSION
LOCAL TIME ET TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
09:30 08:30 M Discus Throw Qualification Group A
09:35 08:35 W 100 Metres Hurdles Heptathlon
10:05 09:05 W Shot Put Qualification
10:10 09:10 M 800 Metres Heats
10:50 09:50 W High Jump Heptathlon
10:55 09:55 M Discus Throw Qualification Group B
11:10 10:10 W 10,000 Metres Final
11:55 10:55 W 100 Metres Preliminary Round

AFTERNOON SESSION
LOCAL TIME ET TIME SEX EVENT ROUND
14:30 13:30 M 20 Kilometres Race Walk Final
20:30 19:30 W 1500 Metres Heats
20:35 19:35 W Shot Put Heptathlon
20:40 19:40 W Hammer Throw Qualification Group A
21:05 20:05 M 400 Metres Heats
21:20 20:20 M Long Jump Qualification
22:00 21:00 W Shot Put Final
22:05 21:05 W 200 Metres Heptathlon
22:10 21:10 W Hammer Throw Qualification Group B
22:40 21:40 W 100 Metres Heats

Rio 2016 Olympic Medal Standings on Day 5: Aug. 7

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Medal standings on Day 5 at the summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday.

At the end of action on Sunday night, the United States head the pack with a total of 12 medals, including three golds, two of which came in the swimming pool.

The USA also has five silver medals and four bronze medals in the early stages of the Rio 2016 Games, while Katie Ledecky smashed the world record on her way to winning the first individual gold in the women’s 400m freestyle.

Michael Phelps helped the Americans win the men’s 4x100m relay title and secured his 19th Olympic gold in the pool.

The other USA gold medal came in the 10m Air Rifle for women, through Virginia Thrasher.

Meanwhile, China sits second in the medal standings after the fifth day with eight medals, three golds, two silvers and three bronze and Italy followed with seven medals overall – two golds, three silvers and two bronze.

Japan, with one gold medal and six bronze, also has seven total medals.

Australia has three golds and three bronze for a tally of six medals, while South Korea has won two golds and tallies five so far, the same tally as Russia, which has won one gold so far.

So far, 31 countries have already won medals at Rio 2016, while 17 of those nations have won at least one gold medal.

RIO 2016 GAMES MEDAL STANDINGS TOTAL
AFTER DAY 5 ON SUNDAY (7)

1 UNITED STATES 3 5 4 12
2 CHINA 3 2 3 8
3 ITALY 2 3 2 7
4 JAPAN 1 0 6 7
5 AUSTRALIA 3 0 3 6
6 REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2 2 1 5
7 RUSSIAN FEDERATION 1 2 2 5
8 HUNGARY 2 0 0 2
9 GREAT BRITAIN 1 1 0 2
9 SWEDEN 1 1 0 2
11 THAILAND 1 0 1 2
11 TAIPEI (CN TAIPEI) 1 0 1 2
13 CANADA 0 1 1 2
13 KAZAKHSTAN 0 1 1 2
15 UZBEKISTAN 0 0 2 2
16 ARGENTINA 1 0 0 1
16 BELGIUM 1 0 0 1
16 KOSOVO 1 0 0 1
16 NETHERLANDS 1 0 0 1
16 VIETNAM 1 0 0 1
21 BRAZIL 0 1 0 1
21 DENMARK 0 1 0 1
21 FRANCE 0 1 0 1
21 INDONESIA 0 1 0
21 NEW ZEALAND 0 1 0 1
21 PHILIPPINES 0 1 0
21 DPR KOREA 0 1 0
21 SOUTH AFRICA 0 1 0
29 SPAIN 0 0 1 1
29 GREECE 0 0 1 1
29 POLAND 0 0 1 1

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Men’s Soccer Scores: Day 5

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, Sporting Alert – Neymar and Brazil were booed for the second successive time by the home supporters after the host nation fired blank against Iraq in the second men’s soccer group match at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Sunday.

After playing out a 0-0 draw with South Africa in the first group match last week, Brazil was hoping for a breakthrough in the second game.

However, as they did in the first outing, the home side failed to take advantage of the chances presented to them and was even lucky to earn a point in the end, as Iraq also created good chances to get on the board, but missed out on the execution.

The one point earned on Sunday moves Brazil to second place in Group A with two points behind group leader Denmark.

Brazil will need to beat Denmark in the final match of the group.

Meanwhile, the Danes tagged South Africa 1-0 with Robert Skov scoring the lone goal in the 69th minute of the contest.

Denmark leads Group A with four points and is well placed to book a quarter-final spot.

The highlight of the day, though came at the Fonte Nova Arena where Erick Gutiérrez scored four times, including a second half hat-trick, and defending champion Mexico hammered Fiji 5-1.

Gutiérrez netted in the 48th, 56th, 58th and 73rd minutes, with Carlos Salcedo adding another for the North Americans in the 67th.

Roy Krishna had given Fiji a shock 1-0 lead in the 11th minute and his team led 1-0 at halftime.

However, Mexico bullied through the second 45 minutes to score five unanswered goals during that period.

Also picking up wins on Sunday were Nigeria, which edged Sweden 1-0 for the second victory at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Portugal, which finished 2-1 over Honduras and Argentina, after beating Algeria 2-1.

Elsewhere, Germany and Korea Republic battled out an exciting 3-3 draw in Group C, while Japan and Colombia ended 2-2 in Group B.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Soccer – Men Scores

Fiji 1 – 5 Mexico
Honduras 1 – 2 Portugal
Germany 3 – 3 Korea Republic
Argentina 2 – 1 Algeria
Sweden 0 – 1 Nigeria
Denmark 1 – 0 South Africa
Japan 2 – 2 Colombia
Brazil 0 – 0 Iraq

Rio 2016: Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Live Stream

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Sporting Alert – Rio 2016 will officially commence on Friday with the Olympic Games opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium. Live coverage gets under way at 7:30 p.m. ET and it will be on NBC and streaming live on NBCSN.

COVERAGE FROM NBC NETWORK

ET/CT viewers: Watch the stream here at 7:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. CT
MT viewers: Watch the stream here at 6:30 p.m. MT
PT viewers: Watch the stream here at 7:30 p.m. PT

The live coverage on NBC will be streamed on the NBC Sports app and on NBCOlympics.com together with the television broadcast.

Special guidance will be led by hosts Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, and Hoda Kotb, with Michele Tafoya and Ros Gold-Onwude reporting as well from Macarana Stadium.

The familiar face of Bob Costas, the primetime Olympics host for NBC, opens the telecast on Friday night.

Meanwhile, For those living the UK, addition coverage can also be seen live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, Red Button.

The British broadcasting network has also revealed that up to 24 HD video streams on mobile, desktop, connected TVs and other application will also be available.

BBC Radio 5 live radio and live text commentary will also be free for those wanting to follow the opening ceremony.

Athletes from no fewer than 206 nations and a refugee team will line-up in 28 sports in Brazil and billions are gearing up to watch the prestigious event, which only comes around every four years.

This year will see a Refugee Olympic Team competing under the Olympic flag and it will be completed with 10 members. Five athletes from South Sudan, two from DR Congo, two from Syria and one from Ethiopia.

Rio 2016 competition has already gotten underway with the first rounds of the women’s and men’s soccer fixtures. The official part of the Games will take place between August 5 and 21 August and is being held in South America for the first time.

Several high-profile superstars, including sprinter Usain Bolt of Jamaica, who hunts an Olympic Games sprint treble for the third successive time, American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time and the host nation’s poster boy and leading forward Neymar.

However, the likes of NBA super stars Stephen Curry and LeBron James, tennis players Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, and golfer Rory McIlroy are among those who will miss the Olympic Games.

Bolt Says He’s Ready To Run Fast In Rio; Warns Americans About irritating Him

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Sporting Alert – Usain Bolt says he’s in 9.60 seconds shape and has warned his American rivals that they will feel his “full wrath” at Rio 2016 later this month.

Elaine Thompson Ran With “Damaged Hamstring” At Trials: Coach Francis

Harrison Breaks WR, Bolt Returns To Form In London

Embed from Getty Images

Bolt, who is hunting an unprecedented third successive Olympic Games treble, has shaken off a minor hamstring injury and is ready to defend his titles in Rio de Janeiro.

The world record holder who arrived in the Olympic Village with his Jamaican teammates on Wednesday, is again buzzing with confidence and he has warned his rivals that his condition is a lot better than last year when he landed the World Championships sprint double in Beijing.

Bolt could even be ready to take down his own Olympic record of 9.63 seconds in the 100m, which was set at the London Games in 2012.

“I’m feeling much more confident now,” the 29-year-old sprint legend told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday.

“I’m much more comfortable with where I’m at.”

He stopped short of predicting the times he would run in Rio de Janeiro, but revealed that he’s in very good shape.

“I never try to predict times, because you never know what will happen,” Bolt added.

“But for me the shape I’m in, I’ll say I’m in much better shape, so I think 9.6 seconds definitely.”

Such statement could send chills down the spine of his rivals, especially the Americans, who Bolt says need to start learning to not irritate him ahead of major championships.

Mike Rodgers: Someone Needs To Put Bolt In His Place

“Yes definitely, I think they have not learned over the years that the more you talk, the more I will want to beat you,” Bolt said.

“It’s one of those things, but I’m looking forward to it, should be exciting and they will feel my full wrath as always.”

The six-time Olympic gold medallist recovered from the hamstring injury he sustained at the Jamaica Trials last month, which was evident when he flashed to 19.89 seconds to win his season debut over 200m in London, two weeks ago and proved his fitness to the Jamaica selection panel.