The Olympic Games have just opened but already Belgium has high medal hopes on Saturday, with strong podium potentials in three finals events.
In cycling, the 2023 world road cycling champion and Belgian Sportswoman of the Year Lotte Kopecky will compete in the women's road time trials, which takes place in central Paris at 15:09. In the men's category, Remco Evenepoel is the reigning World Champion in the discipline. He will compete alongside his compatriot Wout van Aert, the 2023 Belgian time trial champion. The men's event starts at 17:21.
In judo, Jorre Verstraeten faced Jairo Moreno from El Salvador in the under-60 kilogram category at the Mart Arena. Having won his first fight he took on Spain’s former world champion and current European champion Francisco Garrigos in the last 16. Garrigos won this fight, knocking Verstraeten out the competion.
The Red Lions hockey team – ranked third worldwide and gold medal winners in Tokyo 2020 – started strong, with a 2-0 win against Ireland at 10:30. They will go on to play New Zealand at 17:15 on Sunday.
Belgium's Red Lions celebrate after beating Ireland during the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Saturday 27 July 2024 in Paris. Credit: Belga
Three Belgian swimmers are at the Défense Arena for the qualifying rounds in 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly. Roos Vanotterdijk successfully secured a place in the semi-finals 100 meter butterfly. But Valentine Dumont (400 meter freestyle) and Lucas Henveaux were unable to progress past the qualifying rounds.
In tennis, Belgian Zizou Bergs faces Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third match at the Simonne-Mathieu court.
In dressage (the first part of the equestrian events) seven-time Olympian Karin Donckers started at 11:15.
Badminton player Julien Carraggi will take part in his first round-robin match against Jonatan Christie of Indonesia at 16:30 at the Chapel Arena.
Table tennis player Cedric Nuytinck will face off against 22-year-old Swedish contestant Truls Moregard at 20:00 at the Arena Paris Sud 4.
Simultaneously, Belgian gymnasts Luka Van den Keybus, Noah Kuavita and Glen Cuyle will compete in the third and final subdivision of the day’s qualifiers at the Bercy location.
