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Tokyo Olympics: What to look out for on Sunday
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Stats Perform
Eliud Kipchoge heads a star-studded men's marathon line-up on Sunday at the Games
Eliud Kipchoge heads a star-studded men's marathon line-up on Sunday at the Games

After 17 days and 326 medal events, the final day of the Olympic Games is upon us.

There are 13 golds left to compete for, with boxing and cycling track events making up more than half of Sunday's schedule.

The United States men's basketball team secured a fourth successive crown against France on Saturday and the women's team will be looking to continue their dominance on day 16.

Here, Stats Perform looks ahead to the potential highlights of the finale, which includes the men's marathon and highly anticipated closing ceremony.

A WALK IN THE PARK FOR KIPCHOGE?

The men's marathon race has been moved to Sapporo Odori Park to avoid the hot temperatures in Tokyo.

A 42.195-kilometre challenge awaits the field, which boasts world record holder and Rio 2016 gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge.

Only two athletes have defended their Olympic marathon crown – the most recent being Waldemar Cierpinski in 1980 – and Kipchoge faces up against four who have run faster than him in 2021.

Fellow Kenyans Titus Ekiru, Reuben Kipyego and Barnabas Kiptum are three of those and they all beat Kipchoge in the same race in Milan, though the streets of Japan may offer a different challenge.

USA EYE SEVENTH HEAVEN

The USA have been ridiculously dominant in the women's basketball and line-up for their seventh successive gold at the Games when they face first-time finalists Japan.

The defending champions are on a 54-game winning streak that stretches back to Barcelona in 1992 and Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will be hoping to become the first athletes to win five golds in any team sport in Olympic history.

Prior to Tokyo 2020, Japan's best finish in this event was fifth at Montreal 1976 – the Games where they became one of three countries to defeat the USA in the Olympics.

The odds are stacked against Japan, who lost 86-69 in the preliminary round against the same opponents, but a win could represent one of the most momentous victories in sporting history.

RIDING TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE

Schedulers purposely held back the men's keirin – known for its huge Japanese following – until the last day.

Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny, the latter who failed to pass the quarter-finals this time, have won half the events since its 2000 introduction, while there could be more British gold if Jack Carlin can pull through in the sprint finish.

Lauren Kenny will be aiming for a golden hat-trick inside the velodrome in the women's omnium as she looks to defend her Olympic triumphs from 2012 and 2016.

Kelsey Mitchell, the holder of the 200-metre world record time trial, is a favourite for the women's sprint but she will have to overcome Germany's Emma Hinze, who has already won the team sprint, in Sunday's semi-finals.

GOING OUT WITH A BANG

There will be fireworks in the closing ceremony in Tokyo, though more can be expected inside the boxing ring.

The men's super-heavyweight division wraps up the sport, with Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov taking on American Richard Torrez Jr in the final.

Clarissa Shields won the first two women's middleweight titles in 2012 and 2016 before moving into the paid ranks and this 75kg final will be contested by Team GB's Lauren Price and Qian Li.

No American has won the men's lightweight crown since 2004 and Keyshawn Davis will be looking to change that when he challenges Cuba's Andy Cruz in a mouth-watering gold medal match-up.

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