Rio Olympics: Sunday’s Best Bets

Swimming

This is the day that America gets acquainted with Katie Ledecky. The media-anointed heir to Michael Phelps as the face of U.S. swimming should win her first gold medal of the Games in the 400-meter freestyle. By the time it’s all over, she hopes to equal the woman’s record of four gold medals. Phelps will likely be named to the men’s 400-meter relay team as he starts to exit from the sport. It won’t be known until after qualifying if he will be part of the final relay team.

Tennis

If you’re a fan of the sport, all the big names will be playing. Among those scheduled to play on Center Court are Serena Williams, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Rafael Nadal was relegated to Court 1. Murray was Britain’s flag bearer on Friday night in the Opening Ceremony. Serena and her sister Venus will once again team up in doubles. Their first-round match will be against Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic.

Women’s Gymnastics

Here’s where America learns about the other U.S. star of the Games, Simone Biles. She is the four-time national all-around champion and three-time world floor champion. This is the first day of qualifying and there is little doubt the U.S. will move on to defend their Olympic gold from London. Gabby Douglas, who was the star in 2012, seems content to give up the star position to Biles. Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian also return from four years ago.

Women’s basketball

Senegal hardly seems like much of a test for the U.S. women’s basketball team but that’s who got the lousy part of the draw and has to play the gold medalist in six of the last seven Olympic tournaments. The U.S. national team currently has a 41-game winning streak and coach Geno Auriemma is 23-0 with the team. Count on a lot UConn former players to carry the load.