Paris: A blockbuster swimming showdown takes centre stage at the Paris Olympics on Sunday as gymnastics icon Simone Biles makes her eagerly anticipated first appearance of the Games. After a thrilling but weather-disrupted first full day of sporting action on Saturday, day two of the Olympics will see 13 gold medals up for grabs in sports ranging from archery to skateboarding. But all eyes will be on the battle for gold in the swimming pool at La Defense Arena, where Britain's Adam Peaty faces a duel with China's world champion Qin Haiyang in the 100m breaststroke.
World record-holder Peaty is trying to match swimming legend Michael Phelps and win a third straight gold medal in the same event in a clash with Qin that is laced with intrigue. Qin, the 200m world record-holder, was reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned drug in late 2020 to early 2021. He and Chinese swimming chiefs have denied wrongdoing, saying they tested positive after inadvertently consuming tainted food during domestic competition.
A victory for Qin on Sunday will almost certainly reignite the doping controversy that has loomed over swimming in the build-up to the Olympics. Peaty's tussle with Qin is one of three swimming golds to be decided on Sunday. France's great swimming hope Leon Marchand will chase glory in the men's 400m individual medley, while the women's 100m butterfly title will also be on offer.
Elsewhere Sunday, American gymnastics queen Biles returns to the.