THE opening ceremony for the Olympics might not be until Friday but Team Ireland kick off their action TOMORROW.
This year will see the biggest ever Irish contingent travel to the Games, with 133 athletes taking part and representing their country in 14 sports.
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In an almost perfect gender balance, the Irish have 64 female athletes and 69 males taking part.
Dublin has the largest representation of athletes with 34, followed by Cork with 16 and Down with 14.
These athletes have been preparing for years, with the support and encouragement from their coaches, families, and the wider Irish community.
With a diverse range of sports, the anticipation and excitement are palpable as fans eagerly await to see their heroes compete on the world stage.
But with so many events, it can be hard to have an idea who is competing when.
And it would be easy to assume that the Games don’t actually start until after Friday’s opening ceremony when in fact, the Rugby 7s kick off their challenge on Wednesday.
So with all this in mind, I’ve put together some of the key moments to be prepared for in the opening week of this year’s Olympics…
Wednesday, July 24
Our first bit of action comes today in the form of rugby, with the men’s team kicking off with two games today.
Up first they take on South Africa at 4.30pm and then Japan at 8pm.
Thursday, July 25
In the third game of the men’s rugby sevens, Ireland take on New Zealand at 3.30pm.
Saturday, July 27
Austin O’Connor, Sarah Ennis and Susie Berry are up first for Ireland at 8.30am in the equestrian dressage.
Then it is over to hockey and Sean Murray is captaining the squad who face Belgium at 9.30am.
One of our biggest hopes for gold is Rhys McClenaghan in the pommel horse.
A double world champion, he missed out in Tokyo on a medal but this year could be different.
His qualification round starts at 10am.
Canoeing will kick off at 2pm and representing Ireland will be Tokyo Olympian, Liam Jegou.
The women’s later at 3pm will see Irish twins Michaela and Madison Corcoran compete.
Ryan Mullen will make his first appearance for cycling in the Games in the men’s road time trials, starting at 3.32pm.
Later in the day, Nhat Nguyen is up in badminton at 8.10pm, facing Israel’s Misha Zilberman.
Sunday, July 28
For those up early, Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh will compete in the women’s rowing pairs and their first heat begins at 9.30am.
They took home a bronze in Tokyo.
O’Connor, Ennis and Berry are back in action in equestrian cross country today, also at 9.30am.
The heats for the men’s boxing 92kg kick off at 11.04am this Sunday, with 16 people in the heats, including our own Jack Marley.
Around the same time, Olympic champs Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy will be in action, from 11am, in the men’s double lightweight sculls.
The Irish women now see their time to qualify in rugby sevens, with their first match facing Great Britain on Sunday at 2.30pm and then South Africa at 6pm.
Monday, July 29
Kicking off our prospects is hockey again, as the Irish take on Australia at 9am.
Considering our success with boxing, it is no surprise that we are sending 10 athletes, including a female in all categories.
Another favourite is Daniel Wiffen who is competing in the 800 and 1500 metres swims, and the double world champ’s first time in the pool is at 10am.
Gold medallist Kellie Harrington kicks off her campaign in the 60kg category on Monday at 11am.
At 1.30pm, it’s the Irish versus the Aussies again but this time it is in the women’s rugby 7s.
Tuesday, July 30
At 10am, Abigail Lyle is up in the Individual Dressage for equestrian fans.
At 12.15pm, it is the men’s hockey again and Ireland are facing off against India.
If Daniel Wiffen qualifies, he will compete in the final at 8.02pm.
Those interested in equestrian section of the Olympics will see Abigail Lyle ride Giraldo in the individual dressage from 10am.
Wednesday, July 31
Boxer Aoife O’Rourke from Roscommon has won 27 of her last 28 fights and she kicks off her battle for gold on at 10am.
Thursday, August 1
Up first is showjumping from 10am, and it’s the team of Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle and now four-time Olympian, Cian O’Connor.
The hockey team are in action again, taking on Argentina at 12.15pm.
Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy will be in action today as the men’s golf kicks off from 8am.
Friday, August 2
Another round of hockey for the team this afternoon and this time it is New Zealand at 4pm.
