All eyes on the heptathlon, with two Dutch athletes in top four

Christopher Garia Churandy Martina starts sprinting too early. Photo: Robin van Lonkhuijsen ANP
Christopher Garia Churandy Martina starts sprinting too early. Photo: Robin van Lonkhuijsen ANP

There were no overnight medals for the Netherlands at the Tokyo Olympics on but more could be in the offing later on Thursday, with the heptathlon and several indoor cycling events on the schedule.

The Netherlands is in with a chance of two medals in the heptathlon with just one event to go – the 800 metres which takes place later on Thursday.

Anouk Vetter, the overnight leader is now in second place behind Belgian favourite Nafissatou Thiam, while Emma Oosterwegel is lying fourth, and just one point off the bronze medal position.

There was disappointment for open water swimmer Ferry Weertman who finished seventh in the 10 kilometre event. The defending champion said after the race: ‘I could not do what I wanted to do, and that really hurts’. Gold went to Germany’s Florian Wellbrock, who was almost three minutes ahead of Weertman.

Churandy Martina ended his 20 year Olympic career as a sprinter by setting off too early in the final leg of the 4×100 metres, a mistake which led to the Dutch team failing to qualify for the final.

The women’s 4×100 metres team did make the grade as one of the fastest losers and will take part in Friday’s final.

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