A disappointing medal race for sailors Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz saw them pushed back into bronze position in the 49erFX class, despite going into the event in joint first place.

The gold went to defending champions Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze from Brazil.

‘We could not really sail our own race today,’ Bekkering told reporters after the race. ‘It is super fine to have a bronze medal, but not just now.’

Nevertheless, their bronze medal takes the Dutch tally at the Tokyo Olympics so far to 19, and more are in the offing later on Tuesday, if things go to plan on the indoor cycling track.

The men’s team sprinters Roy van den Berg, Harrie Lavreysen, Matthijs Büchli and Jeffrey Hoogland, in action on Tuesday morning, are among the favourites for a medal.

Meanwhile the foreign media have been describing Sifan Hassan’s victory in the 5,000 metres as ‘magnificent’. ‘She wiped the floor with everyone,’ said Spanish sports paper Marca.

Hassan, who will also take part in the 1,500 metres and 10,000 metres, said her victory was ‘the best of all’. ‘Nothing beats this,’ she told broadcaster NOS. ‘But now I am dreaming about three golds.’