Paris 2024: When to watch our Bailiwick trio in action
Just like Tokyo three years ago, the Bailiwick of Guernsey will boast three athletes at this summer’s Olympics with Alastair Chalmers, Heather Watson and Carl Hester taking their places among the Team GB ranks.
Alastair Chalmers (athletics, first Olympics)
Following in the footsteps of his brother Cameron, 400m hurdler Alastair Chalmers will become Guernsey’s latest Olympic athlete in Paris.
Having won the island’s first ever Commonwealth medal on the track, the 24-year-old told the Guernsey Press he is desperate to reach the semi-finals of his event, which is one of the most hotly contested in the sport at the moment.
He will line up in the first round at 09:05 BST on Monday 5 August, with a newly-added repechage round the following morning meaning he will have two opportunities to progress.
The semi-finals themselves take place at 18:35 BST on Wednesday 7 August and the final at 20:45 BST on Friday 9 August. What a story it would be if he made it that far.
Heather Watson (tennis, fourth Games)
Sarnian tennis star Heather Watson is back for her fourth Olympics, having made her Team GB debut at London 2012.
This time she is teaming up with British number one Katie Boulter for the women’s doubles and Joe Salisbury in the mixed doubles event.
Watson and Boulter have been drawn against Angelique Kerber and Laura Siegemund of Germany, with the doubles getting under way this Saturday 27 July, the first day of competition after the opening ceremony.
In the mixed, it is Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski up first, scheduled for 29/30 July.
Carl Hester (dressage, seventh Games)
Last but very much not least, Carl Hester returns to the saddle for a remarkable seventh Olympic Games in Paris — equalling the Team GB record held by fellow equestrian Nick Skelton.
The Sark star, who at 57 is the oldest member of Team GB, has made the podium at the last three Games, a run that began with that unforgettable team gold at London 2012.
Hopes of another medal have been hit by the late withdrawal of team-mate Charlotte Dujardin but the close proximity of this summer’s hosts to his yard in Gloucestershire should help Hester get the best out of equine partner Fame.
They go in the opening rounds of the dressage, which is being staged at Versailles, on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 July, with the team and individual finals on the Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August.
