PARIS– Sunday is the last day for Paris Olympics. The day will end with the closing ceremony at the Stade de France, but 14 gold medals will be decided first.
It starts with the women’s marathon in the morning and continues with the men’s handball final between Denmark and Germany. The women’s volleyball final will see the Americans defending their title against first-time finalist Italy.
The competition ends with hosts France facing the USA in the women’s basketball final. The Americans are trying to become the first team – in any sport – to win eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, breaking a tie with the U.S. men’s program, which won seven straight between 1936 and 1968.
Here’s a guide of what to look for:
Breaking with tradition, women run the Olympic marathon on the last day, instead of men, who ran on Saturday. The marathon route has a symbolic and historical character, as it follows in the footsteps of the historic Women’s March on Versailles, which took place during the French Revolution in 1789. Kenyan runners have won the last two editions. The race starts at 8am CEST (2am EDT).
The French face a difficult task to win his first Olympic gold medal in basketball at 3:30 p.m. local time (9:30 a.m. EDT. They must beat Breanna Stewart and the seven-time United States champion at Bercy Arena. The North American women are looking to win their tenth gold since the women’s competition began at the 1976 Games. The final is a rematch of the London 2012 title clash, which France lost. In the bronze medal game, Belgium faces Australia.
THE US women defend the gold against Italy, who are playing in their first final and have their first medal guaranteed. His previous best result was fifth. Outside hitters Myriam Sylla and Loveth Omoruyi will look to cause an upset. The match starts at 1pm CEST (7am EDT)
The picturesque Palace of Versailles sees the conclusion of the women’s singles final at 12:40 pm CEST (6:40 am EDT). Show jumping last appears at the Olympics in the pentathlon before being scrapped in favor of a American Ninja Warrior style obstacle course. There is also fencing, swimming and laser racing – a dynamic event that combines laser pistol shooting and running laps.
Denmark seeks its second Olympic title in men’s handball when it faces 2016 bronze medalists Germany at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium at 1:30 pm CEST (7:30 am EDT). … Two-time Olympic champions Serbia face 2012 champions Croatia in water polo at 2pm CEST (8am EDT). … Track cycling ends with the women’s sprint and omnium and with the men’s keirin in the record-breaking Olympic velodromeall starting between 1:15pm CEST (7:15am EDT) and 2pm CEST (8am EDT).
All eyes will be on what director Thomas Jolly has created this time, following the extravagant outdoor opening ceremony. THE closing ceremony features the parade of athletes and the presentation of the Olympic flag to the organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It will also include more than 100 artists, acrobats, dancers and circus performers on a huge stage.
The ceremony begins at 9pm CEST (3pm EDT).
___
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
