Kiwi cyclist Corbin Strong will compete in the Men’s Road Race alongside fellow New Zealander Laurence Pithie.

Strong believes he's a decent chance for a medal if 'all goes it plan'.

D'Arcy catches up with him before the big race.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest edition of 'The All-Star Panel' features Sports Journalist Andrew Gourdie and Rugby Writer Jamie Wall.

On this weekend's agenda:

Why have the Crusaders kept Rob Penney in the top role? Was the Olympics Triathlon a success, and do we have more doping trouble at the Olympics in the swimming?

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A high level of confidence from Mystics goal shoot Grace Nweke that her team can win back-to-back ANZ Premierships in this afternoon's decider against the Pulse in Wellington.

The defending champions are riding a five-game winning streak into the grand final.

Nweke says the faith in her team's ability has never wavered throughout the campaign.

D'Arcy Waldegrave catches up with the goal shoot ahead of the grand final.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Mahe Drysdale believes Emma Twigg has struck fear into her rivals ahead of tonight's women's single sculls final in France.

Twigg recorded the fastest time across the semi-finals, but will go head-to-head with Dutchwomen Karolien Florijn, who is on a two-year unbeaten run.

Mahe Drysdale joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to preview the rowing finals.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NZ Herald Sports Reporter Michael Burgess gives us the latest out of Paris:

- Sprinter Zoe Hobbs is through to the semi-finals of the women's 100 metres.

- Silver for the Mac Attack off the coast of Marseille.

- Maddie Davidson's finished seventh in the women's trampoline event, while Dylan Schmidt crashes out.

- Swimmer Erika Fairweather's recorded the seventh fastest time in the heats of the 800 metres freestyle to qualify for Sunday morning's final.

- Jackie Kiddle and Shannon Cox have finished fourth in the lightweight women's double sculls.

- The New Zealand men's hockey team HAVE LOST 2-1 to Ireland and finish winless!

- Sam Tanner's finished 13th in his heat in the men's 1500 metres to move through to the repechage round.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zoe Hobbs is safely through to the semi-finals of the women's 100 metres.

She finished second in her heat with a season's best time of 11.08 seconds.

Hobbs' time is the 14th best in the field, with Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith clocking the quickest time at 10.87 seconds.

Head Coach James Mortimer joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to recap her opening heat.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand takes an Olympic sailing silver off the coast of Marseille.

Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie have finished second in the men's skiff 49er class.

It's New Zealand's sixth medal of the Paris Games, leaving us on two gold, three silver and a bronze.

D'Arcy caught up with Will McKenzie following their historic medal.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The French have definitely turned it on.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony turned a few heads with its very Gallic expressionism, but that was all fluff that mattered little in the grand scale of things. The exuberant colour and use of the beauty of France though has not stopped.

Exit stage left for the artists, musicians, and thespians, and hello to the main event.

The Games to date has been a visual symphony, the TV coverage across the disciplines has been exemplary, and the venues have been works of art, from where they have been set up, to how they’ve been displayed.

The use of Paris’ plethora of architectural icons, selected and positioned for maximum effect, along with the explosive colour palette all expertly curated and integrated into the television coverage, has been something to behold.

All of this without distracting from the point of the exercise, but actually enhancing what is a 5-star global product.

It is one enormous undertaking, a fiscally challenging exercise that provides no financial dividend - quite probably the hosts will be paying for the experience through many generations.

The point of course is not keeping bean-counters happy, the point is showing off France, promoting the nation to the world, resplendent in its finest possible attire.

The populace has responded en masse with tremendous attendance and the visiting hoards have added to this superb display.

The competition remains the absolute focus, this has never faltered, nor should it, and the supporting background cast is setting this Olympics up to be one of the best ever staged.

It’s only halfway through, but already the games of the 33rd Olympiad have been a wonder to behold.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.