During the afternoon session at the swimming venue there will be qualifying heats in four races including the shortest and longest of individual events (to be contested in the pool). The women’s 50 free preliminary heats being the day, with 100 free gold medalist Simone Manuel of the United States and London 50 free gold medalist Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands among those competing. Also competing will be sisters Bronte and Cate Campbell of Australia, with the latter entering the 100 free as the prohibitive favorite only to not even get onto the medal stand.
The men’s 1500 will be next on the schedule, with Americans Connor Jaeger and Jordan Wilimovsky among the competitors. 400 free gold medalist Mack Horton of Australia is also in this event, as is 400 free silver medalist Sun Yang of China. Yang won gold in this event in London four years ago, and silver medalist Ryan Cochrane of Canada is looking to get back onto the medal stand as well.
WATCH LIVE: Swimming Prelims (women’s 50 free, men’s 1500 free, women’s 4×100 medley, men’s 4×100 medley) — Noon Eastern
Also in the qualifying stages Friday afternoon are the men’s and women’s 4×100 medley relays, with the United States looking to extend its streak of Olympic gold medals in the men’s event to nine. The U.S. women are responsible for four of the last six Olympic gold medals in the 4×100 medley relay, with Australia winning in 2004 and 2008.