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Canadian athletes in action today (courtesy of the Canadian High Commission in London)

10:00 Cycling – Men’s Road Race, across London and Surrey
The first full day of Olympic competition kicks off with the men’s road race, 250km of gruelling cycling around London. It starts and finishes on the Mall and takes in some of London’s iconic landmarks including Hampton Court Palace and Box Hill in Surrey. Canada’s aptly named Ryder Hesjedal – winner of the 2012 Giro d’Italia – is our top cycling medal contender, but he recently sustained injuries in the Tour de France. He came 16th in the Beijing Olympics. Fingers crossed he’s back on form!

10:10 Rowing Heats of Men’s Eight, Eton Dorney
Canadian expectations are high as the men’s eight take to the water and begin their battle for glory. Gold medal winners in Beijing and the current world champions, the Canadian eight broke the world-best time a couple of months ago.

10:47 Men’s 400m Freestyle Swimming Heats/Final (19:49), Aquatic Centre
Ryan Cochrane, bronze medalist in the 1500m freestyle event in Beijing in 2008, has an outside chance of a medal in this Men’s 400m freestyle event. He was fifth at last year’s world championships. He will also be in action on August 3 and August 4 in the 1500m freestyle heats and, we hope, the final!

11:15 Women’s Basketball Preliminary Round Group B. Canada v. Russian Federation, Basketball Arena
The Canadian women’s basketball team make their return to Olympic competition since the 2000 Games in Sydney. Today they face tough opposition from the Russian Federation.

14.45 Women’s Football, First Round Group F. Canada v. South Africa, City of Coventry Stadium
Canada’s women’s football team, ranked seventh in the world, take on the South Africans who are ranked 61st. Pundits are saying it should be an easy win for Canada.