Alicia Coutts. Photo: Getty
Note: Times are eastern Australian time. For reasons of space, this guide does not contain every event. It is designed to steer Australian viewers in the direction of the most popular/significant events, and is necessarily subjective. For the full program, go to the official Games website.
Anna Meares. Photo: Getty
Emmas Jackson and Moffatt will be chasing Australia’s first medals.
Anna Meares is just about the greatest story in Australian sport. She is the world record holder in this gut busting event, but faces stiff competition from compatriot Stephanie Morton.
There is a fierce rivalry between Australia, England and New Zealand in this event.
Cate Campbell. Photo: Getty
The Australian gold rush in the pool is likely to start with the first final, so get used to the giggly poolside interviews from the start.
The women flew the flag during the London 2012 debacle and should win here.
England’s Sir Bradley Wiggins could be up against Australia’s Jack Borbridge.
Mo Farah. Photo: Getty
Emerging Australian star Cameron McEvoy will begin his individual campaign.
Australia has strong contenders Alicia Coutts and Madeline Groves.
The last time you saw (some of) these blokes, they were lined up like naughty schoolboys at a press conference confessing to the curious crime of engaging in a “Stilnox bonding session”. Time to make amends.
Enter Cate Campbell.
Melissa Breen. Photo: Getty
Another women’s relay, another gold?
The enthralling cat-and-mouse event with Meares in the saddle.
A chance to see the hero of London 2012, Mo Farah. He has threatened to do a Scottish dance on the podium if he wins. Stop press: Farah has withdrawn.
James Magnussen. Photo: Getty
Magnussen v McEvoy. McEvoy knocked Magnussen off at the national titles; Magnussen is swimmng for redemption.
Alicia Coutts is on the way back from injury, but will be hard to beat.
Hopefully Coutts gets her breath back for this race.
New Zealand has won this event in all four Games in which it has been contested.
Melissa Breen is the fast Australian woman over the flat – ever – after breaking Melinda Gainsford-Taylor’s 20-year-old record, although that does not even guarantee a place in the final in this company. Pearson says she is unlikely to run the flat.
No Bolt or Blake, but the Jamaicans still have a strong team.
Alicia Coutts. Photo: Getty
London-born Ellen Gandy competed for Britain at London 2012, but is now swimming for Australia in this event.
Australia’s Cate Campbell is the standout here.
Cameron McEvoy. Photo: Getty
Magnussen and McEvoy get to thrash about again.
Australia is looking for its next star in this event, and the baton has passed to 18-year-old Mack Horton. But he will be up against the better credentialled Canadian Ryan Cochrane, who won silver at London 2012, and England’s Daniel Fogg.
These women should be familiar faces by now.
Australia’s Melissa Wu will look to defend her title with new partner Rachel Bugg.
Kim Mickle. Photo: Getty
Australian Kim Mickle is capable of great things, as demonstrated by her second in last year’s world championships and silver in Delhi.
Maddison Keeney competes with fellow Australian Anabelle Smith.
Kurt Fearnley, possibly Australia’s greatest ever male Paralympian, will start favourite.
Matthew Mitcham. Photo: Getty
Alex Rowe equalled Ralph Doubell’s 46-year-old Australian record in this event recently. The time was enough to give Doubell gold at the Mexico Olympics; for Dobell, it earnt him seventh at a meeting in Monte Carlo. He should make the final, although he won’t win it.
Matthew Mitcham.
Matthew Mitcham with Grant Nel.
Dani Samuels became the youngest ever world champion in this event in 2009, although she has not thrown the same distances since.
Usain Bolt. Photo: Getty
Another chance to see Mo Farah. Stop press: No it’s not. He has withdrawn.
Sally Pearson is Australia’s greatest athlete since Cathy Freeman – possibly better. If she was a bloke, she would be a superstar in this country. But her world crown has been usurped and a hamstring injury has hampered her preparation. English rival Tiffany Porter beat her at her last start. But the reigning Olympic and Commonwealth champ will not surrender without a fight.
Australian Maddison Keeney is tipped to make a splash, of sorts.
Australians Matthew Mitcham and Dominic Bedggood
Joel Pocklington is leaping for Australia. Watch him perform some amazing feats in this video.
The only chance to see the great Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce, who is not running the individual event. Will Pearson run for Australia?
Usain Bolt missed the Jamaican trials through injury, so is not running in the individual event. But he will be in the relay. Watch and marvel.
The Kookaburras.
More Maddison Keeney.
More Mitcham, although England’s Tom Daley could start favourite.
The Hockeyroos are going for a trifecta of Commonwealth Games victories.
Mark Renshaw faces the mighty task of backing up after the Tour de France.
Kookaburras recently won the world title and are defending Commonwealth Games champions.
The Australia-New Zealand final – are other teams allowed? – is invariably a classic. A fitting finale.
New Zealand claims the netball gold from Australia in Delhi. Photo: Getty