There will be action aplenty on the track, on the water, and on the court in Rio tonight

CEDRIC Dubler takes on the world’s best in the demanding decathlon while our Boomers need to wipe the court with Lithuania to continue their Olympic charge. Who is on show in Rio tonight?

Australia's Joe Ingles, left, laughs with teammate Chris Goulding after a basketball game against Venezuela at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

ATHLETICS — August 17, from 10.30pm

CEDRIC Dubler was just five when Australia’s last Olympic decathlete, Scott Ferrier, stepped on to world sport’s biggest stage in Sydney.

Sixteen years on, Dubler is preparing to shoulder the weight of expectation as the country’s major hope in Rio.

The Aspley Little Athletics product, 21, booked his ticket to Brazil with a personal-best performance at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney.

Brisbane athlete Cedric Dubler. Pic Annette Dew

Dubler, coached by Eric Brown, snuck past the minimum qualifying score (8100) by just 14 points, capping a stunning rise to stardom after he was plagued by injury throughout the 2015 season.

He said sealing an Olympic debut was “a dream come true”.

“It’s been a goal since I started athletics to make an Olympics, the biggest sporting event in the world. I could not be happier,” Dubler said.

The young gun said he hoped to finish in the top eight in Rio.

First up for Dubler is the 100m on August 17 at 10.30pm and long jump at 11.35pm.

ATHLETICS — August 17, 11.05pm

Patrick Tiernan, who spent four years studying and competing in the United States at prestigious distance running school Villanova University, will line up for Australia in the 5000m on August 17 at 11.05pm.

Tiernan, who went to St Anthony’s Catholic School and St Joseph’s College in Toowoomba, is coached by former great Irish athlete Marcus O’Sullivan.

Patrick Tiernan

The 21-year-old, part of Intraining Running and Triathlon Club, ran a personal best time of 13:20 in the 5000m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, 2016.

If he makes the final, it will be on August 21 at 10.30am.

AUSTRALIAN BOOMERS versus LITHUANIA — Thursday, 12am

THE Boomers have a chance for revenge against the team, which cost them an Olympic medal in 1996 and 2000 — Lithuania.

Australia have been the standout of the competition so far, behind Team USA, after beating European powerhouses France and Serbia on their path to finishing second in their group.

But they will face a tough Lithuanian team featuring Toronto Raptors NBA big man Jonas Valanciunas, who lost their last two pool games against Spain and Serbia to finish third and set up a meeting with the Boomers.

An overview shows Venezuela's point guard Gregory Vargas (Bottom), Australia's guard Damian Martin (R) and Australia's forward Cameron Bairstow go for a rebound during a Men's round Group A basketball match between Australia and Venezuela at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / Andrej ISAKOVIC

Australia might be without Runcorn product Cameron Bairstow, who dislocated his shoulder against Venezuela on Monday. The Boomers also feature Brisbane State High School old boys Chris Goulding and Brock Motum.

ATHLETICS — August 18, from 1.15am

Cedric Dubler will compete in the shot put event in the men’s decathlon on August 18 at 1.15am, the high jump at 6.45am and the 400m at 10.20am. He will then compete in the 110m hurdles at 10.30pm, and discus at 11.35pm.

Brisbane athlete Cedric Dubler, 21, produced six personal bests in 10 events over two days to become Aust's first Olympics decathlon. Pic Annette Dew

SAILING

ROYAL Queensland Yacht Squadron members Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan will take home a medal from the Rio Olympics, but what colour will come down to tomorrow’s medal race in the men’s 470 class.

Australia's Mathew Belcher and Australia's Will Ryan compete in the 470 Men sailing class on Marina da Gloria in Rio de Janeiro during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST

The pair sit third overall so far, two points behind Greece and 13 points behind Croatia.

Belcher won gold in the 470 class at the 2012 London Games with retired partner Malcolm Page.

The medal race starts at 3.05am.

ATHLETICS — August 18, 9.35am

He could have been Australian cricket’s next fast-bowling star. But the man who was once the quickest bowler for his age in Queensland will instead represent his country at the Olympic Games.

Josh Robinson, who trains at Nathan’s Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre under Richard Brockatt, chose javelin over cricket as a teenager and has overcome a long list of setbacks, including missing out on the 2008 and 2012 Games, to take his place in Rio.

“I spoke to him when he was young and told him he might have to make a choice to what he wants to do,” dad Kerry said.

“I said to him with javelin, a tape measure never lies, whereas with cricket, it’s up to cricket. So he made his decision and now this is where he is. It’s incredibly special to see him reach his dream and we can’t wait to watch him.”

Javelin thrower Josh Robinson. Pics Tim Marsden

The 30-year-old, known as ‘Chop’, battled through a severe knee injury to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and not even a calf problem could stop him reaching his goal.

“He just gets knocked down at times and dusts himself off and gets back up again; his resilience is amazing,” mum Gerry said.

“We’ve all watched him continue to fight for his dream of representing Australia at the Olympic Games, so it’s a special moment for the whole family really. When we watch him, I just think it will be a feeling of immense pride.”

Robinson’s parents have made the trip to Rio but younger sister Emma will watch from home.

The Villanova College and University of Queensland graduate makes his Olympic Games debut on August 18 at 9.35am.