Olympics 2024: Day 1 recap – New Zealand at the Paris Olympics

Lucy Spoors (stroke) and Brooke Francis (bow) competing in the women’s double scull heats at the Paris Olympics. Photo / Photosport

All the action you may have missed from day one of the Paris Olympics 2024.

• Kiwis in action: Full Paris Olympics schedule

• Olympics 2024 results

New Zealand medals today: 0

Swimming: Erika Fairweather just shy of bronze

Erika Fairweather was oh so close to claiming an Olympic medal, after finishing fourth in the 400m freestyle final. Fairweather finished 0.26 seconds behind bronze medallist Katie Ledecky. Australian Ariarne Titmus won the gold ahead of Canadian teen Summer McInstosh.

“It’s a tough field. Someone’s got to get fourth,” Fairweather told Sky Sport. “It wasn’t my greatest performance tonight and nowhere near happy with that but that’s sport. Move on to tomorrow, I’ve got a big schedule ahead.”

She broke into tears as the result hit her.

“I might be crying right now but that doesn’t mean I’m not proud of myself. Getting to the Olympics is a massive achievement. To get to another Olympic final... finishing fourth, I shouldn’t be complaining,” she said.

Rowing: Kiwis look strong on day one

A near-perfect opening day for the New Zealand rowing contingent. Single scullers Emma Twigg and Tom Mackintosh both won their heats to move into the quarter-finals as did double sculls women’s pair of Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis who advance to the semifinals. Men’s double scullers Robbie Manson and Jordan Parry came second in their heat to reach the semifinals as well.

Equestrian: Riders sit fourth overall after dressage

First day of the three-day eventing with the dressage and New Zealand sit behind Great Britain, Germany and France in the medal positions heading into tonight’s cross country. Clarke Johnstone was the best of the Kiwis (25.70 penalty points, 9th place) with Tim Price 26.50, 12th and Jonelle Price further behind 30.80, 27th.

Cycling: Fine time trial ride by Kim Cadzow

Kim Cadzow finished seventh in the women’s time trial, but was in gold medal position for a decent length of time.

Australia’s Grace Brown smashed the field by more than 90 seconds to claim the gold medal. Cadzow eventually dropped outside the medal – still an incredible result for the 22-year-old in her first Olympics and just three years into her career.

In the men’s time trial, Laurence Pithie finished with a time of 38m 49.76s, to end in 24th place.

Kim Cadzow of Team New Zealand competes during the Women’s Individual Time Trial on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby sevens: All Blacks Sevens finish fifth

A winning day to finish their campaign in Paris after the heartbreak of being knocked out in the quarter-finals. There were emotional scenes earlier this morning after New Zealand salvaged a 17-12 golden-point victory over Argentina. They then beat Ireland for a second time in the fifth-place playoff, 17-7.

In the gold medal match, France beat Fiji 26-7 in amazing scenes at Stade de France to claim the host nation’s first gold of the Games. France didn’t even qualify for the last Olympics, while Fiji are two-time winners.

Hockey: Black Sticks men lose pool opener

It was late heartbreak for the Black Sticks who were denied what would have been a hard-earned draw against India in their opening pool game. New Zealand opened the scoring through Sam Lane but trailed 2-1 going into the final quarter. Simon Child levelled the game midway through the final quarter. But India earned a penalty stroke with 1m 57s to play, converting it to take the win.

Football: Oly Whites thrashed by USA

The Oly Whites were handed a 4-1 defeat by the USA, who scored twice in the opening 12 minutes before adding a third on the 30-minute mark. Jesse Randall scored a late goal but New Zealand will likely need a result against France to reach the quarter-finals.

Canoe slalom: Luuka Jones advances to semifinals

Rio medallist Jones finished 15th after the two runs today to advance to the semifinals, through 22 of the 25 competitors moved to the next stage. Jones will need to improve to make the final with the top 12 racing for the medals.

First medals won

*Not for New Zealand, but still.

Earlier, Kazakhstan became the first country to get on the podium at this Games. Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev claimed bronze in the 10m mixed air rifle.

China became the first nation to claim gold – topping the leaderboard with two already – by winning the women’s synchronised 3m springboard, and 10m mixed air rifle.