Key events
Badminton kicks off our day, with matches starting at 08:30 local time. Beach volleyball, 3×3 basketball, golf, volleyball, handball, and shooting will commence at 09:00.
After nearly a week, the two giants of global sports are finally at the summit of the medal standings. China leads in golds due to impressive outings in shooting and diving, while the USA commands the overall medal count, albeit with only a quarter of these being gold.
The swimming events encapsulate Team USA’s Olympics experience thus far, boasting 20 medals but just four being gold. Australia is in a strong position, having achieved the top podium finish five times already.
Historically, France has only secured a top five finish at an Olympics once since World War II, that being in London 1948, but the hosts are poised for an impressive outcome after a robust start.
In total, 29 national anthems have resonated throughout the events, encompassing 50 National Olympic Committees receiving medals. Among these is Guatemala—a regular participant since 1968—who previously had only one silver medal to their credit until now, as trap shooter Jean Pierre Brol became their first bronze medallist, quickly followed by trap shooter Adriana Ruano, winning Guatemala’s inaugural Olympic gold medal.
Ruano initially pursued gymnastics, representing Guatemala at the 2010 Pan American Championships, but a serious back injury shifted her focus to shooting.
Preamble – Day Seven Schedule
Jonathan Howcroft
Greetings to all! Welcome to the live coverage of the seventh official day of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
The sixth day was highlighted by another stunning display from Simone Biles who confirmed her greatness with gold in the women’s gymnastics individual all-around. In a similar vein of excellence, Katie Ledecky also made her mark in the pool, contributing to more gold medals for Australia, alongside a second triumph of the Games for the rising star, Summer McIntosh.
However, amid the victories, controversies and surprises abounded. In the men’s doubles at Roland Garros, there was a heartbreaking loss for Andy Murray and potential retirement for Rafael Nadal, not to mention a shocking upset in the women’s singles with hot favorite Iga Swiatek falling short in the semi-finals. Women’s boxing has taken center stage due to the involvement of a boxer previously ineligible by gender standards. Meanwhile, a Covid cluster is on the rise (despite a lack of significant concern). Additionally, investigations into the performance of Chinese swimmers continue to create buzz.
What exciting events does today hold for us?
Medal Events
🥇 Shooting – women’s 50m rifle three positions (from 9:30)
🥇 Rowing – men’s & women’s pairs / men’s & women’s LWT double sculls (from 10:42)
🥇 Diving – men’s 3m springboard synchro (from 11:00)
🥇 Sailing – women’s & men’s skiff / women’s & men’s windsurfing (from 12:13)
🥇 Trampoline – women’s (from 13:50)
🥇 Equestrian – team jumping (from 14:00)
🥇 Badminton – mixed doubles (from 15:00)
🥇 Archery – mixed team (from 16:43)
🥇 Judo – women’s 78kg & men’s 100kg (from 16:00)
🥇 Tennis – mixed doubles gold (from 19:00)
🥇 Fencing – men’s epee team (from 19:30)
🥇 Trampoline – men’s (from 19:50)
🥇 Swimming – men’s 50m freestyle, 200m IM / women’s 200m backstroke (from 20:30)
🥇 Athletics – men’s 10,000m (from 21:20)
🥇 BMX Racing – men’s & women’s (from 21:35)
*(All times listed are Paris local)
Simon Burnton’s day-by-day guide:
Trampoline
Many Olympic sports resemble hard work, involving rigorous training and physical intensity. Yet trampoline stands out as unusually joyous: watching it alone can uplift anyone’s spirits. However, make sure to enjoy it while you can, as Team GB’s Bryony Page aims to complete the collection after securing silver in Rio and bronze in Tokyo.
Windsurfing
The sport has evolved significantly since the last Olympics, with the RS:X being replaced by the striking iQFoil. The new board is now connected to hydrofoils that elevate it above the water at speed. The Dutch generally excel in this sport, but keep an eye on France’s Nicolas Goyard, whose brother Thomas claimed silver in Tokyo, and the UK’s Emma Wilson, who is seeking to improve upon her bronze from three years ago.
Judo
Teddy Riner, France’s illustrious judoka with three Olympic golds and 11 world championships under his belt, aims for yet another medal. Judo holds a special place in France, with approximately 10% of eight-year-olds participating regularly. Regardless of the outcome, Riner will undoubtedly be celebrated as a national hero. The 35-year-old plans to continue competing up until Los Angeles: “Why would I stop when I enjoy it so much?”
Additional exciting highlights include our first glimpse of the athletics track at the Stade de France. The only track and field medal today belongs to the men’s 10,000m, while other significant events are the initial rounds of the decathlon and qualifications for the open women’s high jump and triple jump.
In the swimming arena, Kaylee McKeown strives for her fifth career gold in the 200m backstroke. The BMX Racing finals promise thrilling spectacles and remarkable stories, highlighted by athletes such as Mariana Pajon, Alise Willoughby, and Saya Sakakibara. The men’s football quarter-finals showcase a France vs Argentina grudge match. At Roland Garros, both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz compete in the semi-finals.
I might have inadvertently missed a few noteworthy moments in this brief overview, so please share your plans with me via email at: <a href=\"mailto:jonathan.howcroft.casual@guardian.co.uk\">jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com</a> or on X <a href=\"https://x.com/JPHowcroft\">@jphowcroft</a> if you’re still browsing through the remnants of the post-Twitter era.
I’ll be available for the initial hours of the blog from Australia, after which I’ll pass the reins to Martin Belam in the UK.
