Paris Olympics 2024: Plenty of medals already on offer as day one of competition gets underway
Australia made a brilliant start to the Paris Games, snaring three gold medals on an action-packed opening day. Recap the best of the day one action here!
Short finishes second in heat
In the men’s 400m freestyle, Sam Short finishes in second in his heat, with Elijah Winnington up next.
Boomers maintain lead at the half
Although Spain came back in the second period, the Boomers continued to push and took a seven-point lead at half time. Josh Giddey has been influential throughout the contest so far with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Perkins qualifies
Titmus and Ledcky go through and the first and second fastest but Perkins alos makes the finals taking the fifth spot. To Aussies through to the gold medal swim.
Heartbreak for Madison Keeney & Annabelle Smith
They needed a 70 in their final dive to grab a sivler medal but Smith has a horror launch off the board and they score 48. Attempting a forward 2½ somersaults with a twist Smith went wide abd lost all synchronisation. There’s tears from Smith and it’s tough scenes finsihing just 10 points outside a medal.
Spain roar back
They went on a 10point run at one stage to clos the gap to twp but Australia have stabilised. They lead 45-39 but Patty Mills has been benched after getting himself into foul trouble.
Titmus v Ledecky
She leads through the first 50m
Then through the 100, 150, 200 and 250,
But Ledecky is closing and it’s a reversal of Tokyo as she swims over the top of her to take the win.
Titmus finishes second .3 seconds behind.
400m underway
It’s all about Ledecky v Titmus but they’re in action in the next heat. Rising Star Summer McIntosh but it’s the New Zealnder Erika Fairweather who takes the heat ahead of the Candaian.
Australian Jamie Perkins swims a PB 4.03.30 a to storm home third and will now face an anxious wait to see if that’s enough.
Boomers update
There’s some push and shove as Josh Green and Usman Garuba of Spain exchagne some fiery words after an illegal block from Garuba.
Garuba’s frustraions might be more with the scoreboard with the Aussies up 31-17
Diving
Maddison Keeney and Annable Smith are in action in the 3m syncronised final.
It’s a 47.40 which has them seventh after their first dive though it’s early days.
Both make it through
McKeon qualifies fourht fastest and Perkins eight for the semifinal which is a strong result for the Aussies.
