France, the host nation for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, secured a gold medal on the opening day of the games. This achievement came during a thrilling rugby sevens final, where Antoine Dupont led his team to an impressive victory over the two-time defending champions from Fiji, winning 28-7 at the Stade de France.
Fiji, which had previously won all 17 of their Olympic matches, was the first to score with a try by Joseva Talacolo. However, French fans had reason to celebrate as Rayan Rebbadj, who had previously scored two tries in the semi-final against South Africa, dived between defenders to equalize just before halftime. Dupont, who came off the bench, then assisted goalkeeper Aaron Grandidier Nkanang to put France ahead 21-7. The match concluded in an electrifying manner, with Dupont himself scoring a try at the end, sending the Stade de France into a frenzy. Fiji had to settle for the silver medal, while South Africa claimed bronze after a tense match against Australia, winning 26-19.
American rugby player Perry Baker also made headlines as the all-time leading scorer in Olympic rugby sevens, after scoring his 10th try in a contest against Ireland, which the USA lost 17-14.
On the wet and slippery roads of Paris, Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel won gold in the men’s individual time trial, while Australia’s Grace Brown took victory in the women’s event. Evenepoel, who already holds a world championship title, completed the 32.4 km course in 36 minutes and 12.16 seconds, claiming the gold medal 14.92 seconds ahead of Italy’s Filippo Ganna.
In the women’s road race, Brown showcased her dominance by winning Australia’s first gold at this year’s Olympics. She finished the race a remarkable 1 minute and 31.59 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Britain’s Anna Henderson. Several riders fell on the wet and cobbled corners, with world champion Chloe Dygert settling for bronze.
In judo, Japan’s Natsumi Tsunoda secured gold in the women’s under 48 kg (105.8 pounds) category, defeating reigning world champion Baasankhuu Bavuudorj from Mongolia, who took silver. France’s Shirine Boukli, who earned the country’s first medal at this home event, shared bronze with Sweden’s Tara Babulfath. In the men’s under 60 kg (132.2 pounds) category, Kazakhstan’s Yeldos Smetov took gold, while France’s Luka Mkheidze won silver, and bronze medals went to Japan’s Nagayama Ryuju and Spain’s Francisco Garrigos.
The 2024 Paris Olympics has started with an exciting array of performances and is sure to provide many more unforgettable moments in the coming days.