Paris Olympics 2024 Day 1 LIVE: The Olympic Games in Paris kicked off in grand style on July 26, featuring an impressive athletes’ parade along the River Seine. Highlights of the opening ceremony included cultural displays, a cabaret performance by Lady Gaga, musical acts by top French artists such as Aya Nakamura, and a stunning performance by Celine Dion atop the Eiffel Tower. The ceremony was conceived by Thierry Reboul and directed by Thomas Jolly.
The focus has now shifted to the competition venues, where thousands of athletes are set to vie for medals in 32 different sports. These include traditional events such as athletics, swimming, and gymnastics, alongside newer disciplines like sport climbing and skateboarding. Prominent sports such as football, basketball, and hockey are also featured, in addition to individual sports requiring precision like archery and shooting.
The Indian contingent comprises 117 athletes, participating in various events including Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Equestrian, Golf, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Tennis.
Key Updates
Current Medal Tally at Paris Olympics
The Paris Olympics, marked by extravagant opening ceremonies, officially began on July 27, 2024. China secured the first gold medal in the shooting event.
July 27, 2024 22:43
Indian Men’s Hockey Team Starts Campaign with Victory
July 27, 2024 22:39
Indian Shooters Face Challenges with Food in Chateauroux
For Indian athletes participating in shooting events, finding food that suits their taste has proven difficult. Despite the availability of two Athletes’ Villages, neither has met their needs. Some athletes have turned to local South Asian restaurants, while others are cooking their own meals.
“Food is barely survivable, just managing somehow,” an Indian shooter told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Pistol coach Jaspal Rana has taken matters into his own hands.
“Hum toh khud banate hain (I cook for myself). Yesterday I had Rajma-Chawal. Got the (required) stuff from a grocery store and cooked at my apartment,” Rana shared, staying near City Centre.
A few athletes miss the vibrant atmosphere of the Games’ Village and would prefer to be in Paris.
“The shooting range is beautiful. (But) I was a little upset staying away from the main village. The current accommodation is not as I expected, but I am here for the competition and winning and not worrying about other stuff,” another Indian shooter said.
Indian shooters aim to end their medal drought from the past two Olympics. Manu Bhaker was the sole Indian shooter to advance beyond qualifications on Saturday, making it to the women’s 10m air pistol finals set for Sunday.
July 27, 2024 22:38
Olympic Team Manager of Top-Ranked Men’s Heavyweight Boxer Dies at Athletes’ Village
Lionel Fatu Elika, the team manager for the top-seeded men’s heavyweight boxer at the Paris Olympics, passed away at the athletes’ village in Saint-Denis on Friday morning local time. The Oceania regional group of Olympic national committees confirmed his death in a statement on behalf of its Samoan member.
The International Olympic Committee reported that Fatu Elika died of natural causes. In a statement on Saturday, the IOC extended its condolences to the Samoan NOC, his family, and friends.
Fatu Elika was with a Samoan team that includes a strong medal contender, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali.
“No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel,” Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote in an Instagram post, referring to his team leader as “Grand Master.”
Plodzicki-Faoagali will begin his 92-kilogram competition on Sunday with a round-of-16 bout against a Belgian opponent. The 25-year-old Australian-born boxer is competing in his second Summer Games.
Samoan Olympic body president Pauga Talalelei Pauga remarked, “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal.”
The Paris organizing committee expressed sadness over the loss of a member of the Samoan delegation, stating, “Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and his delegation.”
July 27, 2024 21:57
Evenepoel Wins Olympic Cycling Time-Trial Gold
Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel added an Olympic gold to his world title on Saturday, overcoming rain and a competitive field to win the 32.4km individual time trial in Paris. The 24-year-old was nearly 15 seconds ahead of Italian Filippo Ganna, who took silver, while fellow Belgian Wout van Aert earned bronze, finishing ahead of British contender Josh Tarling.
July 27, 2024 21:29
Satwik and Chirag Begin Campaign with Victory
July 27, 2024 21:18
Complete List of Paris Olympics Medal Winners
The 2024 Olympics are underway, with China winning the first gold medal in the Paris Games. More winners will be announced daily from July 27 to August 11. Below is a list of medal winners by day.
Cycling
Women’s Individual Time Trial
Gold: Grace Brown, Australia
Silver: Anna Henderson, Britain
Bronze: Chloe Dygert, United States
Diving
Women’s Synchronised 3m Springboard
Gold: Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen, China
Silver: Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook, United States
Bronze: Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen, Great Britain
Shooting
10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
Gold: Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao, China
Silver: Keum Jihyeon and Park Hajun, Korea
Bronze: Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev, Kazakhstan
July 27, 2024 20:17
Lakshya Sen Defeats Kevin Cordon of Guatemala in Olympic Debut Match
Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen won his Olympic debut match against Kevin Cordon of Guatemala in straight games on July 27. Sen, aged 22, triumphed 21-8, 22-20 in a match that lasted 42 minutes. Sen, a gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a bronze winner at the 2021 World Championships, will face Julien Carraggi of Belgium in his next group match on Monday.
Despite Cordon’s strong performance in the second game, Sen held his composure to win and start his campaign on a high note.
July 27, 2024 20:17
Harmeet Desai Advances in Men’s Singles Table Tennis
Indian table tennis player Harmeet Desai moved to the second round of the men’s singles competition with a 4-0 win over Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman. Desai won 11-7, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in a match that lasted exactly 30 minutes.
Desai, who was part of the team that won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022, faced no difficulties against his opponent, ranked 538 in the world. Known for his years of dedication, Desai has competed in numerous top global events and entered the Olympics after participating in three preparatory tournaments and personal training in Germany.
July 27, 2024 19:34
France Reaches Olympic Rugby Sevens Final After Defeating South Africa
Antoine Dupont led France to a 19-5 victory over South Africa, securing a spot in the final of the men’s Olympic rugby sevens tournament at Stade de France on July 27. Despite a scoreless first seven minutes, South Africa took the lead early in the second period through Tristan Leyds. France responded with a strong comeback, featuring two tries by Rayan Rebbadj and one by Jordan Sepho, to win in front of a full-capacity stadium.
July 27, 2024 19:27
Historic Olympic Streak Ends in a Surprise Upset as Hungarian Fencer Aron Szilagyi is Defeated
Hungarian fencer Aron Szilagyi’s quest for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal ended abruptly on July 27 when he lost his opening bout. Szilagyi, a three-time individual saber gold medallist, was defeated 15-8 by Canadian fencer Fares Arfa in the round of 32, marking a significant upset in the 2024 Olympics.
“I’m in a bit of shock right now, so I’m not even disappointed or angry at myself yet. It happened so fast, and I’ve never thought that my individual competition here in Paris would be so short,” Szilagyi admitted.
He added, “It’s really a shock. It’s like my opponent read me. I was an open book to him. In every touch, what he wanted, it happened. All his parries worked, all his attacks landed.”
Szilagyi, who had been on a 15-match winning streak in individual saber at the Olympics, was beaten by a fencer who had never competed in the Olympics before.
July 27, 2024 19:00
Djokovic Advances to Second Round of Olympics, Potential Nadal Clash Ahead
Novak Djokovic breezed through his Olympic tennis opener on July 27, defeating Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes. Djokovic is aiming for his first Olympic gold to add to his 24 Grand Slam titles. Should Rafael Nadal overcome Marton Fucsovics of Hungary, a highly anticipated 60th clash between the two rivals could be on the horizon.
Djokovic, who has only won a bronze medal at the Olympics (Beijing 2008), holds a 30-29 head-to-head record over Nadal. However, Nadal has an 8-2 record against
Djokovic in major finals.
Carlos Alcaraz also won his Olympic debut, beating Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3, 6-1 in 53 minutes. The 20-year-old Spaniard, competing in his first Olympics, will face Filip Krajinovic next.
July 27, 2024 18:57
Katie Ledecky Leads in 400m Freestyle Prelims
Katie Ledecky posted the fastest time in the women’s 400m freestyle preliminaries at the Paris Olympics, clocking 4:02.19. Ledecky, who has dominated the distance event in recent years, will face a competitive field in the final, including Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, who finished second in the preliminaries.
July 27, 2024 18:57
Eventing Dressage at Château de Versailles
The Eventing Dressage competition is taking place at Château de Versailles, a venue that will be dismantled after the Olympics. The event showcases riders and horses in a precision-focused dressage test as part of the broader equestrian eventing discipline.
July 27, 2024 18:54
Balraj Panwar Finishes Fourth in Men’s Single Sculls
Indian rower Balraj Panwar finished fourth in the Men’s Single Sculls event, narrowly missing out on direct qualification to the quarter-finals. Panwar will now compete in the repechage round for a chance to advance further in the competition.
Overall, the Paris Olympics have started with a blend of excitement, challenges, and historic moments.