Paris 2024 | Australia kicks off – Superpower leads medal tally after day one

She won medals in cycling and swimming. Australia consistently scores well in the latter sport. The United States also had five medals after the first day, but has won only one gold so far. That's why the country is currently tolerant of Australia in the medal table.

In the women’s time trial, Grace Brown crushed the competition. The Australian made short work of everyone and left the entire field without a chance. The 32-year-old Brown was more than a minute and a half faster than second-placed Anna Henderson. The favourite Chloe Dygert also failed to match Brown’s top time. Ellen van Dijk finished 11th.

Australia made a real impression in the pool. Ariarne Titmus took gold in the women's 400m freestyle. She beat Summer McIntosh of Canada and star player Katie Ledecky of the United States.

The American men dominated the 4x100m freestyle. Australia, with Jack Cartwright, Kyle Chalmers, Flynn Southam and Kai Taylor, finished second. Italy surprisingly took bronze. Elijah Winnington took silver in the 400m freestyle.

The women's relay teams also competed in the water. The Australian women took gold here. Meg Harris, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Molly O'Callaghan defeated the United States and China. The Netherlands, surprise world champions in Doha earlier this year, did not qualify for the final.

Belgium also got off to a great start. Our southern neighbours owed it to the great performances of Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert in the time trial. Evenepoel won gold while van Aert took bronze with both front wheels locked.