The first gold medals of the 2024 Paris Olympics went to China, thanks to its mixed air rifle team and women synchronised divers. Australia later claimed a gold in the women's cycling.
Chinese shooters Yuting Huang and Lihao Sheng were first to step onto the podium after the 10m air rifle mixed team event, which was decided on Saturday morning.
They outscored South Korea's Jihyeon Keum and Hajun Park, leaving them with silver. Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev of Kazakhstan claimed bronze.
China followed up its success on the shooting range with victory for its women's synchronised 3m springboard diving pair, Yani Chang and Yiwen Chen.
The United States, expected to vie with China for most medals overall, also got on the table with silver for Kassidy Cook and Sarah Bacon.
Scarlett Mew Jensen and Yasmin Harper of the United Kingdom took bronze.
Later in the day, Australia became the second country to claim gold thanks to cyclist Grace Brown in the women's individual time trials.
She was followed by Anna Henderson of the UK in second place and American Chloe Dygert in third.
Weather woes
A score of other events are scheduled for the first day of competition at the Paris Games, with medals also due in judo, rugby sevens and 400m freestyle swimming.
But the men's street skateboarding, which had been due to take place on Saturday, had to be postponed to Monday due to persistent rain in the French capital.
Paris Olympics become a matter of medals after stars reign on the Seine
The downpours also disrupted play at the opening rounds of tennis at Roland Garros, with action on the 10 uncovered outside courts pushed back by a few hours, organisers said.
Badminton, rowing, cycling, hockey and basketball also get under way on Saturday – along with the surfing competition, which is being held nearly 16,000 kilometres kilometres away on the French Pacific island of Tahiti.
(with AFP)
