The swimming pool was again the main focus of Australian interest, where the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team also added a bronze medal while, as ever, Simone Biles proved a delight to watch as the USA won the women’s gymnastics team final.
Swimming
Kaylee McKeown is the undisputed queen of the backstroke. There can be no doubt about it, after the Queenslander executed a near-perfect race to break the Olympic recored and win the 100m ahead of her nearest American rivals Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff. Ominously, that could just be the first of several gold medals at these Games for McKeown, who is also fancied in her remaining two individual races in Paris. A short time later, the relay team added a bronze to Australia’s collection. Read Kieran Pender’s report
Rugby sevens
There were scenes of utter heartbreak at the Stade de France after the women’s sevens team capped a disappointing day with defeat in the bronze medal match against the USA. Australia had one hand on a medal with just second remaining, but when Alex Sedrick broke through two tackles and raced nearly the full length of the field to score, their hopes evaporated. The conversion was a formality, and Australia will head home empty handed. Read Jack Snape’s report
Gymnastics
There are few, if any, superlatives left to describe the incomparable Simone Biles. The US gymnastics star has returned to the Olympic arena with trademark style and flair, and on Tuesday she won her fifth gold medal and helped the USA to a commanding victory in the women’s team final at Bercy Arena. Read Bryan Armen Graham’s report
Basketball
The Boomers have a fight on their hands to get out of the so-called “group of death” after going down to a brilliant Canada in the second of their pool matches in Lille. The Tokyo bronze medallists led at half-time but were unable to stave off the NBA-laden Canadians. Victory in their final pool game against Greece will likely see them through. Defeat, however, would leave them scrambling to qualify as one of the third best teams. Read the full report
Other bits
The concern about a shortage of food at the Games appears at an end, after Australia’s super heavyweight boxer Teremoana Junior endorsed the menu at his team’s private bistro, as additional supplies flood into the Village. Read Jack Snape’s report
The decision to forgo air conditioning in the athletes’ rooms in the Olympic Village in Paris had been made with the noblest intentions: to save the planet from the climate emergency. Read Dan Boffey’s report
A DJ and LGBTQ+ activist who performed during a controversial scene in the opening ceremony has said she is taking legal action after becoming the target of “an extremely violent campaign of cyber-harassment and defamation”. Read Jon Henley’s report
