China shines on the first day of Paris Olympics

China shined on the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first to win a gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event and securing another gold in the women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard.

China also took the bronze for the Women's 4x100m Free Relay with swimmers Yufei Zhang, Yujie Cheng, Qingfeng Wu and Yiting Yu.

France’s Auriane Mallo-Breton led 8-3 against Kong Man Wai Vivian in the Women’s Fencing final until Kong made an epic comeback, tying 12-12 as time expired, then winning with a sudden-death hit. 

Kong is the first woman from Hong Kong, China to win an Olympic fencing gold and the first from her National Olympic Committee to win gold since 1996. Hungary’s Eszter Muhari won bronze.

Athletes Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao secured the victory with a 16-12 win over South Korea’s Keum Jihyeon and Park Hajun,Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen triumphed in the Women’s Synchronized 3-Meter Springboard, scoring 337.68 points. 

Chang and Chen had previously won gold in the last three world championships and entered the Olympics as favorites. The United States’ Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook took silver with 314.64 points, while the British team of Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen earned bronze with 302.28 points

Team USA celebrated its first gold in the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, while Australia’s Ariarne Titmus beat American Katie Ledecky to secure gold and set an Olympic record in the women’s relay.

Host nation France claimed its first gold in the Men’s Rugby Sevens by defeating Fiji, a team with a 17-game winning streak and an unbeaten Olympic history, and also celebrated a basketball victory against Brazil.

Rainy weather caused the postponement of Skateboarding and Outdoor Tennis events, while travel disruptions due to sabotage on France’s high-speed train lines affected attendees. Despite these challenges, the first day of the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased remarkable athletic achievements.