Andy Murray and Dan Evans pulled off a miraculous comeback, saving five successive match points to add another day or two to Murray’s already remarkable career.
Having been utterly outplayed for the first hour of their doubles match against Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel, the Britons exploded into life and snatched victory via a super tie-break.
Evans and Murray leapt across the court in undiluted joy, punching the air, as the dejected Japanese packed their bags and slouched off the court.
Murray had been lacklustre for much of the contest, losing his serve three times in succession and miscuing basic volleys.
But he has always been a master of winning ugly – indeed, that was the title of the book written by his early coach Brad Gilbert – and he stirred himself at just the right moment.
The atmosphere on Court Suzanne Lenglen – the second-string arena at Roland Garros – was less than electric, with perhaps 40 per cent of the 10,000 seats filled.
But there were enough people here to get behind Murray in what they knew could be his final act as a tennis professional. As the contest tightened, he began to strike the ball with more authority. And then, when he and Evans found themselves at 9-4 down in the super tie-break, it was as if the emergency light switched on inside his head.
The Japanese were just one shot away, but Murray produced his first ace of the contest to save the first match point, and then he and Evans went into overdrive. A double-fault from Nishikori didn’t help, but this was the ultimate feat of escapology. If Murray was going to go down, he was determined to go down fighting. And in the end, he didn’t go down at all.
Andy Murray and Dan Evans defy the odds: As it happened
09:10 PM BST
Adam Peaty speaking to the BBC
It has been a very long way back. I look at the score there and you would never think in your wildest dreams that it would be 59 seconds to win it.
I gave it my absolute all. I executed it as well as I could. It’s not about the end goal, it’s about the process. It doesn’t matter what time it says on the scoreboard, I think in my heart I have already won.
I’m so happy that I can race against the best in the world and still come joint-second. In my heart I have won, these are happy tears. I gave my absolute best every single day and I cannot be upset about that.
I’m almost an older man here now. I can’t have that relentless pursuit every single day without a sacrifice of some sort – they come in every single form. It’s very hard to compete with the younger ones, so I’m very happy with that.
09:02 PM BST
Big day tomorrow for GB’s Equestrian team
Cross-country at Château de Versailles 😍
Our eventing team hold onto gold medal position with a total of 82.5, while Laura Collett and London 52 sit in second in the individual competition, just 0.5 behind the leader.
All to play for tomorrow.#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/dUNIjdrGpQ
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 28, 2024
08:56 PM BST
Silver for Peaty
It was a brilliant race and it looked like Peaty was going to do it but it is Italian Nicolo Martinenghi who wins the gold medal. Peaty takes joint-silver alongside Nick Fink of the USA. It all came down to the touch and the Italian gets it. Just two hundredths of a second separate the three fastest men in that final. Martinenghi won in a time of 59.03 with Peaty and Fink at 59.05. For more reaction to Peaty’s silver, you can follow our dedicated live blog here.
08:51 PM BST
Peaty time
Here we go, can Adam Peaty win a third straight Olympic gold in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke?
08:48 PM BST
Late, late drama in the hockey
Inside the final two minutes, GB’s men have equalised. They were putting huge pressure on South Africa and finally got their reward as Rupert Shipperley scored from a short corner. The game has just finished and it ends all square. GB won their first game this morning 4-0 against Spain and now have a draw in their second match.
08:47 PM BST
Men’s 100m Backstroke semi-finals
Team GB have two competitors across the two semi-finals. In the first Jonny Marshall finishes eighth so will not be progressing to the final.
In the second Oliver Morgan finishes third and has qualified for the final.
08:37 PM BST
Never write him off
As we have seen so often over the years, Judy Murray was in the stands watching Andy and Dan Evans. After the match, she told the BBC:
I was mentally working out which flight I would get home tonight. But you can never write him off.
08:35 PM BST
Men’s Hockey
With just seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, GB have conceded against South Africa and now trail 2-1.
08:25 PM BST
Women’s 100m breaststroke
GB’s Angharad Evans finishes fourth in the second semi-final and she is through into the final. She was lagging behind at the turn but a great second 50 has secured her place in the final. She is sixth fastest across the two semi-finals. South African Tatjana Smith is the fastest into the final.
08:23 PM BST
Pure joy
08:10 PM BST
Equaliser in the hockey
GB’s men have levelled it against South Africa through Phillip Roper. 1-1.
08:09 PM BST
At least one more game in Murray’s career
08:06 PM BST
Men’s Hockey
The GB team are back under way in the second half and trail South Africa 1-0.
08:03 PM BST
Scott and Richards through
In the Men’s 200m Freestyle semi-finals both Brits, Duncan Scott and Matt Richards, are through to the final. Richards finished fourth in the first semi-final and goes through seventh fastest whereas Scott came second in the second semi-final, going through as the second fastest into the final.
07:53 PM BST
Murray and Evans through
07:47 PM BST
Gutting for Litchfield
Over in the pool GB’s Max Litchfield has agonisingly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley final. Home favourite Léon Marchand took a dominant gold. You can follow all the swimming action with our dedicated blog here.
In the hockey GB are 1-0 down against South Africa.
In the boxing Patrick Brown has been knocked out by Brazilian Keno Machado in the Men’s 92kg Preliminaries.
07:41 PM BST
GB win
How have they done that? They were down and out so many times but Andy Murray and Dan Evans are through. Murray’s career lives to fight another day. At least one more game of Murray to come. A second win of the day for Evans after winning in the singles earlier.
07:40 PM BST
GB now lead
Nishikori’s return is long and after saving five match points, GB now have a match point of their own.
07:39 PM BST
Parity
Evans’ fantastic shot means it is now 9-9. What a fightback.
07:38 PM BST
Japan faltering
Numerous match points have passed Japan by and now it is 9-8. That is what pressure does. Serve is now with GB.
07:36 PM BST
Just long from Nishikori
He comes so close to landing the winning point but GB take the point. Japan still lead 9-6 and it is another match point.
07:35 PM BST
Murray ace
Not yet. Japan 9-5.
07:35 PM BST
Japan on the verge
Murray and Evans are in real trouble. Japan now lead 9-4 and are just one point away from victory. Is this the last point we will ever see from Andy Murray?
07:32 PM BST
Double fault from Evans
Is that curtains for Team GB? Evans double faults at possible the worst moment and Japan are just three points away.
Japan lead 7-3.
07:30 PM BST
Japan inch ahead
Nishikori and Daniel take a 5-3 lead and are on serve.
07:28 PM BST
Tight
It is 3-3 in this deciding tie-break. Murray is on serve.
07:23 PM BST
GB interest elsewhere
The men’s hockey team is currently playing against South Africa after winning their opening game against Spain 4-0 yesterday. It is still 0-0 in the first quarter.
Meanwhile in the 92kg boxing preliminaries Patrick Brown is taking on Brazilian Keno Machado.
07:21 PM BST
GB win second set
GB have three set points but Japan win the next two points. Evans to serve and GB win the second set. We go to a 10-point match tie-break to decide the match. Instead of a traditional set, it is a race effectively to 10 points.
07:19 PM BST
GB in control
Murray and Evans are on the verge of the second set, just one point away.
07:16 PM BST
GB bounce back
Murray and Evans win three straight points to take a 3-2 lead.
07:14 PM BST
Japan in control
First two points in the tie-break go to the Japanese duo.
They lead 2-0.
07:13 PM BST
Tie break incoming
Murray’s return from Nishikori’s second serve goes just out and we will have a tie-break. First to seven wins.
07:04 PM BST
Three-Peaty?
In the pool this evening Adam Peaty is aiming for his third consecutive Olympic gold in the 100m Breaststroke. You can follow all the action from the swimming with our dedicated blog here, and we will also be following the action.
07:00 PM BST
Murray holds serve
Murray is under pressure on his serve as he faces break point but Evans comes to his rescue to take it to deuce. GB then win the next two points and take the lead for the first time.
GB lead 5-4 in the second set and are one game away from taking set two.
That’s the first time Murray has held serve since the first game of the match, and he celebrates with a big “Let’s go”. Bear in mind that if the British pair can somehow snatch this set, there will be a first-to-10-point super tie-break to decide the result, not a deciding set.
06:54 PM BST
Break for GB
That is exactly what Murray and Evans needed getting a crucial break to bring it back to 4-4. Murray, who has been poor on serve, needs to find some form on his serve here.
06:52 PM BST
Women’s Sevens
GB have just suffered a heavy defeat to Australia, losing 36-5. How that game changed from GB taking the lead in the first couple of minutes to a chastening loss. Two games in and it is one win and one defeat for the GB women.
06:47 PM BST
Japan in control
They hold serve and now lead 4-2 in this second set. Murray and Evans are in real trouble here.
06:41 PM BST
Women’s Sevens
Over at the Stade de France, it has been all Australia since GB scored the opening try. Australia have scored three unanswered tries to lead 19-5 at the break.
06:40 PM BST
Break for Japan
Just as GB started to get momentum, Murray is broken for the third time today and Japan lead 3-2 in this second set, with their serve to come.
06:39 PM BST
GB break back
They were two games down in the second set but they have broken back to bring it back to 2-2.
A welcome fillip for the Brits as they break back on the Nishikori serve, moving to 2-2 in set two. Some acknowledgement from the fans, but the ongoing flatness of this atmosphere is only being underlined by the wild French roars and chants that are floating over from the adjoining courts. I can’t quite tell whether they’re for Clara Burel on Court Six, Varvara Gracheva on Court Seven, or both.
06:31 PM BST
Women’s Sevens
Team GB are in action in their second game of the day after beating Ireland earlier today. They have just begun their game against Australia, who have just seen a player receive a yellow card. GB have punished them by scoring the first try of the game through Heather Cowell.
06:29 PM BST
GB in trouble
Things are going from bad to worse for Andy Murray and Dan Evans. They are broken in the opening game of the second set and Japan hold serve.
Japan currently lead 6-2 2-0.
A first acknowledgement from the crowd there that they are watching a match with a subtext. Some of the British fans tried to get behind Murray and give him a boost, but that’s still a seventh straight game for the Japanese pair. The stands are maybe 40 per cent full, if that.
06:28 PM BST
The stars on show in Paris
Plenty of support for the USA:
06:19 PM BST
Japan take the first set
Not a good start for Andy Murray and Dan Evans as they lose the first set 6-2 after just 30 minutes of play. Murray will not want this next set to be the last he plays in his career.
A doubles match can get away from you quickly, so short do the points tend to be, and that’s what happening to the British pairing. Only 30 minutes for the Japanese to tie up a dominant first set. They’ve been on it. By contrast, Evans and Murray were barely present. Huge improvement required if they are to eke out another 24 hours of Murray’s career.
06:16 PM BST
Japan break again
Japan have three break points on Dan Evans’ serve. They fail to take the first one but take the second to take a second break in the set. Kei Nishikori is playing well here, despite losing to GB’s Jack Draper in the singles earlier today.
They lead 5-2 and are just one game away on serve from taking the first set.
06:09 PM BST
Japan break
Japan have a break point on Murray’s serve, like they did on Evans’, which they fail to convert but they get another, which this time they take.
They lead 3-2 and are now on serve.
06:00 PM BST
GB lead Japan 2-1
Japan have a break point on Dan Evans’ serve but GB to take it to deuce and then go on to win the game.
Somewhat low-key beginning to this match in front of a half-empty stadium. Most of the fans went for a toilet break after watching French favourite Gael Monfils lose in the previous match, so the whole occasion feels rather lacking in atmosphere. But it’s early, and could yet boil up.
05:51 PM BST
The match is under way
And Murray and Evans hold to 30. Good enough start.
05:49 PM BST
Murray’s last match?
Battle about to be joined on Court Suzanne Lenglen, the second-string arena at Roland Garros, for Andy Murray in what could be his final professional match. Playing alongside Dan Evans against the Japanese pairing of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori.
05:38 PM BST
Much deserved
Helen Reeves, who won bronze in the K1 event in Athens in 2004, was commentating on the event for the BBC and here is what she said about Woods’ bronze:
Without that 50-second penalty, Ricarda Funk would have still gone behind Kimberley Woods!
What a way to start for Woods! She is like a different paddler. She has paddled brilliantly and upped her game throughout, run-on-run.
I felt really confident coming out of the heats for her. All of the work they have been doing has all come together and it is very well deserved.
05:34 PM BST
Top three in Women’s K1 final
-
Jessica Fox (Australia) 96.08
-
Klaudia Zwolinska (Poland) 97.53
-
Kimberley Woods (Great Britain) 98.94
05:28 PM BST
Bronze for Woods
Dramatic scenes! The defending champion Ricarda Funk hits a gate towards the end of her run which means she is out of contention completely with the time penalty. That means Kimberley Woods takes the bronze medal, Team GB’s third medal of the Games so far. Jess Fox takes gold and Klaudia Zwolinska silver.
05:24 PM BST
Woods pushed down
Zwolinska sets the second fastest time, which means Kimberley Woods is down into third with the defending champion Ricarda Funk the last to come.
05:21 PM BST
Woods second
She lost a little bit of time through the final few gates and comes home in second in a time of 98.94, just under three seconds behind Jess Fox. Woods is delighted though as she came across the line. That time is a second quicker than she went in qualifying for the final. That shows how good a time Fox’s was. Two competitors remain in Zwolinska and Funk. If Zwolinska is slower than Woods then the Brit is guaranteed a bronze medal at least.
05:19 PM BST
Wood starts well
She is up on Fox through the first time-check and just through the second. Can she complete the job?
05:17 PM BST
Woods up next
Here comes GB’s Kimberley Woods. She came into this final third fastest but she has a job on her hands usurping Jessica Fox, who has set a fantastic time to lead. Ana Satila of Brazil is second with Italy’s Stefanie Horn third.
05:03 PM BST
Nadal through
Rafael Nadal nails one of his favourite shots – a forehand up the line – to conclude a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 win over Marton Fucsovics. Some brilliant points in there, but also a sleepy patch early in the second set. He hits a few loose balls into the stands to celebrate. Djokovic to come in round two!
05:02 PM BST
Fox fastest
That is a clinical run from Jess Fox, who has shown there why she is ranked number one. She goes fastest by more than five seconds. Seven more to come, including France’s Camille Prigent who is up next.
04:58 PM BST
Four down, eight to go
In the women’s kayak singles final we have had four of the 12 competitors complete their runs with Slovenia’s Eva Tercelj currently in the lead. They are going off in the order they qualified with Australia’s Jess Fox, who is ranked number one in the world, going off next.
04:50 PM BST
Women’s team archery – gold medal match
Incredible scenes as South Korea have beaten China after a three arrow shoot-off. The margins of victory were so fine but it is South Korea who take the gold medal after they are closest to the target. There was a short delay as the officials checked and confirmed it was South Korea. Plenty of tears from their trio as they claim victory in an incredible match.
04:47 PM BST
Women’s kayak singles final
Corinna Kuhnle of Austria, who was the slowest qualifier for the final, has just completed her run in a time of 103.09, which includes four penalty seconds. Remember GB’s Kimberley Woods is out third from last.
04:44 PM BST
‘Bob the cap catcher’ dives into the Olympic pool
A random man wearing an eye-catching pair of trunks became a hero at the Paris Olympics after volunteering to dive into the pool to retrieve a cap.
The hilarious moment happened after the stranded swimming cap caused a delay in-between the preliminary heats in the 100m women’s breaststroke.
To read the full story, click here.
04:34 PM BST
Women’s kayak singles
We are just ten minutes away from the start of the women’s kayak singles final, where Team GB will be hoping for a medal from Kimberley Woods. Here is the starting list for the final, with Woods out third from last after qualifying third fastest (slowest qualifier into the final goes first, fastest last):
Corinna Kuhnle (Austria)
Maialen Chourraut (Spain)
Eva Tercelj (Slovenia)
Luuka Jones (New Zealand)
Jessica Fox (Australia)
Camille Prigent (France)
Eliska Mintalova (Slovakia)
Ana Satila (Brazil)
Stefanie Horn (Italy)
Kimberley Woods (GB)
Klaudia Zwolinska (Poland)
Ricarda Funk (Germany)
04:24 PM BST
Women’s Cross-Country
No medal for Team GB but a noble effort from Evie Richards, who only returned from concussion just five weeks ago.
Inspiring the next generation! 🥰
Evie Richards finished 5th in the mountain bike cross-country, then waited for her 19-year-old teammate Ella MacLean-Howell racing in her first Olympics!
It’s the first time we have had two riders in the women’s cross-country since Sydney 2000!… pic.twitter.com/Fj4sPUBscS
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 28, 2024
04:13 PM BST
Tennis
Rafael Nadal has been taken into a third set by Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, who has won the second set 6-4 after Nadal took the first set 6-1. Into a deciding set they go at Roland Garros.
04:03 PM BST
Over at Roland Garros
Spinetingling moment at Roland Garros as Rafael Nadal battled his way through a lung-bursting rally that left his opponent Marton Fucsovics doubled over in exhaustion, then roared and performed one of his haymaker punches of celebration. Every soul in this packed 15,000-seat arena chanted “Rafa, Rafa”. With Nadal leading by a set but trailing in the second, there may not be too many more memories like this to savour.
03:59 PM BST
Women’s kayak singles
Team GB’s Kimberley Woods has qualified for the kayak singles final. After finishing 10th in Tokyo, she goes into the final as the third fastest qualifier behind Germany’s Ricarda Funk and Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska. Woods came through in a time of 99.87 to finish less than 0.6 seconds behind Funk.
The final starts at 16:45 (BST).
03:54 PM BST
Dan Evans speaking after his victory in the first round
I took a tumble and winded myself a bit. I am just a bit sore at the minute, so I will go and get checked out and then jump in the ice bath.
On whether he feared it could impact the doubles:
I was concerned about it for that whole match. I do not want to be the one that is pulling out on him. We agreed it was doubles first this week and when I was rolling on the clay, that is what was going through my head.
03:50 PM BST
Maverick in the house
03:46 PM BST
Equestrian Eventing
Great Britain remain top of the team eventing standings after the cross country despite a penalty against Ros Canter, which has cut their lead. Canter was given 15 jumping penalties to drop from sixth to 21st in the individual and cut Great Britain’s lead to 4.7 over France. The British team have asked for a review following Canter’s penalties.
Team GB are looking to defend their Olympic title for the first time since 1972.
In the individual standings, Laura Collett is second, just 0.5 off current leader Michael Jung of Germany. Tom McEwen is sixth.
The jumping final comes tomorrow with GB well-placed to secure gold like they did in Tokyo.
03:37 PM BST
Boulter out
Unfortunately Great Britain’s hopes of a medal in the women’s singles is over at the first hurdle as Katie Boulterhas been knocked out in the first round. She was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. More disappointment for Team GB after Cameron Norrie withdrew earlier today with a “mystery injury”, but Dan Evans has just booked his place in the second round.
03:30 PM BST
Glory for France
Just grabbed a few words with a tearful David Lappartient. The UCI president had just given Ferrand-Prevot a pre-podium hug. He described her achievement as a “beautiful moment” for France and said the amazing atmosphere (the crowds are still going berserk, much as they did at the Stade de France last night) vindicated the decision to hold the event in the Paris environs. Tom Pidcock – who is favourite for the men’s event tomorrow – had criticised the course as “bland” and “not really mountain bike”.
03:25 PM BST
Evans through
He was struggling with injury earlier, which would have been of huge concern to Andy Murray who he is playing with in the doubles later today, but Dan Evans has beaten Tunisia’s Moez Echargui in three sets 6-2 4-6 6-2 to progress to the second round in Paris. Evans will face either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Zizou Bergs in the next round.
Meanwhile Katie Boulter is on the verge of defeat in her first round match against Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
Boulter lost the first set 6-4 and is 5-2 down in the second.
03:15 PM BST
Post of the day?
03:08 PM BST
Women’s Rugby Sevens
Great Britain have been in action this afternoon against Ireland and they have won 21-12 to secure victory in their opening game of Group B. Tries from Emma Uren, Jasmine Joyce and Isla-Norman Bell led GB to the win. Their second game will take place in just over three hours against Australia at 6.30pm (BST).
02:59 PM BST
Medal check – Who’s on top?
The Aussies still top the table with five medals – three gold, two silver. China are in second with four medals – three golds and a bronze. South Korea and France are in a tie for third with two gold, two silver and a bronze each.
Team GB currently sit in 12th with a silver and a bronze.
02:46 PM BST
Ferrand-Prevot takes Olympic MTB cross country gold
Wonderful scenes as Pauline Ferrand-Prevot adds the Olympic MTB cross country title to her already glittering palmares. The French favourite has already won the world title five times, plus world titles in cyclocross, gravel, road and marathon mountain bike. It’s France’s second gold of the Games and also, incidentally, the biggest win of Ineos Grenadiers’ season, the British team having signed Ferrand-Prevot a couple of years ago with the express intention of helping her to Olympic gold on home soil. Richards finishes fifth, an improvement of two places on her Tokyo finish. Batten pips Rissveds to second and silver.
02:33 PM BST
Batten and Rissveds locked in battle for silver
Raucous fans sing La Marseillaise as home favourite Pauline Ferrand-Prevot crosses the line for the penultimate time. With one lap remaining, her lead is up to 3min17sec over the American and the Swede who are locked in a great battle for second. Ferrand-Prevot could probably stop and walk her bike to the finish if she suffered a mechanical now. Richards is fifth at 3min36sec, still 20sec off that duo fighting for silver. If she has anything left in the tank, this is the time to use it.
02:21 PM BST
Richards in 6th, Ferrand-Prevot unstoppable
Don’t know whether Evie Richards is superstitious (she’s wearing 13) but she has had a bit of luck here. She has been dropped by the group she was with but she is actually closer to the podium than she was if that makes sense. That’s because Loana Lecomte, who had been riding third, is now out of the race following a crash. And Puck Pieterse, who had been second, has had a mechanical and dropped to seventh. With two 4.4km laps remaining, Ferrand-Prevot’s monstrous lead is up to 2min50sec over the American Haley Batten and the Swedish rider Alessandra Keller. Richards is 6th, 20sec off a podium.
02:14 PM BST
Andy Murray holds his breath
Some flutters here for British tennis fans as Dan Evans falls and grazes his knee and elbow. Now taking a medical timeout for running repairs. Andy Murray probably watching on anxiously ahead of their scheduled doubles match later.
02:10 PM BST
Women’s Hockey
Great Britain’s women have suffered defeat at the hands of Spain in hockey. The game was very much top loaded with all three goals scored in the opening 10 minutes. Laura Barrios slotted home for Spain after just four minutes but Giselle Asley responded immediately for Team GB. Lola Riera knocked in the winner for the Spaniards in the ninth minute, and that was that.
Argentina, Australia and Spain have all recorded wins in Pool B. Team GB will have a shot at redemption when they face Australia at 4pm UK time tomorrow.
01:56 PM BST
Draper up but Evans scrapping for dear life
British number one Jack Draper needed little more than 25 minutes to win the first set 6-1 against Kei Nishikori of Japan. Dan Evans, however, has been on the ropes in the second set against Tunisia’s Moez Echargui but has saved six break points and leads 3-2.
01:42 PM BST
Ferrand-Prevot way out in front
Ferrand-Prevot is absolutely annihilating the opposition here. The French favourite has opened up a big lead after two of seven laps, much to the crowds’ delight. Evie Richards currently in a group of five riders a few seconds behind the top three, who are themselves separated.
01:32 PM BST
‘We are protecting a convicted child rapist, yes’
The Dutch Olympic team have explicitly admitted that they are shielding Steven van de Velde, the beach volleyball player who made his Games debut here on Sunday despite being convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19, from talking publicly about his past.
“We are protecting a convicted child rapist, yes,” said press attache John van Vliet after Van de Velde was allowed to swerve media duties after the event. “To do his sport as best as possible, at a tournament he qualified for.”
01:16 PM BST
Richards a GB medal hope in women’s Cross-Country
Very different conditions at the mountain bike venue in Élancourt Hill (south west of Paris, near to the velodrome in St Quentin-en-Yvelines) to yesterday’s time trial in central Paris. Whereas yesterday I was trying to keep my laptop from getting wet using a makeshift tarpaulin, today it is difficult to see the screen in the glare. But it’s beautiful. Sunny, blue skies and 23C.
Evie Richards is Team GB’s medal hope in this one but it’s tricky to make predictions. Richards is a former world champion in the sport, winning in Val di Sole a few weeks after finishing 7th in her only Games to date in Tokyo. But she was off her bike for a few weeks after sustaining a concussion in a World Cup race in Brazil in April. Since returning to racing in June, Richards has had a fifth place finish at the Crans-Montana World Cup, and a sixth in Les Gets last weekend.
The women’s race feels pretty open with Switzerland’s reigning champion Jolanda Neff pulling out recently due to illness.
France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is the huge home favourite and the crowds here are making a lot of pre-race noise. The 32-year-old is one of the biggest names in cycling due to her extraordinary versatility. Ferrand-Prevot won last year’s world championships in Glasgow (her fifth MTB world title) and has also scooped up world titles in cyclocross, gravel, road and marathon mountain bike. But the Games have never been particularly kind to her. Her 10th place finish in Rio is her best to date. Ineos Grenadiers signed Ferrand-Prevot a couple of years ago to help her achieve this dream on home soil.
Her compatriot Loana Lecomte, who took silver behind her in Glasgow, is also a big medal threat. There is also a lot of chat about rising Dutch star Puck Pieterse, a past U23 world champion in cyclocross and the reigning European champion in cross-country MTB at just 22 years of age.
The race is currently under way.
01:13 PM BST
Evans leads African champ Echargui
A packed, largely British stand at Roland Garros, baking in the sun and watching Dan Evans lead African Games champion Moez Echargui of Tunisia by a 4-2 first-set margin. It simply doesn’t get this hot here during the French Open and the conditions are very lively.
12:55 PM BST
Sun finally shows it’s face in Paris
That opening ceremony looked like a sign of things to come but it is finally looking up as the sun shows itself over the French capital. Temperatures at the moment are at around 27 degrees celsius.
12:30 PM BST
Biles leads all-round table
Biles leads the all-round table, flying to the top with a combined score of 59.666 after her strong qualifying showing. She’s serenely made it through all four of her routines and after initial concern about the strapping on her ankle, looks on form. She’s back with a bang. Another small wave to the crowd as team USA leave the arena.
12:27 PM BST
Cameron Norrie pulls out as Dan Evans prepares
Dan Evans is just preparing to take to the court at Roland Garros, where he will be the first Briton to feature in this year’s Olympic tennis event. But Cameron Norrie has announced his withdrawal, citing an (as yet unidentified) injury.
12:25 PM BST
Simone finally enjoying herself
It’s as if Simone Biles is finally allowing herself to enjoy it out there now. So far today she’s kept a steely focus, but after executing a near-perfect performance on the uneven bars she walks off and she waves enthusiastically to the crowd, who go into complete meltdown.
12:24 PM BST
Men’s equestrian fall and elimination
Disaster for Germany in men’s equestrian as rider Christoph Wahler falls from his grey gelding Carjatan during his cross-country ride. This ultimately dashes any hopes the Germans might have had for a team medal.
Wahler fell midway through his ride just after a downhill obstacle. Athletes competing before Wahler described the obstacle as difficult.
There were no injuries reports but Wahler and his horse are being checked to be safe, a German team spokesperson said.
In the Olympics, a fall results in the effective elimination of the rider with 200 penalty points, which also ended German hopes of a team medal.
France and GB will now compete for the gold.
12:05 PM BST
Biles completes spectacular Yurchenko Double Pike
Biles has some heavy strapping on her ankle – it looks like she might have aggravated a niggle after that floor routine which would explain the reason for her pause at the side of the floor afterwards. If she isn’t 100 per cent then she’s concealing it very well.. because she’s just landed a Biles II, the signature move she first performed at last year’s World Championships. The move is a Yurchenko-style vault with two flips in a pike position and with a difficulty rating of 6.4, is notoriously hard to pull off cleanly. But Biles nails it.
12:01 PM BST
Speaking of cruising…
Hollywood glamour was in attendance at the Paris Olympics today.
Mission Impossible and Top Gun star Tom Cruise was joined by singer Ariana Grande and actress Jessica Chastain at the gymnastics.
They were at the Bercy Arena to watch US gymnast and four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles compete.
Cruise is a regular at sporting events, making regular trips to Wimbledon in the summer.
The Team GB women’s team, however, appeared more excited about the appearance of YouTuber Emma Chamberlain, with one of the group appearing to be unsure who Cruise was.
Snoop Dogg was also in the crowd. The rapper had carried the Olympic Torch through the streets of Paris on Friday.
John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen were also spotted in the crowd.
Another supporter of Biles in attendance was Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
11:50 AM BST
Team GB cruise into rowing final
Outright favourites for rowing gold, Team GB have cruise through to the final of the women’s four that includes Helen Glover, Rebecca Shorten and debutants Esme Booth and Sam Redgrave. They will be joined in the final by New Zealand. China, USA and Denmark will be involved in the repechage.
11:38 AM BST
Biles carrying on through the pain
Even though Simone Biles’ floor routine seemed to prove there was little to worry about in terms of injury, a strapped foot and an emotional end to her latest display might have the rumour mill turning. Is she actually A OK?
11:32 AM BST
Biles continues to impress with floor routine
Another compelling performance from Biles, this time on the floor, as she lights up the Bercy Arena again with a display of acrobatic mastery which features a triple twisting double back somersault. After finishing, she sits down on the edge of the floor and appears to take a moment before walking over to her teammates. She looks fairly emotional as she’s embraced by Cecile Landi, the US team coach.
11:24 AM BST
Dupont surfs the crowd after French Olympic triumph
The crowd went 𝑪𝑹𝑨𝒁𝒀! 🤩🇫🇷
Antoine Dupont led a French triumph as they sang La Marseillaise to celebrate becoming Olympic rugby sevens champions! 🥇#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/CEsGBvxjLz
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 28, 2024
11:07 AM BST
Biles back with a bang
Simone Biles whips off her jacket and makes her way over to the beam – the last apparatus on which she secured an emotional bronze in Tokyo when she came back from the ‘twisties’. She sits down on the edge of the boarding awaiting teammate’s Sunisa Lee’s score. Silence falls as she gets the all-clear. She produces a composed, clean performance as Teddy Swim’s number – ‘Lose Control’ – plays out around the arena. It’s a totally controlled display from the world’s most decorated gymnast, who lands every one of her spins and twists with laser precision. A big smile to conclude the routine, in which she scores 14.733. And breathe. That was spectacular.
10:54 AM BST
Simone Biles walks out for Team USA
The Bercy Arena erupts as Team USA – and Simone Biles – walk out. She’s the last of her five teammates to remove her tracksuit top as the team begins warming up on the beam in their glittering dark leotards. She waves to the crowd and smiles. It’s been three years since her trauma from Tokyo – where she suffered from the ‘twisties’ and withdrew from multiple finals. But she’s looking very relaxed. It’s so great to see her back.
10:47 AM BST
Men’s badminton doubles
Number one seeds from China, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, have defeated Team GBs Ben Lane and Sean Vendy, meaning the Britons fail to qualify. The Chinese pair won 21-18 13-21 21-14.
10:28 AM BST
Dutch lose to Italians in beach volleyball
Defeat for the Dutch pair, who lose 15-13 in the deciding set to Italy, 15 places below them in the world rankings. Not an unpopular result here at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, it has to be said. An Olympic atmosphere like no other. The expectation now is that Van de Velde will be spirited away by the Dutch delegation without speaking to the media.
10:26 AM BST
Women’s team archery
Great Britain have lost to Germany and they are out while the Germans move swiftly into the quarter-finals. Germany will now face Mexico. The other games are South Korea v Taiwan, China v Indonesia and India v Netherlands. Those quarter-finals start today at 1.15pm BST.
10:22 AM BST
Still pockets of support for Van de Velde
The Netherlands have drawn level in the contest, taking the second set 21-19 against Italy. Amid the opprobrium, there are isolated pockets of support for Van de Velde, with clusters of fans in bright Dutch orange. There is no disguising how provocative his involvement in these Games is, however. Anna Meares, chef de mission of the Australian team, has said: “If an athlete or a staff member had that conviction, they wouldn’t be allowed to be a member of that team.”
10:13 AM BST
GB qualify for all-round team final
Great Britain have got the job done. They pip Romania to top spot and qualify for the team final after finishing strongly on the floor. Becky Downie tops the uneven bars table after her brilliant individual performance, while Georgia Mae-Fenton, Alice Kinsella and Ruby Evans occupy third, fourth and fifth respectively in the all-round results. The British group break out into a celebratory dance down by the mats before leaving the arena. Smiles all round. Next up, the second subdivision featuring… Simone Biles.
10:12 AM BST
Netherlands draw level against Italy
The Netherlands duo have found their way back into the contest in beach volleyball. Van de Velde and Immers won the second set but are currently 9-6 down in the third. More updates to come.
09:57 AM BST
Simone the ‘GOAT’
We’ve breezed through this morning session and the teams are on the final rotations. Britain, who are sitting second in their subdivision behind Romania, are getting ready to take to the floor. Georgia Mae-Fenton up first, with a solid score of 12.466 and a superb showing from Ruby Evans. The Cardiff born teenager – who is the first Welshwoman to represent Great Britain at an Olympics since 1996 – goes one better with 12.833. Lots of high fives among the British team at the moment.
I’ve just spotted a fan holding up a poster with the words ‘We love you Simone – The GOAT’ in the crowd.
09:55 AM BST
Hostility affecting Van de Velde?
You wonder if the hostility of the crowd has interrupted Van de Velde’s focus. He and partner Matthew Immers lost five straight points to relinquish the opening set 22-20 against the Italian duo of Adrian Carumbula and Alex Rangheri. Spectators appear overwhelmingly against the Dutch, booing whenever Van de Velde’s name is mentioned. Do not expect the Dutchman to speak afterwards. His team insist he will not be performing any media duties. While this is a breach of standard Olympic procedures, the International Olympic Committee insist they have no control over the matter. An IOC spokesperson said of the furore of a convicted child rapist competing at the Games that there is “extra safeguarding in place”.
09:51 AM BST
Strong start for Becky Downie
After two shaky performances from Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton on the uneven bars, it’s been a strong start for Britain’s Becky Downie on her best apparatus. She looks on the money to make the final after scoring 14.666, with a difficulty of 6.6 and was the epitome of calm during that routine. The 32-year-old has shown huge resilience to make it to Paris after suffering the loss of her brother Josh, while her sister Ellie, one of a number of high-profile gymnasts who spoke out about the culture of abuse in the sport, retired.
09:49 AM BST
Incredible ending to Hungary v Brazil in Women’s handball
A sensational save from Hungary’s Blanka Böde-Bíró and some heroic defending was only the beginning of the late drama. After a tactical time out, Hungary drove down the other end against Brazil, who led for most of the contest, and score to win it with five seconds to go. Hungary take it 25-24. Wow!
09:44 AM BST
Turnaround by the Italians in beach volleyball
Italy were three set points down and looking certain to go behind against the Dutch pairing of Van de Velde and Immers, but Carambula and Ranghieri fought back to take the set for themselves. What a comeback!
09:23 AM BST
Spain beat Italy in Women’s beach volleyball
Spain’s Liliana Fernandez Steiner and Paula Soria Gutierrez have beaten Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti of Italy 2-1 in their Pool A match.
Other Pool A contenders, Brazil and Egypt, face each other at 3pm BST today.
09:19 AM BST
Dutchman booed on entrance
Steven Van de Velde has emerged on to the court. There was significant booing for his arrival. How will he cope with this type of atmosphere? His playing partner has been steadfastly loyal, at least in public. Matthew Immers, 23, has even described Van de Velde as being like a “second father” to him.
09:18 AM BST
Van de Velde far from a role model
A stunning view here in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, but the bleakest of storylines. We are awaiting the introduction of Steven Van de Velde, the Dutch beach volleyball player and also a convicted child rapist. The 29-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison for raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19. The Dutch Olympic Committee and volleyball federation have insisted that he has completed their path of rehabilitation and seem bewildered by the outrage Van de Velde’s presence has unleashed.
There is surely a stark difference, though, between being reintegrated into society and anointed as an Olympian. All athletes in Paris have to sign a declaration pledging to be a “role model”. And Van de Velde is very far removed from most people’s definition of a role model.
09:13 AM BST
Live from the Bercy Arena
Salut from the Bercy Arena. Great Britain’s team of Max Whitlock, Joe Fraser, Jake Jarman, Luke Whitehouse and Harry Hepworth finished top of their sub-division in their men’s artistic gymnastics qualification session yesterday to qualify for the final. Now it’s over to the women.
Having won European silver in Rome earlier this year Britain’s women will fancy their chances to progress to the final. No signs of nerves from 17-year-old Ruby Evans – an Olympic debutant and newest member of the British team. The Welsh teenager scored 14.200 on the vault, the highest out of all her teammates.
There’s a few empty seats dotted about but you expect this place will be packed to the rafters in an hour or so when all eyes will be on Simone Biles as she makes her highly anticipated Olympics return.
09:10 AM BST
Simone Biles in all-round action
With seven Olympic medals to her name, Biles is tied with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast. She is predicted, yet again, to be one of the faces of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Biles will step up to the plate at 10.40am, making her first appearance in the team qualifying events. She will feature alongside USA teammates Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera and Sunisa Lee in Subdivision 2.
09:00 AM BST
Women’s single sculls
Athletes from Turkey, Philippines, Vietnam, Paraguay, Iran and Peru are through to the quarter-finals after three repecharge races. The men are currently in action n the single sculls repecharges.
08:54 AM BST
Women’s beach volleyball
Valentina Gottardi and Marta Menegatti of Italy are tied in sets with Spain’s Liliana Fernandez Steiner and Paula Soria Gutierrez. Spain currently lead 9-8 in the third set.
08:45 AM BST
What a shot!
Look at this sensational picture from Hector Vivas. If there were gold medals for photography he’s be sitting atop the podium for this one.
08:30 AM BST
Convicted Dutch rapist competes in beach volleyball
Convicted rapist Steven van de Velde will make his Olympic beach volleyball debut this morning despite a well publicised controversy.
The Dutch Olympic Committee’s decision to include the 29-year-old in the beach volleyball squad has led to heavy criticism.
Van de Velde will compete with playing partner Matthew Immers. Their first match is scheduled to take place at 9am (UK time) today against Italy’s Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula at the Eiffel Tower stadium.
08:10 AM BST
Badminton under way
The badminton is under way on Day 2, with beach volleyball, handball, rowing, shooting, and volleyball following at 9am local time. Archery, gymnastics, and fencing at 9.30am.
08:05 AM BST
Breathtaking images from Tahiti
07:57 AM BST
Triathlon training cancelled
In some early Day 2 news, the triathletes first training session has been cancelled due to concerns over water quality in the River Seine.
Earlier this month, the Seine was declared clean enough for swimming, however, recent spells of heavy rain means untreated sewage can find its way into the waters.
Organisers say they are confident water quality will improve enough for the triathlon to take place as scheduled on Tuesday, with drier weather forecast over the next few days.
A statement said, “Paris 2024 and World Triathlon reiterate that the priority is the health of the athletes. The analysis carried out yesterday in the Seine showed water quality levels that do not present sufficient guarantees to allow the event to take place”.
Tests in June showed levels of E.coli above the upper limits imposed by sports federations, which had organisers concerned. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and chief organiser Tony Estanguet swam in the river on July 17 to show the water was in fact clean enough for Olympic events.
07:30 AM BST
Paris 2024 Olympics Day 2 preview
Good morning all and welcome to the second day of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This is your Telegraph live blog bringing you all the action from throughout the day as the City of Lights plays host to everything from Swimming and Sailing to Canoe Slalom and Skateboarding.
Yesterday was Team GB’s most successful opening day at an Olympics in 44 years, with British athletes taking home two medals: Team GB duo Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen claimed bronze in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard, while Anna Henderson took silver in the women’s time trial cycling.
Today sees the likes of Adam Peaty, Andy Murray and Simone Biles in action. Peaty will compete for a third consecutive men’s 100m breaststroke Olympic title and Helen Glover, returning for her fourth Olympics, go for gold after winning big in 2012 and 2016. Glover will compete in the women’s four alongside Rebecca Shorten and ingenues Sam Redgrave and Esme Booth. Archers Penny Healey and Bryony Pitman will also shoot for gold today.
Andy Murray is playing alongside Dan Evans in the men’s doubles in what could be his final ever time on a court. Evans is also in singles action earlier, along with Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper.
Elsewhere, China dove and shot their way to the first two gold medals of the fortnight, with France’s rugby sevens outfit securing a popular triumph. However, Day 2 has Australia topping the medal table after an inspiring run.
Find below the medal events for Day 2.
Medal Events (UK time):
Shooting – men’s & women’s 10m air pistol (from 8.30am)
Mountain Bike – women’s cross country (from 1.10pm)
Judo – men 66kg / women 52kg (from 3pm)
Archery – women’s team (from 3.48pm)
Skateboarding – women’s street (from 4pm)
Canoe Slalom – women’s kayak single (from 4.45pm)
Swimming (from 7.30pm) – men’s 400m IM / women’s 100m butterfly / men’s 100m breaststroke.
Fencing (from 7.50pm) – women’s individual foil / men’s individual epee.
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