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Josh Ball

The Paris Olympics roared into life on Saturday with an action-packed day book-ended by gold for China and Hong Kong.
Teenage shooters Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting got things started for the mainland team in the 10m mixed team air rifle and there was diving gold too, both early enough for Hongkongers to be fully aware of them.
Vivian Kong Man-wai, though, was still negotiating her way to a remarkable fencing gold for Hong Kong, clinched when most in her hometown will have been in bed.
If you missed Kong’s tears of joy while you were sleeping, or hosts France’s first gold of the Games or some titanic clashes in the pool, then this is for you.

Vivian Kong
Tense does not even begin to describe the final of the women’s individual épée competition. It ended with Kong winning a historic Olympic title, only the third gold Hong Kong has ever won at the Games.
And yet it could have been French opponent Auriane Mallo-Breton’s night as she had victory snatched from her grasp in front of a partisan crowd at the Grand Palais.
With French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance, Mallo-Breton roared into a 7-1 lead and it looked as though gold was hers for the taking.
That Kong then won 13-12 in sudden death, after the pair had been tied 12-12 when time ran out, was the cruellest of blows for the world No 6.
But the Hongkonger is world No 1 for a reason, and has battled back from many a deficit in her career, not least overcoming ACL surgery in both knees.
This, however, was her crowning achievement.
A record finish
The excitement surrounding Kong’s sensational display largely overshadowed the day’s blue riband event in the pool.
An early clash between swimming superpowers in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay pitted Australia, the USA and China against each other for the first time in these Games, although it absolutely won’t be the last.

In the end, Australia charged home in an Olympic record time of three minutes, 28.92 seconds to take gold. The US posted an Americas record of 3:30.20 to take silver and China’s Asian record of 3:30.30 was only good enough for bronze.
The US turned the tables on Australia in the men’s 4x100m freestyle final. Caeleb Dressel, on the US’ anchor leg, won his eighth career Olympic gold. China missed out entirely, and were nudged into fourth by Italy.
Simply the best
The men’s rugby sevens was almost over before the opening ceremony started, but if ever there was a name destined for a trophy it was this one.
Antoine Dupont decided some time ago that winning Olympic gold with France was worth skipping some proper rugby for, and the introduction of the world’s best player was finally enough to end Fiji’s stranglehold on the competition.
The Pacific islanders have only ever known victory at the Olympics, but that changed early on Sunday morning with the scrum-half’s introduction at the start of the second half.
Tied 7-7 at the break, Dupont set up the try that eased his side ahead and scored the last two in a 28-7 victory at the Stade de France, a ground he’s more than a little familiar with.
It might not make up for last year’s 15-a-side World Cup, but there is time enough ahead for him to add that to his growing trophy cabinet.

Bouncing back
Argentina bounced back from the chaos of their opening defeat in the Olympic men’s football to beat Iraq 3-1, while Spain and Japan became the first teams through to the quarter-finals.
Two-time gold medallists Argentina had begun their campaign on Wednesday with a 2-1 defeat by Morocco that was marred by crowd trouble. The final minutes took place in an empty stadium following the disruption.
However, Javier Mascherano’s side registered their first win in Group B on Saturday and the result, coupled with Ukraine’s last-gasp 2-1 victory over Morocco, left all four teams in the section level on three points.
“We need to look forward and focus on what we can control, which is playing football. That is what I suggested we do, play the better football,” Mascherano said as he refused to revisit the Morocco debacle.
Triathlon chaos?
Officials are confident triathlon events will take place as scheduled on Tuesday even though recent rainfall may lead to Sunday’s training session being cancelled because of concerns over the water quality in the Seine.
“The rain that has fallen on Paris over the last 24 hours is likely to impact the quality of the water in the Seine over the next 24 to 36 hours,” organisers said.
“Depending on current water quality levels and the conditions expected over the next 24 hours, it is possible that the familiarisation [athlete training] scheduled for Sunday 28 July at 8am may be cancelled.”
A decision will be made at 10am on Sunday, Hong Kong time.


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Vivian Kong of Hong Kong clinches the gold medal in the Olympic épée competition. Photo: Reuters

Vivian Kong stands on the podium as Hong Kong’s flag is hoisted during her medal ceremony. Photo: Xinhua

Australia celebrate victory ahead of the US and China in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Photo: Xinhua

Antoine Dupont has a gold medal to show for his switch to sevens after France’s triumph. Photo: Reuters

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong fencer Kong brings day 1 to golden end - as it happened

Gold medalist Vivian Kong (centre), alongside silver medalist Auriane Mallo-Breton (left) and bronze medalist Eszter Muhari of Hungary celebrate on the podium at Grand Palais in Paris. Photo: Getty Images

Paris Olympics: who is fencer Vivian Kong? Hong Kong’s latest gold medallist has been chasing history since she was 11

Vivian Kong bursts into tears after after beating Auriane Mallo-Breton of France in the gold medal bout of the women’s individual epee at Paris Olympics. Photo: EPA-EFE

The team going to Paris (from left): Cheung Ka-long; Chan Nok-sze; Ho Wai-hang and Vivian Kong. Photo: Elson Li

Vivian Kong with Octavian Zidaru, head coach of the Hong Kong team. Photo: Handout

Siobhan Haughey at her ‘best’ ahead of Paris Olympic Games, says Hong Kong star’s coach

Siobhan Haughey is in her best form yet as she looks to compete for medals at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: Tom Rushton


Siobhan Haughey has been training hard as she looks to get on the podium at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Tom Rushton

Siobhan Haughey is at her second Olympic Games which makes her more accustomed to life in the Village. Photo: Tom Rushton

Siobhan Haughey’s coach has no concerns of his pupil’s flag bearing duties during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Photo: Tom Rushton

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

Hong Kong

Fencing

The first day proper ends with tears of joy for Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong and titanic tussles in rugby sevens and swimming


The first day proper ends with tears of joy for Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong and titanic tussles in rugby sevens and swimming.
