French swimming superstar Leon Marchand secured his fourth gold medal of a remarkable Olympics at a febrile La Defense Arena as Paris 2024 continued to thrill.
Day seven of the Olympics had already brought a medal-laden day for Team GB to continue Great Britain’s excellent start to the Games, but it was a couple of French sporting heroes in the spotlight later as Marchand and judo king Teddy Riner captivated the crowds in the French capital.
Duncan Scott secured silver behind Marchand to win an eighth Olympic medal, drawing him level with Bradley Wiggins and behind only Jason Kenny in terms of overall tally among British Olympians. Ben Proud joined his teammate on the second step of the podium, missing out narrowly on gold in the 50 metres freestyle.
It was a succesful day for British athletes right across Paris. Emily Craig and Imogen Grant won rowing gold with a dominant performance in the women’s double sculls, moments after Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Thomas George claimed silver in the men’s pair, before Bryony Page – who had won silver and bronze at the previous two Games – finally completed her Olympic set by bouncing to an emotional gold.
Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding successfully made it four medals out of four in the diving for Team GB, while Scott Brash, Ben Maher and Harry Charles secured a surprise equestrian gold in the team showjumping to continue a medal-laden day. On the opening day of the athletics, meanwhile, track stars Dina Asher-Smith, Keely Hodgkinson and Josh Kerr safely made it through their heats.
Follow all the action, latest results and medals from Paris 2024 in our live blog below.
Paris Olympics 2024
- Olympics 2024 continues with action-packed day in Paris
- MEDAL! Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding win bronze in 3m synchro
- MEDAL! Ollie Wynne-Griffith and Tom George claim heart-breaking silver in men’s pair rowing final
- Keely Hodgkinson begins bid for Olympic gold before men’s 10,000m final in athletics
- Beth Shriever misses out on medal in BMX racing title defence; Kye White crashes out
How judo’s friendly giant Teddy Riner delivered one of the moments of the Paris Olympics
22:45
Lawrence Ostlere in Paris
In the minutes before Teddy Riner entered the arena, Paris 2024 volunteers filled the aisles with phones set to record and security guards peered in from the gangways, trying to snatch a glimpse. A mob of photographers jostled for position at the edge of the tatami, and around them every seat inside the Grand Palais Ephemere was filled.
Then he arrived, all 6ft 8in and 23 stone of him, marching towards the stage as music blared and the fans screeched. Riner is a legend of judo and an icon of France. Here, in his hometown, he is adored like a benevolent king.
Josh Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen ignite epic rivalry ahead of Olympics ‘race for the ages’
22:30
Jamie Braidwood in Paris
The Olympics before the athletics begins is a little like a feast without its main course: the abundance of choice is tantalising at first, but when the centrepiece is introduced it can be difficult to look anywhere else.
And while the Stade de France and its brand new purple track will host the blockbuster men’s and women’s 100m finals over the weekend, it’s another event that has been dubbed a “race for the ages” by World Athletics president Seb Coe. The clash of reigning Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Great Britain’s current world champion Josh Kerr in the final of the men’s 1500m is one of the most highly anticipated of Paris 2024. The opening session of the athletics on Friday morning offered a tantalising glimpse at what lies ahead.
Keely Hodgkinson teaches Phoebe Gill trick as Team GB stars progress at Olympics
22:15
Harry Latham-Coyle
The fact that Keely Hodgkinson still gets a headache from the heats should be comforting to Phoebe Gill as she navigates the same narrative arc.
The 800m favourite Hodgkinson increasingly casts a spell over her rivals and she was unchallenged in her Olympic heat, winning it in a fairly brisk 1mins 59.31secs.
The 22-year-old has never come unstuck at the first hurdle of a major championships but still finds the early stages tough to negotiate.
Olympics 2024: Men’s hockey - Great Britain suffer first defeat and learn quarter-final opponents
22:15
Harry Latham-Coyle
A narrow win for Germany over Great Britain in a tough encounter between a couple of medal contenders to conclude their respective campaigns in Group A. A double from Christopher Ruhr in the 2-1 win secures top spot for the Germans - they’ll face Argentina in the quarter-finals while Team GB have a tricky last eight encounter with India, who beat them at that stage in Tokyo.
Olympics 2024: France beat Argentina 1-0
22:05
Sonia Twigg
Full time: France 1-0 Argentina
The whistle finally blows and France can celebrate.
But as soon as they did the tempers that had been threatening to boil over throughout the second half, did so.
Javier Mascherano was heavily involved as the players started to square up and shove each other around.
The tempers have just frayed slightly, and it did not stop immediately but carried on into the tunnel.
Olympics 2024: France v Argentina football
21:54
Sonia Twigg
France 1-0 Argentina - 90 minutes
This is unbelievable, there will be 10 minutes of added time.
The atmosphere is electric, especially since that disallowed goal, and France will want to hold on to this narrow advantage now.
Olympics 2024: France v Argentina football
21:52
Sonia Twigg
France 1-0 Argentina - 87 minutes
Michael Olise thought he had booked France’s place in the semi-finals, coach Thierry Henry was celebrating.
But the fist-pumping came to an abrupt end with a VAR check and a suggestion that Aklouiche fouled a defender before picking out Olise.
The goal was ruled out and boos rang out around the stadium in Bordeaux.
Olympics 2024: France v Argentina football
21:30
Sonia Twigg
France 1-0 Argentina - 70 minutes
Olise and Mateta almost linked and produced a carbon copy of their opening goal.
Olise took the corner which swung in onto the head of Mateta, only this time it did not end up in the back of the net.
The crowd has been fiery in Bordeaux and got firmly behind their team.
It’s just the one-goal lead for the hosts as they go into the last 20 minutes, but they have looked the brighter of the two teams in the last five minutes or so.
Olympics 2024: France v Argentina football
21:22
Sonia Twigg
France 1-0 Argentina - 62 minutes
This game is on the precipice of really boiling over.
Argentina coach Javier Mascherano has already been shown a yellow card.
The referee made a decisive call about diving and not giving Alexandre Lacazette a free kick on the edge of the Argentina box.
This match is already a grudge match for many reasons.
One of them was when several members of the Argentina team were filmed singing a song questioning the heritage of some of France’s non-white players after their win over Colombia in the Copa America final.
Argentina fans had already sung a racist and homophobic song about France’s players during the last World Cup when Lionel Messi led his side to victory over France on penalties.
Phenomenon Leon Marchand wins historic fourth gold as Duncan Scott lands superb silver
21:15
Jack Rathborn at La Defense Arena
Four. Leon Marchand’s fingers lifted upright after touching the wall spoke volumes. A rapturous applause from the French crowd at La Defense Arena, including President Emmanuel Macron, who returned a thumbs up from the stands. Marchand has been confirmed now as the new king of the pool. And this was the moment, well, another Marchand moment for Paris 2024: Except not just success, but utter dominance again from one of their own. He is a complete game-changer and the ripple of waves swimming has felt this week may be felt for years to come in the build-up to Los Angeles 2028.
Olympics 2024: Leon Marchand on another incredible night
21:11
Harry Latham-Coyle
“It’s been unbelievable for me this week,” the Frenchman tells the BBC after being presented with a fourth Olympic gold medal. “I’ve been enjoying every moment of it. This crowd was crazy. I don’t think a lot of swimmers have seen this before. It was so cool.
“I don’t think I’ve realised yet because I’m still in the zone. In the last four days I’ve tried to quit social media and all that stuff to focus on my individual races, but I guess now it’ll be really different.”
Olympics 2024: France v Argentina football
21:10
Sonia Twigg
France took an early lead after five minutes through Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Olise curled a corner to the near post and Mateta flicked a header into the back of the net and celebrated by booting the corner flag.
This competition has received some criticism because on the men’s side the teams are made up of under-23s players, but this game seems to mean a lot.
Olympics 2024: Swimming - women’s 200m individual medley
21:07
Harry Latham-Coyle
Let’s just mop up the last of the semi-finals from La Defense Arena tonight, with eight women through to tomorrow night’s 200m individual medley final. They include Great Britain’s Abbie Wood, pulling out a very impressive time in a strong second semi to progress fourth fastest.
She’s up against it for a medal, though: Alex Walsh and the multi-stroke superstar Kate Douglass of the United States both look ominously smooth, as does Summer McIntosh. McIntosh’s Canadian compatriot Sydney Pickrem, Yu Yiting of China and a pair of Australians in Kaylee McKeown and Ella Ramsey complete the line-up, with no place for defending champion Yui Ohashi.
Olympics 2024: A sanguine Beth Shriever speaks to the BBC
20:57
Harry Latham-Coyle
“I’ve loved every single second of being here,” Shriever beams, soaking it in even after missing out on a medal. “Sometimes it can’t always go to plan - that’s just life. I gave my all to this, I’ve got my friends and family here, and that’s all that matters.
“The atmosphere is insane. With the men going 1-2-3, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I’ve had a great time. It is what it is.
“I think I was just a little bit late out of the start. Every other time it has been alright. The other girls got flyers and shut me down, but it’s all good. I’m happy.”
Olympics 2024: Men’s 10,000m final - Cheptegei sets new Games record
20:54
Sonia Twigg
Joshua Cheptegei adds the Olympic gold medal to his list of titles.
He is the Olympic record holder as well, and it has been smashed. It’s a new one by over 15 seconds, Cheptegei is the world record holder over this distance, he’s only 27, and has a long way to go.
It was a close final lap, he went at the start of it, but managed to hold on to the lead, and those behind him had to sprint for places.
1. Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) - 26:43:14
2. Berihu Aregawai (Ethiopia) - 26:43:44
3. Grant Fisher (USA) - 26:43:46
Olympics 2024: Beth Shriever misses out on medal in BMX racing final
20:54
Harry Latham-Coyle
Not to be for Beth Shriever. She was caught in the shuffle at the start and never had a chance of closing the gap that opened to Saya Sakakibara, eventually rolling in last with her dreams of double Olympic triumph long since in tatters.
But Sakakibara was simply first-class, freeing herself of her British rival and never looking back. A gobsmacked Manon Veenstra secures silver on Olympic debut; Zoe Claessens takes bronze.
GOLD: Saya Sakakibara (Australia)
Silver: Manon Veenstra (Netherlands)
Bronze: Zoe Claessens (Switzerland)
Olympics 2024: BMX racing final - will Beth Shriever retain title?
20:48
Harry Latham-Coyle
The crowd are still jumping about in the reverie of a French lockout of the podium places in the men’s race as Beth Shriever and the rest of the women’s finalists begin to ready themselves. Can Shriever win gold again? She’ll go from lane six, which should leave her well placed into that crucial first triple. Shriever looks oh so relaxed on the startline.
Here’s your field:
Saya Sakakibara (Australia)
Beth Shriever (Great Britain)
Alise Willoughby (USA)
Zoe Claessens (Switzerland)
Manon Veenstra (Netherlands)
Laura Mulders (Netherlands)
Molly Simpson (Canada)
Axelle Etienne (France)
Olympics 2024: French 1-2-3 in men’s BMX final
20:44
Harry Latham-Coyle
An 11th gold for the hosts at Paris 2024. It’s turning into a truly brilliant Olympics for France.
Olympics 2024: Men’s 10,000m final
20:40
Sonia Twigg
It’s 13.23 at half way, this is a very quick race.
The Olympic 10,000m is the only distance track title that Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei doesn’t hold.
He is not in the leading group yet though, but might just be making his way forwards.
This is on course to break the world record at current place with 10 laps to go!
Olympics 2024: French 1-2-3 in men’s BMX final
20:37
Harry Latham-Coyle
FRANCE SWEEP THE MEDALS! The crowd goes berserk in Paris as Joris Daudet confirms his place as one of the greatest of all-time with a long-awaited Olympic crown!
Formidable! Daudet leads in a home 1-2-3, adding Olympic gold to his three world titles as Sylvain Andre and Romain Mahieu follow along behind him. An extraordinary day for the hosts after Teddy Riner’s heroics earlier and Leon Marchand’s dominance in the pool.
Olympics 2024: Men’s BMX final
20:36
Harry Latham-Coyle
In they drop, Daudet away quicklly on the inside. The three Frenchmen all take the front!
Olympics 2024: Men’s BMX final
20:35
Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, we’re ready to go for the men’s final. Three Frenchmen in the field, seeking a first medal for the nation in the event - it’s going to be fast and furious...
Joris Daudet (France)
Sylvain Andre (France)
Romain Mahieu (France)
Cameron Wood (USA)
Cedric Butti (Switzerland)
Simon Marquart (Switzerland)
Mateo Carmona (Colombia)
Izaac Kennedy (Australia_
Olympics 2024: Men’s 10,000m final
20:30
Sonia Twigg
It’s the two Ethiopians who are leading the pack after five minutes, but there has been no big breakaway so far.
The Ethiopians might be working together here, they are in three of the top four positions, although there are still 20 laps of this 400m track to go.
Olympics 2024: BMX Racing - Beth Shriever into final
20:27
Jamie Braidwood in Paris
Beth Shriever is through to the BMX racing final and will go for a second consecutive gold in around 20 minutes!
Shriever won all three of her heats in the semi-finals, but so did Australia’s Saya Sakakibara.
Sakakibara is set battle Shriever for gold and averaged faster times in the semi-finals, but not by much!
This could come be so close.
Olympics 2024: Neutral athletes win first gold of the Games
20:26
Harry Latham-Coyle
A strange sight at the medal ceremony for the men’s trampolining. Ivan Litvinovich retains the title he won in Tokyo impressively, but with Belarus banned from the Olympics, his win brings a first playing of the anthem made for the neutral athletes from Russsia and its close ally at Paris 2024.
Olympics 2024: Swimming - men’s 100m butterfly semi-finals
20:21
Harry Latham-Coyle
Kristof Milak will be rather relieved that he doesn’t have to deal with Leon Marchand in the 100m butterfly, a hectic programme not allowing Marchand to enter an event in which he surely would have been a medal contender. The Hungarian was quick in the heats this morning and is the fastest man through to tomorrow’s final, winning the second semi in 50.38sec. Maxime Grousset continues a fun night for the French fans by winning the first of them.
A tough night for Caeleb Dressel continues, however - the American fails to make the top eight and is out, in a boost to Australia’s hopes of topping the swimming medal table.
Olympics 2024: Men’s 10,000m final
20:21
Sonia Twigg
It’s the first day of athletics, and the first medal will be in the men’s 10,000m final.
Britain have had their success in this event through Mo Farah, but who will take the gold this time?
Kye Whyte sustained ‘no significant injuries’ in BMX crash
20:14
Jamie Braidwood
Kye Whyte was stretchered off the track but sustained “no significant injuries” after crashing out of the BMX racing semi-finals at the Olympics.
Whyte, Great Britain’s Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo, was stretchered off the track after a heavy fall in the semi-finals.
It was initially suggested that he would be taken to hospital for assessment but British Cycling said his condition was positive.
The 24-year-old lost control of his bike after the first jump and veered off course heading into the second ramp before crashing into the dirt track.
He was seen to immediately by paramedics while lying on the ground before he was lifted onto a stretcher and carried from the course.
Olympics 2024: Duncan Scott reacts to winning an eighth Olympic medal
20:10
Harry Latham-Coyle
“I need to watch it back, I probably made my coach nervous at one point,” Scott tells the BBC having drawn level with Bradley Wiggins’ tally, trailing only Jason Kenny among British Olympians.
“I know that I’ve got a really strong freestyle, so if I can get to a good position at 150 metres, why not? But Leon Marchand showed his class there. That was pretty special, though, being able to race him.
“I think that is a great way to finish it off, or if I’m included in some relays, happy days. I’ll always stick my hands up for them. The 4x200 was pretty special, so the second half of the week has exceeded expectations. I’m buzzing with that.”
Olympics 2024: Tennis - Djokovic to play Alcaraz in gold medal clash
20:07
Sonia Twigg
Novak Djokovic has reached his first-ever Olympic final, it seems slightly incredible that he hasn’t reached one before now.
He beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2 to set up the gold-medal clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
The match will take place on Saturday at Roland Garros, and it will be a repeat of this year’s Wimbledon final.
Olympics 2024: Ben Proud speaks to the BBC after a first Olympic medal
20:05
Harry Latham-Coyle
“It was funny, because being put in lane four makes you feel like you are protecting that gold. I had to keep reminding myself that I hadn’t done anything yet. To be second behind only Cam [McEvoy], who has come out in full form these past two years and done phenomenal things... He has made me change the way I do my training to some extent.
“The 50 is not aggressive or about who is better. It is about people doing their best. Florent Manadou and I share the same coach and that goes a long way. I’m looking forward to going back to him and sharing this with him.”
Olympics 2024: Leon Marchand joins exclusive club
20:00
Harry Latham-Coyle
The previous male swimmers to win more than three individual gold medals at a single Olympics? Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps. Handy company for the new prince of the pool.
Olympics 2024: Leon Marchand wins fourth gold in Paris!
19:52
Harry Latham-Coyle
He’s done it again! Four (!) golds in a single Olympic Games for a new French sporting icon, raising his fingers to the sky with every single person inside La Defense Arena (including Emmanuel Macron) on their feet.
It was never in doubt! Marchand led from start to finish, very nearly grabbing a world record to go with the garlands and golds. But there’s good news for Duncan Scott behind him as the British swimmer again wins 200 IM silver.
The noise is quite something as Marchand rises from the water like Poseidon. A new Olympic record of 1min 54.06sec, more than a second quicker than Scott in second, with Wang Shun holding on for bronze. Tom Dean, Scott’s teammate, finished fast on the freestyle but had slightly too much to do - he takes fifth in the final.
GOLD: Leon Marchand (France)
Silver: Duncan Scott (Great Britain)
Bronze: Wang Shun (China)
Olympics 2024: Men’s 200m individual medley
19:51
Harry Latham-Coyle
Yes he can! That lead is HUGE and Marchand just has 50 metres of freestyle between him and another gold...
Olympics 2024: Men’s 200m individual medley
19:50
Harry Latham-Coyle
Leon Marchand shows his butterly prowess, he and Wang Shun leading the way through 50 metres. On to the backstroke, maybe Marchand’s weakest stroke...or not, the Frenchman putting on the power and leading everyone else trailing.
Shun closes a little at the 100m turn. Can Marchand wind it up on the breastroke leg?