Sport / Olympics 2024

In pictures: The NZ team in action on day five of the Paris Olympics

05:12 am on 1 August 2024

Kane Follows in the 200m backstroke heats. Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

A nailbiting finish to the triathlon from Hayden Wilde was among the highlights of the fifth official day of the Olympic Games.

Wilde held the lead for most of the run before being beaten in the final moments by Great Britain's Alex Yee.

The silver medal means New Zealand has climbed to 12th on the medal table, up from 16th.

Here are some of the best photos from day five of the Games.

The athletes leap into the Seine to begin the men's triathlon. Photo: Photosport

Kiwi competitor Dylan McCullough described the swim as "brutal", with hardly any visibility and a strong current. Photo: AFP/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Spectators packed the streets of Paris in droves to watch the triathlon. Photo: AFP/DIMITAR DILKOFF

New Zealand's Hayden Wilde began the cycling near the middle of the pack, but swiftly gained ground. Photo: AFP/ALEKSANDRA SZMIGIEL

Hayden Wilde, right, near the Pont Alexandre. Photo: Photosport

Wilde took the lead at the start of the 10km run and held it nearly the whole way. Photo: AFP/BEN STANSALL

At one stage, Wilde was 15 seconds ahead of Great Britain's Alex Yee, in second place. Photo: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Alex Yee surged from behind in the final minute to cross the finish line before Wilde. Photo: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Yee and Wilde, sitting just beyond the finish line, are joined by Frenchman Leo Bergere who claimed the bronze. Photo: AFP/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

The trio take their place on the winners' podium. Photo: AFP/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Yee and Wilde congratulate each other. Photo: AFP/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Wilde holds his medal aloft. Photo: AFP/ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

The women's triathlon competitors dive into the River Seine. Photo: AFP/JEFF PACHOUD

The women triathletes in the first of their two swimming laps. Photo: AFP/JULIEN DE ROSA

The women triathletes in front of the Arc de Triomphe. Photo: AFP/BEN STANSALL

The cycling course takes the athletes past some of Paris' most beautiful landmarks. Photo: AFP/JASPER JACOBS

The women triathletes launch into the 19km run. Photo: AFP/ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

New Zealander Kane Follows in the men's 200m backstroke heats. Photo: AFP/FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT

Follows wasn't fast enough to advance to the next round. Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Veerle ten Have in the women's windsurfing. Photo: AFP/NICOLAS TUCAT

Shannon Cox (left) and Jackie Kiddle rowed to second in their semifinal, earning a place in the women's double sculls final on 2 August. Photo: AFP/BERTRAND GUAY

Phillip Wilson, left, and Daniel Williamson react after missing out on a spot in the men's coxless pair finals. Photo: AFP/OLIVIER MORIN