Sport / Olympics 2024

In pictures: NZ athletes in action on the first day of the Paris Olympics

08:45 am on 28 July 2024

Billy Stairmand duck dives a wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round 1. Photo: Ben Thouard / POOL / AFP

Our athletes kicked off the Olympics in style, with many cruising to the top of the leaderboards on the first official day of competition.

Here are the highlights.

Billy Stairmand drops into a wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round 1. Photo: AFP / Jerome Brouillet

Erika Fairweather in action in the 400m women's freestyle heats. Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Forward Jesse Randall scores his New Zealand's only goal in group A match against the USA. Photo: AFP / Clement Mahoudeau

New Zealand's defender Tyler Bindon tries to take hold of the ball in their lost (1-4) match against the USA. Photo: AFP / Clement Mahoudeau

Rower Tom Mackintosh cruises to a comfortable win in his heat in the men's single scull, beating defending gold medallist Stefanos Ntouskos, of Greece. Photo: AFP/BERTRAND GUAY

Emma Twigg takes the lead in her women's single scull heat. Photo: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield

Brooke Francis, left, and Lucy Spoors row to victory in the women's double scull heats. Photo: AFP/BERTRAND GUAY

Robbie Manson, left, and Jordan Parry came second in the men's double scull heats. Photo: AFP/BERTRAND GUAY

Luuka Jones competes in the women's kayak single heats canoe slalom competition. Photo: AFP / Olivier Morin

All Blacks Sevens members Andrew Knewstubb, Tepaea Cook-Savage and Leroy Carter celebrate after a try against Argentina in their 5-8 rugby sevens match. Photo: AFP/CARL DE SOUZA

Ireland's Zac Ward (R) is chased by New Zealand's Leroy Carter (L) during the men's placing 5-6 rugby sevens match. Photo: AFP / Carl de Souza

Moses Leo scores a try during the All Blacks Sevens' 5-8 match against Argentina. Photo: AFP/CARL DE SOUZA

Tone Ng Shiu is tackled by Argentina's Santiago Alvarez and Joaquin Pellandini. Photo: AFP/CARL DE SOUZA

Black Sticks' Sam Lane celebrates after scoring the team's first goal against India. Photo: Worldsportpics / Simon Watts

Nicholas Woods takes control of the field hockey ball. Photo: Worldsportpics / Simon Watts

Kim Cadzow whizzes around the track in the road cycling time trial. Photo: AFP/DIMITAR DILKOFF

Kim Cadzow at the start of the road cycling track at Invalides. Photo: AFP/EMMANUEL DUNAND

Kim Cadzow prepares to take to the track in the women's road cycling time trial. Photo: AFP/BEN STANSALL

Jonelle Price and Hiarado in the dressage at the Palace of Versailles. Photo: AFP/MATTHIEU MIRVILLE

Clarke Johnstone, riding Menlo Park in the dressage, gives a thumbs up. Photo: AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU