Sport / Olympics 2024

In pictures: Pain, joy for Kiwis at the Paris Olympics

12:10 pm on 30 July 2024
Mountainbiker Sam Gaze, left, and Black Fern Jazmin Felix-Hotham

On the left mountainbiker Sam Gaze had a disappointing day while the Black Ferns, including Jazmin Felix-Hotham, are into the sevens semifinals. Photo: Getty Images / www.photosport.com

The Black Ferns did it easy in the sevens but for mountainbiker Sam Gaze it wasn't "the day of redemption" he had hoped for.

As New Zealand still seeks a place on the medal table we're always slow starters the Black Ferns blew away China in a nine-try blitz in their quarterfinal mismatch.

However, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gaze, who has suffered mental health problems, was left heartbroken despite a creditable sixth place finish in the mountain biking final.

Erika Fairweather said she was pleased with her efforts which saw her finish seventh in the 200m freestyle final.

The glory days of Blyth Tait and Sir Mark Todd in eventing seem to be a distant memory as the Kiwis finished eighth in the event.

Here's a look at how photographers captured some of the action.

New Zealander Samuel Gaze and Czech Ondrej Cink pictured in action during the men's cross-country mountain bike cycling race at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at the Colline d'Elancourt climb near Paris, France on Monday 29 July 2024. The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad are taking place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August. The Belgian delegation counts 165 athletes competing in 21 sports. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo by DIRK WAEM / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP)

It was to prove a heartbreaking day for Kiwi mountainbiker Sam Gaze. Photo: DIRK WAEM / AFP

Samuel Gaze ( NZL ) during the 2024 Olympics Games Cycling Mountain Bike at Elancourt Hill on July 29, 2024 in Paris, France. ( Photo by federico pestellini / DPPI / Panoramic / www.photosport.nz)

Sam Gaze out on the course on a brutally hot day. Photo: DPPI / Federico Pestellini

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe shrugs off a Chinese player on her way to the tryline at Stade de France. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz

Jazmin Felix-Hotham in action for the Black Ferns this morning. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz

Some of the Black Ferns celebrate their 55-5 win over China. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz

Jazmin Felix-Hotham, left, and Jorja Miller celebrate their win. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz

Tyla King acknowledges the Black Ferns supporters. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz

Tim Price of New Zealand in action during the event jumping teams final at Chateau de Versailles in Paris. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

A couple of rails down proved costly for Jonelle Price and the Kiwis team. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

Erika Fairweather on her way to a seventh-placed finish in the women's 200 metres freestyle final. Photo: DPPI / Federico Pestellini

Alana Sherman (stroke) and Kate Haines (bow), in the women's coxless pair, racing the repechage, at Vaires-sur-Marne. The pair did not advance. Photo: Steve McArthur / www.photosport.nz

(L-R) Easton Jagger of the US, silver, Horigome Yuto of Japan , gold, and Huston Nyjah of the US, bronze, pose after their street skateboarding medal presentation at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AFP

Lulu Sun and Erin Routliffe fell to a top Italian pair, Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani 6-2, 6-3 at Roland Garros. Photo: Supplied

Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, beat Spain's Rafa Nadal in the second round of the singles. Nadal is still alive in the doubles. Photo: photosport