Sport / Olympics 2024

Olympics 2024: Athletes to look out for in Paris on 29-30 July, the Games' third day

08:37 am on 29 July 2024

Cross country cyclist Sam Gaze at the world mountain biking championships in Scotland. Photo: SWpix.com

The Black Ferns Sevens, two first-time Olympic sailors and a champion mountain biker will be gunning for glory on day three of the Paris Olympics.

Due to the time difference, day three begins on Monday evening NZT and finishes on Tuesday morning.

Here's who to look out for. All times are in NZT.

For the full New Zealand athlete schedule, click here.

Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie in action in Marseille on day two of the competition. Photo: AFP/CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie, men's 49er sailing, 12.05am Tuesday

McHardie and McKenzie have big shoes to fill - they are representing New Zealand on the boat made famous by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.

This is the first Olympic Games for both the sailors.

However, they have established themselves as one of the leading 49er outfits in the world over the past 12 months, winning bronze at the Princess Sofia Regatta and the European championships.

They had a strong first day of sailing in Marseille and odds are good for a repeat early Tuesday morning.

Sam Gaze, men's cross country mountain biking, 12.10am Tuesday

Gaze is a three-time Commonwealth Games medallist. He won gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022, as well as silver at Glasgow 2014.

More recently, he took home the gold at the 2023 Cycling World Championships.

This is Gaze's second Olympics - he competed in the 2016 Rio Games but pulled out after getting a puncture.

Let's see if he can add an Olympic medal to his collection this time.

Mahina Paul of the Black Ferns Sevens. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Black Ferns Sevens, women's rugby sevens, 2.30am Tuesday

The Black Ferns Sevens need no introduction.

They take on Fiji in the women's pool play after back-to-back wins against China and Canada on day two.

Erika Fairweather, women's 200m freestyle final, 7.48am Tuesday

Fairweather takes to the pool again after a strong showing in the 200m freestyle semifinal on day two, where she finished 7th.

The Dunedin swimmer just missed out on the bronze in the 400m freestyle on day one - can she go one better this time?