Olympics 2024 LIVE: Latest updates from Paris Games (2024)

5 minutes agoBy Rob Maul

Yasmin Harper going for bronze

For Yasmin Harper, a back 2½ somersaults pike lets her down and in round two and only scores 58.50 (the ninth-best display overall).

It sees her pushed back to fourth place as the Malaysian Nur Dhabitah Sabri breaks free to move into third place.

China’s Chen Yiwen scored a lot of nines for her routine and she leads the way.

Three more dives to go.

Nip and tuck to see if she gets a bronze.

5 minutes agoBy Rob Maul

All the latest from the diving

While the athletics is having a break, it is a quick hop over the motorway bridge from the Stade de France to the pool.

After round one of five, Yasmin Harper is joint third of the women’s three-metre springboard competition here at the Aquatics Centre with a score of 63.00.

The Chinese are world leaders in this event but surprisingly one of them, Chang Yani flopped, with her first dive.

Harper won three-metre synchro bronze on the opening day – which seems like an eternity ago – with Scarlett Mew Jensen.

Grace Reid is joint eight and will struggle to make an impact judging from that first display on the board.

14 minutes agoBy Joshua Jones

'Terminator' on his nickname

On his Terminator nickname, Roberts added: “It’s not a self-given nickname, Maybe because my climbing style is quite like The Terminator. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

“I've been working towards this for ten years. Me and my dad, we created a plan to get to the stage and it's been a journey.

“I've always just liked to climb stuff. When I was younger, I was obviously climbing trees and climbing out my little cot when I was a little baby, so I've always just had a natural urge to climb."

SunSport are next to Roberts when he catches up with his parents aftergoing through the mixed zone.

"What have you done to us, you crazy boy?!" asksmum Marina. Great question. It has not sunk in for them at all just yet.

27 minutes agoBy Joshua Jones

Toby Roberts reveals secrets to success

Roberts - whose dad and coach Tristian built a climbing wall in their garden to practise - said: "Well, I imagine I won't be sleeping. I'll get very, very drunk.

“I’m in shock. To find out you've won an Olympic gold is just, it's definitely going to be a lot of shock there.

“Going into the competition, I tried to remove all expectations and then, yeah, to realise that I'd won the gold, it's just a rush of adrenaline and emotion and happiness.

"I've got an MP3 player, I listen to pumpy music. Eminem Lose Yourself is my go to. It really gets me psyched.

"It was really important to calm myself down before I go out for my lead routes, so I'm not on the wall feeling shaky. When I pulled on I relaxed and then put a good performance in."

29 minutes agoBy Martin Lipton

All the latest from the first match sprint round

Not much rest for Capewell and Finucane, back out again for the first match sprint round.

Finucane is far too strong for Poland’s Marlena Karvacka, watching her like a hawk and responding superbly as her opponent tried to duck inside before switching.

Karvacka had given up exiting the final bend as Welsh star Finucane rode away.

Capewell, too, was impressive as she commanded from the front to see off Malaysia’s Nurul Mohd Asri.

One more ride tonight for them both.

51 minutes agoBy Martin Lipton

Semi-finals in men's sprint cycling

From the flying lap for the women to the crunch stage for the male sprinters.

It’s the semi-finals.

Jack Carlin took bronze in Tokyo but to go at least one better he has to out-think and out-sprint Dutch superstar Harrie Lavreyson.

It’s best of three rides. But now it will have to be two out of two for Scot Carlin, as Lavreyson holds off his attempt to make it a two-lap sprint and come round the outside on the final the bend.

About a wheel between them. Which is a long way in a sport decided by thousandths of a second.

57 minutes agoBy Martin Lipton

Leah Friedrich sets WORLD RECORD in cycling sprint

Stop it. It’s getting silly.

ANOTHER world record from Lea Friedrich of Germany. Now the mark is 10.029.

Can Finucane respond?

Yes. But only to go second with 10.076. What a competition.

That moves Capewell down to fourth with one to go.

Defending champion Mitchell, who has seen her world record smashed twice. But she can only go 10th fastest.

You wouldn’t think she’s a real contender on that evidence.

But from now on it’s about tactics as well as speed.

Today, 13:34By Martin Lipton

Brits are up in the cycling

Sophie Capewell, part of that golden sprint team, is the first of the two Brits in action.

She goes after the Olympic record has gone TWICE more - and the world mark with it.

France’s Mathilde Gros brought roars of delight from the home fans as he crossed the line in 10.182 seconds.

But next up, Kiwi Ellesse Andrews set that new fastest time in history of 10.108.

Capewell is quick. But not quite THAT quick.

A fraction up at 100m, she clocks 10.142, second fastest so far. And that makes her a very serious contender as this event progres

Today, 13:34By Martin Lipton

Williams not happy with his diving performance

Noah Williams and Kyle Kothari are booth safely through to the semi-finals of the 10m platform diving - but only one of them is happy.

Williams, already with a silver medal from his synchro effort alongside Tom Daley, was eighth of the 26 competitors, with team-mate Kothari one behind him.

But while ex-banker Kothari was all smiles, Williams was furious at himself as he was more than 50 points behind China’s Cao Yuan.

Williams said: “It was pretty bad but I made it through so that’s all that matters.

“My three dives weren’t good and it was hard to get in the mood of the competition.

"I’ll turn up and hope I feel a bit better tomorrow. Semi-finals will be quicker and a bit more intense, which hopefully will fix it by itself. I’m not going to do anything different."

Kothari, who popped back to London for five days last week, said: “That felt like aholiday. It was really good to reset and it’s something that all the individual guys who are on last have used at previous Olympics, so it’s tried and tested.

"Three years ago, I was sat with my foot in a boot working in treasury services at JP Morgan.

“I wasn’t even thinking about going back to diving. I’m really proud of myself for giving it a go and taking that risk."

Today, 13:19By Martin Lipton

All the latest from the Velodrome

By the magic of the French public transport network - it is possible if you make the investment - I’ve left behind the sun of Provence and the coast off Marseille to back on the far western outskirts of Paris.

Back at the “Thunder Drome” in Saint-Quentin en-Yvelines. Where it’s still as hot inside as it is outside down south.

First up is the women’s sprint heats.

Emma Finucane, with a team sprint gold and Keirin bronze already round her neck, begins her quest for a third Paris 2024 medal.

But she might have to lay down some real speed - New Zealand’s Shaane Fulton has just taken a decent chunk out of the Olympic record on her “flying lap”.

Could we see a new world record in the next few minutes?

Canadian Kelsey Mitchell’s 2019 altitude-set time of 10.154 seconds looks at risk on this high-banked track.

Today, 12:56By Cosmo Teare

Toby Roberts crowned champion

Roby Roberts has been crowned champion after his shock gold medal in the sport climbing.

Today, 12:36By Joshua Jones

Emotional scenes from Paris

IT IS GOLD FOR TOBY ROBERTS!!!!!

Anraku is just ten points and a couple of holds shy of overtaking Roberts.

But the Japan teenager loses his grip and falls!!!!!

And that means Toby Roberts is the Olympic champion!!!

Stunning stuff from the Brit!!!

Wow, what a moment - I'm getting emotional here!

Today, 12:31By Joshua Jones

Toby Roberts wins gold!

GOLDEN BOY Toby Roberts scaled new heights with Team GB’s first sport climbing Olympic medal.

The 19-year-old Surrey sensation was third after the bouldering stage of the final.

But his incredible effort in the lead element saw him clinch gold - as the heavy favourite slipped just seconds from glory.

Roberts qualified for the final in second - with fellow Brit Hamish McArthur also booking his spot in the eight-man final.

After eight minutes of observation time, McArthur kicked off the bouldering element of the final in style, reaching the top hold of the 4.5m wall at the third attempt to score 24.8 points.

The Yorkshireman, 22, got to the second checkpoint on climbs two, three and four to finish on 53.9 points in fourth.

That was one place behind Roberts, who clambered his way to the top hold on two of the efforts and locked in 63.1 points from the bouldering to trail Japan’s runaway 17-year-old superstar Sorato Anraku and Colin Duffy on USA.

Roberts prefers the lead discipline where climbers get six minutes to navigate their way up the 15m overhanging wall with a safety rope.

The observation time enabled the eight finalists to inspect the challenge ahead of them with binoculars and envision their routes up, chatting together to discuss their ideas.

McArthur was up first again and did a full 360-degree turn while hanging 10m up like a monkey in a tree on his way to 72 points for a total of 125.9.

He then took his seat on the stage to watch his fellow competitors, even shouting out encouragement to Duffy who came next - despite the fact that the American knocked him off provisional top spot.

Jakob Schubert’s epic lead climb earned 96 out of the maximum 100 points and pushed McArthur down to bronze with four climbers still to go.

When Roberts clipped in to begin his climb, he knew he was six minutes away from guaranteeing himself a medal.

The two-time and reigning lead world champion dangled, swung and clambered his way up to the 60-point marker - hanging on one arm at one point - and as he passed two further holds, he secured himself at least bronze and then at least silver.

His score of 92.1 on the lead climb gave him a total score of 155.2 - in the process ironically knocking McArthur out of the medals - before Anraku took to the wall to go for gold.

It looked like Anraku was going to do it with no mistake, checking off the white, yellow and black holds to make his way to the top blue section right at the top.

But needing just 9.9 more points for gold, Anraku lost his grip and fell - tumbling down to score 76.1 on the lead and 145.4 overall as Roberts snatched gold.

Today, 12:28By Cosmo Teare

Gold medal for Toby Roberts!

Toby has the climb of his life to win gold here!

It took him a second to realise but there are emotional scenes as it dawns on him.

He's an Olympic champion!

Today, 12:25By Joshua Jones

Toby Roberts overtakes McArthur!

Here comes Toby...!

The two-time lead world champion begins his lead climb knowing he can guarantee himself a medal in these six minutes of climbing...

He dangles, swings and clambers his way up to the 60-point marker - hanging on one arm at one point - and as he passed two furtherholds, he secures himself at least bronze and then at least silver!

Toby Roberts will be an Olympic medallist!

Toby's score of 92.1 on the lead gives him a total of 155.2.

Ironically, that means he has just knocked McArthur out of the medals.

Now it's time for 17-year-old Anraku to take to the wall and go for gold.

Today, 12:03By Rob Maul

All to play for in the heptathlon

It is all to play for in the women's 800 metres, the final event of the heptathlon.

Nafi Thiam led the javelin competition with a throw of 54.04 metres, which is down on her personal best but is still a season's best.

The Belgian, the double Olympic championn, now leads the competition by 121 points of Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

That equates to about eight seconds or so.

KJT's best run is about six seconds quicker.

It all means an epic finale over two laps of the track this evening.

Today, 11:57By Rob Maul

Sember misses out on final after crashing into hurdle

A British sprint hurdler did not finish her semi-finals after smashing into a hurdle.

Cindy Sember had a poor start and was always playing catch-up.

She cleared six hurdles but on the seventh, she knocked it with her trailing leg.

The American-born runner clattered into the eight hurdles and smashed on the track.

Close to tears, Sember, 30, said: “It’s really difficult to train and to come out here and not do what you know you are capable of doing.

“Honestly, I felt ready. I was coming up on the hurdle very quickly. Unfortunately, I caught one, and it took me out. I am a little frustrated.

“I honestly don’t know what happened, I will have to go back and watch it.

“It was probably a trail leg. It’s just unfortunate as I was very, very ready to make that final.

“I felt like I was coming on strong and it wasn’t enough. It’s really, really difficult.

“I don’t know what God is doing in this but I am trusting his plan.

“LA is a very long time away. I will just pray by it and trust in him and hopefully we will figure it out.”

Today, 11:45By Joshua Jones

Strong showing for McArthur

Oh my word Hamish McArthur!

He works his way up to the 60 points hold with relative ease.

And then he does a full 360 while10m up in the air - crazy!

The crowd love it, cheeringhim on as he swings around like a monkey in the trees.

Moments later, though, they are groaning in sympathy as he falls off and dangles back down to the stage.

A return of 72.00 points is very decent and he moves on to a total of125.9.

Duffy up next...

Today, 11:35By Joshua Jones

Part two of climbing final about to begin

Right, back in Le Bourget, we are readyfor part two of the boulder and lead final.

The eight climbers have had six minutes to inspect the 15m overhanging wall, using binoculars to look at the various holds as they discussedand envisioned their route up to the top.

Remember, Roberts is third and McArthur fourth.

Can either - or both - grab a medal?

Let's find out...

Today, 11:34By Cosmo Teare

Covid 'rampaging through' Olympic Village

Covid-19 has been rampaging throught he Olympic Village.

According to reports, at least 40 Olympianshave tested positive for Covidat the Paris Olympics.

Noah Lyles had to be taken away in a wheelchair after the 200m final after struggling with the virus.

And Brit Adam Peaty also tested positive for the virus ahead of his breaststroke silver medal.

OUTBREAK Fears Covid is rampaging through Olympic Village after Noah Lyles diagnosis

Today, 10:58By Rob Maul

Burgin hoping for bronze in final

Keely Hodgkinson won the women’s 800 metres in wonderful style last Monday.

Tomorrow night it will be the turn of Max Burgin to shine over two laps but in truth, he will be aiming for a bronze medal.

A PB of 1:43.50 in semi-final three saw him qualify for the final.

Elliot Giles and Ben Pattison, the world championship bronze medallist, can now pack their bags and head home.

Today, 10:55By Joshua Jones

Brits fighting for a top spot in climbing

Time for Toby Roberts' four and final climb of part one of this final.

He has reached the top hold, second checkpoint and then the top hold in his first three climbs.

How can he fare in this final climb?

A strong finish and he will be in a really good position ahead of thelead climb, his preferred discipline.

Ah! He can only get to the first checkpoint so only adds 4.9 to finish thebouldering on 63.1 overall.

That has him in third behind Sorato Anraku and American Colin Duffy.

Hamish McArthur is fourth on 53.9.

Today, 10:54By Rob Maul

KJT improves on third throw

That is much better from Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who delivers a final throw of 45.49 metres.

That season’s best sees her move up to fourth spot in Group A.

Every centimetre could make the difference in the grand scheme of everything.

All eyes now turn to Nafi Thiam when Group B starts.

Today, 10:45By Cosmo Teare

Ben Pattison out

Ben Pattison drops out of the 800m after the second heat.

The first heat was a slow one and he hasn't done enough to progress to the final.

Today, 10:42By Rob Maul

KJT with work to do

Katarina Johnson-Thompson threw 44.64 metres first of all but the next one was a foul.
On a cloudy morning here in Paris, she will need to do beter with her third attempt.
She has banked 757 points but two-time Olympic champion Nafi Thiam of Belgium will be gunning for that top spot.

In the men's 800 metres, Ben Pattison is in fourth spot after the first semi-final.

He is waiting to find out if he has done enough to progress to the final but it is unlikely.