Olympics 2024 LIVE: France vs USMNT live score updates; Chaos erupts as Argentina lose to Morocco

The 2024 Olympics begins today with the rugby sevens and football competitions ahead of a unique opening ceremony on Friday night along the River Seine.

In total, 16 days of action will take place after the ceremony, with triumphant athletes on the podium to be handed medals made out of fragments of an iconic Paris landmark: the Eiffel Tower.

Team GB are taking more than 300 athletes to the Games but Charlotte Dujardin, a six-time Olympic medallist, has pulled out of all competition while the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) investigates a video from four years ago showing her making “an error of judgement” during a coaching session.

“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse,” she said in a statement. “I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.”

Elsewhere, though, there are huge hopes for GB to improve on their 22-gold haul from three years ago in Tokyo, particularly with a rich talent body in athletics. Follow the latest news and build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics below.

Paris 2024 Olympics | First events and latest news

• Latest on Charlotte Dujardin as video released of disgraced equestrian Olympian

• Rugby sevens and football underway on Wednesday ahead of official opening on Friday

• Antoine Dupont and France held in opening clash with USA at Stade de France

• New Zealand defeat South Africa 17-5 to finish first day with two wins from two

• Morocco vs Argentina football ends in chaos as pitch invasion and bottles thrown and play suspended for over an hour

• Canada coach sacked after Olympic football spying scandal

Men’s Soccer: Disappointment for Team USA after lengthy hiatus from games

22:01 , Mike Bedigan

It’s done, and team US will not be pleased.

After 16 years out of the games, the side suffered a resounding 3-0 loss to the host nations on Wednesday night after a late goal in extra-time was ruled offside by VAR.

The USA will next appear against New Zealand on Saturday.

The Chinese swimming doping scandal casting doubt at the Paris Olympics

22:00 , Mike Jones

Swimming has been rocked in 2024 after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and its handling of positive test results from China’s swimming team before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The story, reported by the New York Times and German news organization ARD, surrounds 23 Chinese swimmers, 11 of whom will compete at the Paris Olympics, testing positive for the heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) during a training camp seven months out from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The Chinese swimming doping scandal casting doubt at Paris Olympics

Men’s Soccer: Bade makes it three for France

21:49 , Mike Bedigan

French defender Loic Bade makes it three for the Olympic hosts after heading home the ball following a corner kick taken by Joris Chotard.

With 90 mins played, it may well be over for team USA this time, though there are still eight minutes of stoppage time to play...

Men’s Soccer: Another for France!

21:31 , Mike Bedigan

Oh dear, not looking good for the USA in their first Olympics Soccer game in 16 years...

Another superb strike, this time from Michael Olise, finds the back fo the net making it 2-0 to the host nation.

Olise’ left-footed shot from outside the box found the bottom left corner after being set up by captain Lacazette.

Olympics pundits and commentators for BBC and Discovery+

21:30 , Mike Jones

With live action getting underway today, here’s your reminder of the faces you can expect to see on your telly boxes in the United Kingdom over the next three weeks or so.

Olympics pundits for BBC and Discovery+, from Gabby Logan to Laura Woods

Men’s Soccer: GOAL! 1-0 France v USA

21:24 , Mike Bedigan

Host nation France take the lead against the USA in the Men’s Soccer!

French captain Alexander Lacazette scores a low rocket after taking the ball seamlessly outside the box.

The goal came just minutes after a long-range shot from the USA pinged off the crossbar.

How to watch the Olympics in the United Kingdom

21:11 , Mike Jones

Viewers may remember from Tokyo 2020 that the BBC’s coverage was not as extensive, with the national broadcaster limited to showing live action on a single linear channel and online live stream. That agreement remains in place for Paris 2024:

Olympics 2024 live stream: How to watch every Paris event online and on TV

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens results

21:01 , Mike Jones

Pool C

France 12-12 USA

Fiji 40-12 Uruguay

France 19-12 Uruguay

Fiji 38-12 USA

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens results

20:59 , Mike Jones

Pool B

Australia 21-14 Samoa

Argentina 31-12 Kenya

Australia 21-7 Kenya

Argentina 28-12 Samoa

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens results

20:58 , Mike Jones

Pool A

Ireland 10-5 South Africa

New Zealand 40-12 Japan

Ireland 40-5 Japan

New Zealand 17-5 South Africa

Men’s Soccer: USA hold hosts France to a 0-0 draw at half-time

20:54 , Mike Bedigan

Half time in the Orange Velodrome stadium and team USA’s men’s soccer team have held host nation France to 0-0 at half time.

It has been 16 years since the US men’s team have been in the Olympics, and the first time that the two teams have met.

Despite Thierry Henry’s side firing off some dangerous looking shots, ramping up somewhat towards the end of the first 45 minutes, keeper Patrick Schulte held them at bay.

The USA have had only one of their three shots on target, while France has had three out of their eight attempts on target.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:54 , Mike Jones

NZL 17-5 RSA

Akuila Rokolisoa goes over the line for a fourth try but he’s judged to have moved after being tackled and the try is chalked off. Time is up but South Africa have the ball in play.

New Zealand turn it over but Rokolisoa is pushed out of play after South Africa give up a penalty.

Eventually the game does end. New Zealand bring the Rugby Sevens action to a close on the first day of the Paris Olympics. They’ve taken maximum points with two wins from two.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:48 , Mike Jones

NZL 17-5 RSA

Look at that for speed! Leroy Carter is fouled in the middle of the pitch and takes the penalty quickly before whipping a long pass out to the left wing for Moses Leo.

He puts on the burners and flies down the field before crossing the line for a third try. This time the conversion is kicked and New Zealand extend their lead.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:45 , Mike Jones

NZL 10-5 RSA

Andrew Knewstubb spies a gap and darts through it before getting dragged down to the deck. New Zealand win a penalty for an offside.

They decides to run from a scrum and look to maintain control of the ball. Every second they take out of this game moves them closer to winning the match.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:40 , Mike Jones

NZL 10-5 RSA

That is divine from the All Blacks. Fast hands, back offloads, no look passes and pacey runs down the left wing sees Ngarohi McGarvey-Black touch down for another try.

The All Blacks lead 10-5 at the break. Lots to play for in the second half.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:36 , Mike Jones

NZL 5-5 RSA

New Zealand missed their conversion effort so only lead by five.

No, they don’t. Fine play from the Bitzbroks, who win a penalty and play it quickly. They send the ball out to the right wing where Selvyn Davids plucks the ball out of the air and flies around the outside of Scott Curry.

He crosses the line and taps the ball down for a try. All square.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:34 , Mike Jones

NZL 5-0 RSA

South Africa have a serious injury to Nortje 30 seconds into this match. The game is temporarily paused and he’s taken off the pitch with an ice pack to the back of his neck.

The game resumes with a New Zealand scrum. The All Blacks break a tackle on the right wing and fly up the pitch with the help of three fantastic offloads.

South Africa are scrambling to get back but New Zealand swing the ball out to the opposite wing where Moses Leo goes over for the first try.

Paris 2024: New Zealand v South Africa rugby sevens latest

20:30 , Mike Jones

Now it’s time for the final Rugby Sevens match of the day. The All Blacks are taking on the Blitzbroks to see who will take top spot in Pool A.

Dylan Collier leads the All Blacks for this one. His team finished second at the Olympics in Tokyo. Can they go one better this time around?

The Olympic sports with no British athletes competing

20:25 , Mike Jones

Record medal hauls may be mooted for Team GB when the Paris Olympics get underway in the French capital, but there are some Games venues at which the Union flag will be conspicuous by its absence.

The tentacles of sustained podium success, spread liberally by almost £250m of UK Sport funding for the Paris Olympic cycle alone, have yet to reach the wrestling mats of the Champ-de Mars-Arena or the glittering fencing venue at the Grand Palais.

The Olympic sports in Paris with no British athletes competing

Team GB announce flagbearers for Olympics opening ceremony

20:24 , Mike Jones

Tom Daley claims he couldn’t have a better partner as he prepares to take a primetime cruise down the River Seine in Friday night’s Olympic opening ceremony.

Daley and rower Helen Glover will carry the British flag as the Games get under way under the shadow of Paris’ world-famous postcard landmarks.

Daley, with one gold and three bronzes from five Olympics, and Glover, a two-time gold medallist from three appearances, were popular choices to lead in Team GB.

30-year-old Daley is the first diver to get the honour and Glover the first woman rower, following Olympic icons Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent.

Team GB announce flagbearers for Olympics opening ceremony

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB’s Olympic Taekwondo star and part-time model chasing gold at Paris 2024

20:05 , Mike Jones

If you haven’t yet heard of Caden Cunningham yet, there’s a good chance you will have by the end of these Olympics.

Cunningham is square-jawed with sunken brown eyes under a fuzz of hair; wide shoulders and a pristine posture, standing 6ft-plenty. He’s a part-time model – GQ magazine recently dubbed him “an Olympic prince (and a menswear king)” – a full-time Taekwondo champion, and he loves the stage.

Cunningham is only 21 but has already won a string of medals and became the European heavyweight champion in May. He arrives in Paris this week as a serious contender for gold, armed with a self-assurance that practically kicks you in the face. “Regardless of whether I win or lose [in Paris],” he says, “I’m confident I could go for the next four years and really pick up speed in Taekwondo and conquer this heavyweight division. I am starting to do it now.”

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB Taekwondo star and model chasing Olympic gold in Paris

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

19:57 , Mike Jones

Fiji, the reigning Olympic champions, are safely through to the quarter-finals after two incredible wins today. They first defeated Uruguay 40-12 before seeing off USA 38-12.

They’re a force of nature and will be hard to defeat as they aim for a third consecutive gold medal.

The untold story of ‘Chariots of Fire’ runner Eric Liddell – and why his greatest act came next

19:55 , Mike Jones

Paris, 1924. Eric Liddell is poised at the starting line of the 400m track, a union jack sitting proudly on the breast of his white running kit. It took him 47.6 seconds to make history that day – Liddell set a new Olympic and world record during the sprint. It was a race that would later be immortalised in the 1981 Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.

If you have seen the film, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you know the other dramatic storylines in his short life, too – notably that he was more famous for the race that he didn’t win during the Paris Olympics that year.

The Scot had been a favourite to take the gold medal for the 100m sprint, but when the event timetable was released, he declined his place. “I’m not running on a Sunday,” he said. His commitment to his religious beliefs came first.

‘Chariots of Fire’ runner Eric Liddell: Why his most astonishing act came next

Charlotte Dujardin out of Olympics 2024 over allegedly ‘whipping horse 24 times like circus elephant’

19:45 , Mike Jones

Charlotte Dujardin, one of the stars of Team GB ahead of the Olympics, has been banned from the Paris Games over allegations she whipped a horse “24 times” like it was “an elephant in a circus”.

Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion, earlier withdrew from all competitions due to a video that shows the dressage rider “making an error of judgement during a coaching session” to a young rider four years ago.

Stephan Wensing, a lawyer representing the 19-year-old who filed the complaint against Dujardin, said the incident took place when the 39-year-old was telling the student to lift up the legs of the horse.

Dujardin out of Olympics over ‘whipping horse 24 times like circus elephant’

Charlotte Dujardin dumped as ambassador for charity after horse whipping storm

19:35 , Mike Jones

Charlotte Dujardin has been dropped as an ambassador for horse welfare charity Brooke amid a horse whipping controversy engulfing the British Olympian.

It comes after she was provisionally suspended by equestrian’s governing body and she withdrew from the Paris Olympics over a video from four years ago showing her making what she described as “an error of judgement” during a coaching session.

The video shows Dujardin repeatedly hitting a student’s horse with a whip from the ground.

Charlotte Dujardin dumped as ambassador for charity after horse whipping storm

Andy Murray not planning to play singles at Olympics farewell

19:25 , Mike Jones

Andy Murray is happy to be waving goodbye to tennis at the Paris Olympics but revealed his singles career is almost certainly already over.

The two-time singles gold medallist had hoped to make his final appearance in the format at Roland Garros but has still not recovered fully from the surgery to remove a spinal cyst he had a week before Wimbledon.

He has therefore decided to focus on doubles alongside Dan Evans as he chases a fourth Olympic medal. Asked if he was in shape to play singles, Murray said: “I need to make that decision this evening but I don’t think so.

Andy Murray not planning to play singles at Olympics farewell

Charlotte Dujardin latest: Video shown of former Team GB star whipping horse

19:15 , Mike Jones

A video of Charlotte Dujardin whipping a horse has been shown live on Good Morning Britain after the Team GB star was suspended before the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion, withdrew from the competitions on Monday due to a video, and then has been subsequently provisionally suspended by the International Federation for Equestrian Sport (FEI) for six months with immediate effect.

The video shows the Olympian using a long whip and repeatedly striking the horse, which is being ridden by a rider whose face is obscured.

The footage is not long, but the long whip is used repeatedly, with the horse bucking slightly and lifting its rear legs as it appears in obvious discomfort.

Video of Charlotte Dujardin whipping horse shown live on Good Morning Britain

More from Team GB diver Tom Daley

19:05 , Mike Jones

Sharing his thoughts on this year’s Games, Daley said: “Lots of mixed emotions, I think. It’s going to be sad because it’s my fifth Olympic Games and who knows if I’ll be in a position to be able go to a sixth.

“It almost feels very final as well. I know that there’s other things that we might get, I might be able to compete again but for right now it feels like this is what I’m working towards and to have my family there to watch will be really special.

“I think for me, this time around, the success was getting there. Going from not training for two years to then being able to be back and qualify for the Olympics and be on the Olympic team within a year, that was, for me, the achievement.

“If I can go there and win a medal, I will be overjoyed. I would be foolish to think that I could go and win another Olympic gold medal after not training for two years when everyone else continued training but never say never. It’s the Olympic Games. You never know what might happen. I’ve been on both sides of that coin. I’ve been on the disaster coin and I’ve been on the victory coin.

“You could be in the best physical, mental shape of your life. You could’ve won every single event going into the Olympic Games. You have to do it on that one day. Once every four years you have to stand up there and you have to perform each of those dives. You get one shot. If you mess up any of those, it’s over.”

As well as doing his best to add to Team GB’s medal tally in the French capital, Daley will be part of the Eurosport team.

“I’m so excited to join the Eurosport team. I’m going to be competing on July 29 and then the next day I’m going to be in the studio talking about the thing that I love and that’s Olympic sport. Being able to speak to the athletes. To be able to get to know other people and how they managed to get to the Olympics, their thoughts, their feelings, how their competition went. I’m very excited.”

“I’m going to have freshly competed in the Olympic Games. I am going to have been able to walk around the Olympic village and walk around the dining hall and speak to the athletes and provide a real on the ground feel of what it’s like to be competing in these Games.”

“Never say never”

18:55 , Mike Jones

Reigning Olympic diving champion, Tom Daley, spoke to Eurosport ahead of competing in his fifth Olympic Games. Daley will also join Eurosport's and discovery+ live Games coverage as a pundit once he's finished competing.

“My son said, ‘I want to see you dive at an Olympic Games’. I remember just thinking, if I can get there then it’s a bonus. I feel like this whole year has been a bonus lap for Olympic preparation and being able to compete there.

“To be going to my fifth Olympic Games feels very surreal. As the little kid when I was seven years old when I first started diving, I drew a little picture of me doing a handstand with the Olympic rings that said ‘London 2012’ and that was my dream, was to go to the London Olympics in 2012.

“I was lucky enough to go to Beijing in 2008 as a 14-year-old, not really knowing what that meant and then having the opportunity to represent Team GB in all of the Olympics subsequently and to finally achieve my ultimate dream which was a gold medal at the last Olympics.

“This time round, I’m just happy to be there. I took two years off, I thought I’d retired and it was my son that encouraged me to get back in the pool and give it one more shot.

“It’s not something that I thought was going to happen after Tokyo because after Tokyo I thought ‘I’m done. I’ve achieved my ultimate dream, why ruin it?’”

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

18:52 , Mike Jones

Australia have seen off Kenya 31-12 to conclude their day with two handsome wins in Pool B. Argentina have joined them at the top of that table thanks to a 28-12 win over Samoa in their second outing of the day.

Australia and Argentina meet tomorrow for the final game in what will be a shootout to see who tops the Pool on their way to the quarter-finals.

Pogacar explains decision to withdraw from Olympics

18:45 , Mike Jones

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar says the Slovenian Olympic Committee (OKS) not selecting his girlfriend Urska Zigart helped sway his decision to withdraw from Paris 2024.

Pogacar, a three-time winner fo the Tour, pulled out of the Games with “extreme fatigue” on Monday before competing in a criterium race in the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Speaking before that race Pogacar said of Zigart’s omission: “It’s not the main reason, but for sure it didn’t help. I think she deserves her spot. She’s the double national champion in road race and time trial.”

How new kit at the Olympics can empower women and ‘separate gold from silver’

18:35 , Sonia Twigg

Team GB hockey player Tess Howard believes wearing the “right” kit in events like the Paris 2024 Olympics can “make the difference to feel like you belong on the world stage”.

The difference between men’s and women’s kit has grown, despite Paris 2024 being hailed as the “gender-equal games”, with women usually wearing tighter-fitting outfits made of less material than their male counterparts.

How new kit at Paris Olympics can empower women and ‘separate gold from silver’

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB’s Olympic Taekwondo star and part-time model chasing gold at Paris 2024

18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

If you haven’t yet heard of Caden Cunningham yet, there’s a good chance you will have by the end of these Olympics.

Cunningham is square-jawed with sunken brown eyes under a fuzz of hair; wide shoulders and a pristine posture, standing 6ft-plenty. He’s a part-time model – GQ magazine recently dubbed him “an Olympic prince (and a menswear king)” – a full-time Taekwondo champion, and he loves the stage.

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB Taekwondo star and model chasing Olympic gold in Paris

Paris 2024: Men’s Football Argentina 1-2 Morocco

18:08 , Mike Jones

With VAR having ruled out Argentina’s equaliser that caused the earlier disruption in this match, Morocco resumed with a 2-1 lead. There were three minutes of stoppage time to play following a 20-minute warm-up.

It was perhaps expected that there couldn’t be any further drama in this match and that was the case. No goals and Javier Mascherano’s team suffer a loss in their opening match.

Four hours after kick-off, Morocco win this game by a single goal.

When is Tom Daley competing at Paris Olympics?

18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here is when you can see Tom Daley in action at the newly-built Paris Aquatics Centre, across the road from the Stade de France.

When is Tom Daley competing at Paris Olympics?

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

18:02 , Mike Jones

Australia are back in action in the rugby sevens. They’re taking on Kenya who were defeated by Argentina in their earlier match. James Turner has opened the scoring with a pacey try from the left.

The conversion goes between the sticks and the Aussies lead 7-0.

Argentina vs Morocco to resume behind closed doors

17:56 , Luke Baker

An update on the carnage in Saint-Etienne surrounding that Argentina vs Morocco match in the men’s football.

It has now been confirmed that the players will return to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard pitch shortly. Three minutes will be played with no fans in attendance and the players will have 20 minutes to warm up.

Remember, the match was suspended when fans invaded the pitch and threw bottles after Cristian Medina of Argentina appeared to nick an equaliser to make it 2-2 in the 16th minute of injury time.

BUT perhaps the longest VAR review in history has now ruled that Medina goal out, so Morocco will resume leading 2-1!

Tom Daley: The British diving stalwart making a surprise comeback at Paris 2024

17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One of the favourites to carry Team GB’s flag on Friday is Tom Daley, with the diver back for one more leap into the Olympic unknown. Chris Wilson profiles a man balancing performance and punditry at these Games.

Tom Daley: The British diving stalwart making a surprise comeback at Paris 2024

Coco Gauff picked as Team USA flag bearer joining LeBron James at Olympics opening ceremony

17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tennis star Coco Gauff has been selected to join LeBron James as a Team USA flag bearer at Friday’s opening ceremony at the Paris Olympic Games.

Gauff, the US Open champion who crashed out of Wimbledon earlier this month, will be the first tennis player – as well as the youngest American – to carry the US flag at an Olympic opening ceremony.

Coco Gauff picked as Team USA flag bearer for Olympics opening ceremony

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

17:37 , Mike Jones

Ireland kicked off their Olympic Games with a tense battle against South Africa in Pool A.

Tries from Terry Kennedy and Jordon Conroy were enough to cancel out an effort from Selvyn Davids at the other end as the Irish went on to win 10-5.

New Zealand then took on Japan in the other Pool A fixture and stormed to victory dominating their opponents in a 40-12 triumph. The All Blacks sevens take on South Africa later this evening as well.

Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

American hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg will be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame in the final stretch before the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 this Friday.

Snoop Dogg, 52, will carry the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis – the northern Paris suburb that is home to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium – the town’s mayor Mathieu Hanotin confirmed on X/Twitter.

Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

Fans storm pitch and throw bottles as Argentina v Morocco ends in chaos to kick off Olympics

17:30 , Luke Baker

Fans stormed the pitch and threw bottles at the players after Argentina scored a late equaliser against Morocco as Olympic football kicked off with confusion and chaos in Saint-Etienne.

Cristian Medina netted in the 16th minute of injury time to salvage what looked like a 2-2 draw for Argentina in the men’s football Group B fixture before being pelted with bottles and cups from the stands. Supporters then invaded the pitch and started throwing firecrackers, with some players visibly flinching before heading off down the tunnel at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium

Fans storm pitch and throw bottles as Argentina v Morocco at Olympics ends in chaos

France foils a plot on the Paris Olympics days before the opening ceremony, authorities say

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

French security authorities have thwarted a plot against the Paris Olympics, the country’s interior minister said Wednesday, two days before the official start of the Summer Games.

France has been on high alert over the past few weeks as preparations to host the 2024 Olympics hit the final stretch. The Games officially kick off with a lavish and high-security opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday.

France foils a plot on the Paris Olympics days before the opening ceremony, authorities say

Andy Murray confirms Olympic singles and doubles plan for tennis swansong

17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Andy Murray has almost certainly played the last singles match of his career after revealing he was set to play only doubles at the Paris Olympics.

The 37-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that his fifth Games would be his final event, but he has still not fully recovered from the surgery to remove a spinal cyst he had a week before Wimbledon.

Murray will instead focus on doubles alongside Dan Evans as he chases a fourth Olympic medal.

Andy Murray confirms Olympic singles and doubles plan for tennis swansong

Team GB confirm Charlotte Dujardin’s replacement

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

News through from Team GB with Charlotte Dujardin’s replacement in the dressage trio now confirmed. Becky Moody will now compete on her gloriously-named horse, Jagerbomb. Andrew Gould and Indigro have been added to the squad as alternates and will now travel to Versailles.

Paris 2024: Fans storm pitch during opening day of Olympic football

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The official Olympics website has now declared Argentina 2-2 Morocco as “finished”, though reports in the Argentine press suggest that players are still awaiting official confirmation.

Meanwhile, up in Paris, Ireland are underway with a tight 10-5 win against the Blitzboks. To wins on the bounce for an Irish rugby side against South African opposition at the Stade de France.

Paris 2024: Fans storm pitch as Argentina secure dramatic draw against Morocco

16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Now, there are some conflicting reports from Saint-Etienne, where fans stormed the pitch after the latest of equalisers from Argentina against Morocco earlier. That leveller, in the 16th minute of stoppage time, seemed to be the final kick of the game, but there are now suggestions that the whistle never blew, and the match has instead been suspended pending a VAR check.

Fans have been asked to leave the stadium. We’ll try and keep you updated.

Andy Murray announces retirement from tennis after Olympic Games

16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sir Andy Murray has announced he will retire from tennis after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Murray exited Wimbledon for the final time alongside his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles, having. He was not able to play in the singles competition due to injury or the mixed doubles due to the withdrawal of his partner Emma Raducanu.

And in the week before the Games, he announced it would be his last tournament.

Andy Murray announces retirement from tennis after Olympic Games

Emma Finucane draws confidence from the ‘noise’ surrounding her Olympics debut

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Emma Finucane wants to take confidence from the expectations that have built up around her Olympics debut, but is determined not to be fazed by them.

The 21-year-old is still a relative newbie, but will go to Paris with a target on her back after becoming the individual sprint world champion in Glasgow last year, then doubling up as European champion in January at the start of the year.

“I would describe it as noise,” Finucane said of the hype around her. “There are a lot of people saying things and I’ve learned to take it as confidence. I’m going to use it when I need it, but also I’m going there with my own goals.

Emma Finucane draws confidence from the ‘noise’ surrounding her Olympics debut

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

As expected, a big win for Fiji to open up the defence of their men’s sevens crown, Uruguay dispatched 40-12. The Fijians have endured some turbulent times over the last couple of years, with some coaching controversy and a few key individuals stepping away from the programme, but sweeper Jerry Tuwai is back for these Olympics and just adds so much smartness and solidity. They could again be hard to stop.

Next up in Paris: Ireland and South Africa. The Blitzboks had to come through the final repechage in Monaco having missed out to Kenya on the African qualifying spot, but at their best they are medal contenders. Ireland, meanwhile, have been the coming force of the last few years, and have bolstered their ranks with the outstanding Hugo Keenan.

Jannik Sinner withdraws from Olympics

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Some major news ahead of the start of the tennis at Roland Garros later in the Olympics - Jannik Sinner, the world no. 1, has been forced to withdraw due to tonsilitis.

“I am saddened to inform you that unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the Paris Olympic Games,” Sinner said in a statement. “After a good week of clay training I started to feel unwell.

“I spent a couple of days resting and during a visit the doctor found tonsillitis and strongly advised me against playing. Missing the Games is a huge disappointment as it was one of my main goals for this season.

“I couldn’t wait to have the honor of representing my country in this very important event. Good luck to all the Italian athletes who I will support from home. Forza Italia.”

Paris 2024 football: Argentina secure dramatic draw

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What a finish in Saint Etienne! Argentina strike in the final minute of 15 added on to snatch a draw against Morocco!

How crucial could that be for Javier Mascherano’s side? Cristian Medina managed to divert a header home after a goalmouth scramble!

In Group C, meanwhile, Spain are underway with a 2-1 win against Uzbekistan.

Olympics 2024 medal table: How every nation stands in Paris

16:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There are still a few days until the first medals are awarded in the French capital, but this is a useful one to store in your bookmarks for future use - The Independent’s medal table will be updated as the results come in from Paris with China looking to overhaul the United States at the top of three having ended one gold short of their rivals in Tokyo.

Olympics 2024 medal table: How every nation stands in Paris

Paris 2024: Antoine Dupont and France held in rugby sevens opener

15:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Boos from the home crowd at the Stade de France as the United States turn down the chance to chase victory with the scores locked at 12-apiece in Group C. It’s probably the pragmatic play with two third-placed finishers reaching the last eight and a very winnable game against Uruguay to come, but not a popular call among the sizeable crowd in at the capacious Saint Denis arena.

Paris 2024: USA ahead of France at half-time

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Antoine Dupont is trying his best to conjure something but the USA are narrowly in front at half-time at the Stade de France. Mike Friday’s experienced Eagles have defended excellently so far, having little of territory or possession but holding out for long periods before striking with their lone opportunity. They lead 7-5 - but this is a contest firmly in the balance.

Paris 2024: A goal back for Argentina against Morocco

15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A lifeline for Argentina in Saint Etienne thanks to a goal from Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico Madrid boss and former midfielder Diego. They have 20 minutes or so to find an equaliser against Morocco.

Paris 2024: Antoine Dupont makes Olympic debut

15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A mighty roar as Antoine Dupont and the rest of the French sevens team emerge, the Stade de France bouncing as if it’s a Six Nations decider rather than an opening group game. The United States are the hosts’ first opponents.

Paris 2024: Rugby sevens latest

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Better news for Argentina’s sevens stars. Kenya battled hard but eventually fell to a 31-12 defeat in the pair’s rugby opener in Paris, with the fit-again Marcos Moneta scoring late on for one of the real favourites for men’s victory in the condensed format.

Next on the docket at the Stade de France - this man...

Paris 2024 - Morocco double lead against Argentina

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well well well. A potential shock on the opening day of football competition with Morocco now 2-0 up on Argentina, who many felt might go well over the next couple of weeks. Soufiane Rahimi converts from the penalty spot to put the Atlas Lions on course for a significant win.

Rob McCracken sees bright future for GB boxing going into Paris Games

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

From Nicola Adams’ triumphant coronation at London 2012 to Galal Yafai’s mesmerising run through the flyweight ranks in Tokyo, Rob McCracken has presided over the most successful period in Great Britain’s Olympic boxing history.

McCracken’s 15-year reign as performance director, starting in 2009 as part of a major domestic overhaul ahead of London 2012 has yielded a total of 15 medals, the same number as the sum total from the 12 preceding Games stretching back to 1964.

But despite a truncated cycle and a mixture of politics and pandemics which he believes are a contributary factor to a team of just six qualifying for Paris – Team GB’s smallest boxing team since Amir Khan was the lone standard-bearer in Athens in 2002 – McCracken insists the picture is as bright as ever.

Rob McCracken sees bright future for GB boxing going into Paris Games

How new kit at the Olympics can empower women and ‘separate gold from silver’

15:05 , Sonia Twigg

Team GB hockey player Tess Howard believes wearing the “right” kit in events like the Paris 2024 Olympics can “make the difference to feel like you belong on the world stage”.

The difference between men’s and women’s kit has grown, despite Paris 2024 being hailed as the “gender-equal games”, with women usually wearing tighter-fitting outfits made of less material than their male counterparts.

How new kit at Paris Olympics can empower women and ‘separate gold from silver’

Paris 2024 - latest football updates

14:56 , Karl Matchett

It’s half-time in the two opening men’s football matches and we’ve had goals in both now.

First, Uzbekistan found a leveller just before the break against Spain, Eldor Shomurodov who plays for Roma in Italy, scoring that equaliser from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 in Group C.

And in Group B, it could be a bit of a surprise on the cards as a well-worked goal saw Soufiane Rahimi score from close range after a great move down the right, Morocco leading Argentina 1-0 there.

Australia’s men kick off rugby sevens with win over Samoa

14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It was a fast start from Samoa to the rugby sevens opener, but a brace from Henry Hutchison and a scorching second half score from Nathan Lawson and help take Australia to a 21-14 victory in Paris. The Aussies do have 15s flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase in their squad, though we didn’t see much of the Wallaby in the opener.

A vital win, that, with medal contenders Argentina and the ever-dangerous Kenya also in Group B. But a try with the clock dead could prove crucial for Samoa with points difference likely to determine which two of the three third-placed finishers make the last eight.

The Charlotte Dujardin horse-whipping scandal puts dressage’s Olympic future at risk

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is one North Star at the Olympics, one inalienable truth that guides this movement through uncertain times. Athletes measure success in gold, silver and bronze but the International Olympic Committee is a bit more brutal about the real bottom line.

Without sponsors and broadcasters, the Olympics would be a shell event, which is why the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) may soon be forced to make some difficult decisions about the future of dressage.

The whistleblowing lawyer who reported Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin to the FEI insists the incident is just the tip of the iceberg – and the sport simply cannot afford any more negative headlines.

The Charlotte Dujardin horse-whipping scandal puts dressage’s Olympic future at risk

Paris 2024 - latest football updates

14:35 , Karl Matchett

The first goal of the Paris Olympics has gone in - Spain lead 1-0 against Uzbekistan thanks to Marc Pubill, a 21-year-old defender who plays for Almeria at club level.

Here are the rest of today’s matches and timings, if there are any you particularly want to catch:

2pm: Group B - Argentina 0-0 Morocco (first half)

2pm: Group C - Uzbekistan 0-1 Spain (first half)

4pm: Group A - Guinea v New Zealand

4pm: Group C - Egypt v Dominican Republic

6pm: Group B - Iraq v Ukraine

6pm: Group D - Japan v Paraguay

8pm: Group A - France v USA

8pm: Group D - Mali v Israel

Women’s football group stage matches start tomorrow, Thursday.

Rugby sevens underway

14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sport number two of Paris 2024 is rugby sevens, back for a third Olympics with one of the faces of the games set to feature for France. Antoine Dupont, the best rugby player in the world, will spearhead the hosts’ gold medal bid ahead of Saturday’s medal matches, but first out on the opening day of competition at the Stade de France are Australia and Samoa.

Bryan Habana expects ‘box office’ Antoine Dupont to light up sevens at Olympics

Paris 2024 - latest football updates

14:27 , Karl Matchett

No goals in the two early matches but there are group stage games all day today in the men’s football event.

Argentina have just won the Copa America at senior international level; Man City’s Julian Alvarez is one who was in both that squad and this one now in Paris, with the team being coached by former Liverpool and Barcelona star Javier Mascherano. They are currently 0-0 with Morocco.

Elsewhere, Spain are similarly involved just weeks after triumphing with their seniors, having won Euro 2024. They are 0-0 with Uzbekistan - Alex Baena and Fermin Lopez are both playing having been squad members in Germany too.

Salt Lake City awarded 2034 Winter Games as IOC insert ‘termination clause’

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Salt Lake City was awarded the 2034 Winter Olympic Games on Wednesday following a vote of the International Olympic Committee.

The US city, which hosted the 2002 Winter Games, earned 83 votes out of 89 at the IOC session, having been named the preferred choice in June.

“To the people celebrating back home: we are back baby, the Olympics are coming back to Utah,” said Utah governor Spencer Cox, who was part of the presentation team, along with Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn, to the IOC session in Paris.

Salt Lake City awarded 2034 Winter Games as IOC insert ‘termination clause’

How Keely Hodgkinson can spark a ‘golden era’ for British athletics at Paris Olympics

14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Could Keely Hodgkinson lead Team GB to a glittering Olympics? Ben Bloom looks at Great Britain’s chances of athletics success in Paris:

How Keely Hodgkinson can spark a ‘golden era’ for British athletics in Paris

Football action underway!

14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We have lift off. The action at Paris 2024 is underway with men’s football first to kick off. Argentina are facing Morocco at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint Etienne, where the atmosphere sounds electric, while Uzbekistan and Spain are just getting going at the Parc des Princes, too.

Keely Hodgkinson: Team GB’s 800m star embracing favourite tag at Paris 2024 Olympics

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Keely Hodgkinson knows that she will never experience the lack of pressure she enjoyed at her maiden Olympics but is embracing the tag of favourite at Paris 2024 this summer.

The middle-distance star announced herself to the world in Tokyo three years ago, taking silver over 800m and breaking Dame Kelly Holmes’ British record while still just a teenager.

Keely Hodgkinson: Team GB’s 800m star embracing favourite tag at Paris 2024 Olympics

Canadian assistant coach kicked out of Olympics after drone incident

13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Canadian women’s football team assistant coach and an analyst have been kicked out of the Olympic squad after New Zealand said its team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of their Group A opponents, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) said on Wednesday.

Head coach Bev Priestman has also removed herself from coaching the team against New Zealand in Group A on Thursday, the COC added.

“Joseph Lombardi, an unaccredited analyst with Canada Soccer, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately,” COC said in a statement.

“Jasmine Mander, an assistant coach to whom Mr. Lombardi reports to, is being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and will be sent home immediately.”

Priestman apologised for the offence.

“On behalf of our entire team, I first and foremost want to apologize to the players and staff at New Zealand Football and to the players on Team Canada,” she said.

“This does not represent the values that our team stands for. I am ultimately responsible for conduct in our program.

“Accordingly, to emphasize our team’s commitment to integrity, I have decided to voluntarily withdraw from coaching the match on Thursday. In the spirit of accountability, I do this with the interests of both teams in mind and to ensure everyone feels that the sportsmanship of this game is upheld.”

The drone was flown on Monday and the incident was reported by the NZOC to the police and to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit.

Coco Gauff joins LeBron James as Team USA flagbearer

13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After LeBron James was confirmed as one of Team USA’s Paris 2024 flagbearers earlier this week, it’s now been announced that Coco Gauff will join the NBA legend in carrying Old Glory at Friday’s opening ceremony on the Seine.

Coco Gauff picked as Team USA flag bearer for Olympics opening ceremony

What does AIN mean at the Paris Olympics?

13:30 , Karl Matchett

The small number of Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete under a new banner at Paris 2024 with the Olympic committees of both nations banned from the Games.

At the Olympics, they will compete under a tag of “AIN” - both the acronym and IOC country code. A teal flag has been designed to be raised at a medal ceremony if required.

The IOC has also produced an independent anthem, with no lyrics, to be played for any Russian or Belarusian gold medal winners. They will also not be involved in the opening ceremony.

What does AIN mean at the Paris Olympics?

What are the rules on political protests and the punishments at Paris 2024?

13:20 , Karl Matchett

The 2024 Olympics get underway this week, with the 33rd Games taking place in Paris between 24 July and 11 August.

And though much of the focus will be on the sporting drama, events throughout the world will inevitably be put into the spotlight during a competition that has a long history of political protest and expression.

The war in Ukraine, continued Israeli strikes in Gaza and France’s recent election are just a few events that may be referenced during the Games. The Olympic website says that ”the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the IOC are fully supportive of freedom of expression”, and while that may be true, some previous events dispute that idea.

So, what are the rules around political protest at the Olympics, and what are the potential punishments for breaking them?

Olympics 2024: What are the rules on political protests and the punishments?

The Olympic sports in Paris with no British athletes competing

13:10 , Karl Matchett

Record medal hauls may be mooted for Team GB when the Paris Olympics get underway in the French capital, but there are some Games venues at which the Union flag will be conspicuous by its absence.

The tentacles of sustained podium success, spread liberally by almost £250m of UK Sport funding for the Paris Olympic cycle alone, have yet to reach the wrestling mats of the Champ-de Mars-Arena or the glittering fencing venue at the Grand Palais.

Besides team sports like volleyball and handball, in which Britain mustered brief token gestures for London 2012, they are the largely forgotten individual sports or disciplines which offer scant hope of a change in fortunes.

The Olympic sports in Paris with no British athletes competing

Breakdancing and E-sports are next after new events like skateboarding engage youth

13:00 , Karl Matchett

Rewinding the clock three years: The Independent’s Lawrence Ostlere is off to Paris to cover the games this week, but three years ago he was just returning from Tokyo. Here’s his look at the success of the “Covid Games”...and how it showed what to expect next time out.

Moments after the American 20-year-old Jagger Eaton had finished competing in the men’s skateboarding street final, having been one of the few Olympians to perform with AirPods in his ears, he pulled out his phone to start an Instagram live video for his near-half a million followers.

It was an example of what the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hoped to gain by introducing new and in some cases controversial sports like skating, surfing, climbing, BMX freestyle and 3x3 “street” basketball. Eaton and Britain’s 13-year-old Sky Brown were exactly the kind of new-age stars the IOC was looking for: young, fearless, with international appeal; entertainers perfect for the digital world, with talent that could be packaged up and spread in bite-sized clips.

An Olympic shake-up had been in the works for a decade or more, and the IOC was particularly alarmed by a sharp fall in viewing figures at Rio 2016 and data which revealed a declining interest among young people. Announcing new events for Tokyo later that year, IOC president Thomas Bach said: “We want to take sport to the youth. With the many options that young people have, we cannot expect any more that they will automatically come to us. We have to go to them.”

The numbers are expected to show that new sports have helped attract new audiences, often with eye-catching shows of tricks and spins which brought a different kind of entertainment to the Olympics’ traditional ledger. They displayed a different kind of spirit too, with camaraderie forged over many years away from the Olympic spotlight. Climbers worked together to share tips on how to conquer the wall, while skaters rushed to hug and support one another whether they had flown or fallen.

This is just the start.

Breakdancing and E-sports are coming to the Olympics after new events like skateboarding engage youth

The Afghan women athletes defying Taliban to compete in Paris Olympics: ‘Do not forget us’

12:50 , Karl Matchett

When she steps out onto the cycling track at the Paris Olympics on 27 July, Yulduz Hashimi won’t just be fulfilling a childhood dream. She will also be carrying a flag for all women in Afghanistan who are denied the same sporting opportunities that have taken her to the Olympics.

Hashimi, 24, is one of three Afghan women athletes competing in the 2024 Games. The others are her younger sister Fariba Hashimi, 21, also a cyclist, and Kimia Yousofi, a sprinter who was Afghanistan’s flagbearer at the previous Olympics in Tokyo.

“From the first day of my cycling career, I dreamt that one day I would represent my country in the Olympics, and my dream has now come true. I am so happy now and excited that I am finally participating in the Games,” she tells The Independent.

They aren’t representing their homeland in the traditional sense, because the de facto Taliban government there doesn’t recognise them. Indeed, the Islamist regime doesn’t allow women to play sports at all publicly, or attend school.

For Premium subscribers:

Afghan women defy Taliban to compete in Paris Olympics

Charity says welfare of horses comes first amid Charlotte Dujardin whipping controversy

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Owers says the Charlotte Dujardin horse whipping controversy is a “massive wake-up call for anyone who thinks this is not important”.

The charity welcomed Dujardin’s decision “to take full responsibility and withdraw from the Paris Olympics” after the British Olympian was provisionally suspended by equestrian’s governing body.

Charity says welfare of horses comes first amid Dujardin whipping controversy

Video shows Charlotte Dujardin repeatedly whipping horse as she drops out of Olympics

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Footage of three-time Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin repeatedly whipping a horse has been broadcast by Good Morning Britain.

Dujardin, 39, who was expected to be one of the stars of Team GB this year, was banned from the Paris Games after she was criticised for mistreating the horse.

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has said that the Olympian’s conduct contradicted standards of horse welfare and announced it had provisionally suspended the rider for six months.

Good Morning Britain aired the footage exclusively for the first time on Wednesday (24 July), which shows Dujardin whipping the horse while a student was riding in the saddle.

Meet the Paris 2024 stars determined to continue Team GB’s Olympic triathlon legacy

12:30 , Karl Matchett

Alex Yee is determined to burnish the Brownlee brothers’ triathlon legacy and keep the good times rolling for Team GB.

Paris 2024 will be the first Olympics without a Brownlee since Athens 2004 after Alistair’s Olympic distance retirement and Jonny’s narrow failure to earn selection for the Games.

Yee heads to the French capital as the man to beat having won last year’s Test Event and fully aware that he is now GB’s undisputed main man in the swim, bike and run.

“I wouldn’t say the baton has passed on to me, but I feel a responsibility now that sadly, Jonny isn’t here,” said the 26-year-old.

“We’ve got to keep their legacy living on. We’ve got such a rich heritage in British triathlon, and I’d love to keep that going. For me, watching the Olympics and then being able to be on a team with some of those guys, I hope I can do a similar thing with somebody in a few years’ time. That’s how the cycle goes and I’m really looking forward to the next few years with that enjoyment of people supporting me.”

All three Tokyo medallists return here, with reigning champion Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway attempting a devilishly difficult step back down from Ironman to Olympic distance.

Yee is a huge new medal hope for Great Britain but the women’s contingent boasts world champion Beth Potter and Tokyo gold medallist Georgia Taylor-Brown.

Meet the Team GB stars determined to continue Olympic triathlon legacy

How Roy Keane is inspiring Team GB to end 36 years of Olympic men’s hockey hurt

12:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Among those British medals could be two in hockey, with Team GB’s women now well established contenders and the men turning to an unlikely inspiration as they seek their own podium return.

How Roy Keane is inspiring Team GB to end 36 years of Olympic men’s hockey hurt

UK Sport sets high Team GB medal target for Paris Olympics

12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Great Britain stand a strong chance of landing a record post-War Olympic haul in Paris, according to UK Sport’s director of performance, Dr Kate Baker.

The elite sports funding agency has set a target range of between 50 and 70 medals for the impending Games, despite Team GB being set to field its smallest team since 2008.

UK Sport sets high Team GB medal target for Paris Olympics

Olympics 2024: How much money do athletes win for gold, silver and bronze?

12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

World Athletics is the first international governing body to award prize money at the Olympic Games as it rewards gold medal winners at Paris 2024.

The governing body has confirmed that it would provide a total prize pot of $2.4m (£1.9m) in the capital of France, with gold medallists receiving $50,000 (£39,400) and relay quartets splitting the reward.

Olympics 2024: How much money do athletes win for gold, silver and bronze?

The Olympic sports with no British athletes competing

11:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Record medal hauls may be mooted for Team GB when the Paris Olympics get underway in the French capital, but there are some Games venues at which the Union flag will be conspicuous by its absence.

The tentacles of sustained podium success, spread liberally by almost £250m of UK Sport funding for the Paris Olympic cycle alone, have yet to reach the wrestling mats of the Champ-de Mars-Arena or the glittering fencing venue at the Grand Palais.

The Olympic sports in Paris with no British athletes competing

Paris 2024 Olympics

11:40 , Karl Matchett

Just two tennis icons hanging out in Paris - what more do you want?

Carlos Alcaraz will be representing Spain and Andy Murray is there for Team GB - and the Scot has confirmed he’ll be retiring after the Olympics.

How to watch the Olympics in the United Kingdom

11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Viewers may remember from Tokyo 2020 that the BBC’s coverage was not as extensive, with the national broadcaster limited to showing live action on a single linear channel and online live stream. That agreement remains in place for Paris 2024:

Olympics 2024 live stream: How to watch every Paris event online and on TV

Olympics pundits and commentators for BBC and Discovery+

11:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With live action getting underway today, here’s your reminder of the faces you can expect to see on your telly boxes in the United Kingdom over the next three weeks or so.

Olympics pundits for BBC and Discovery+, from Gabby Logan to Laura Woods

The Chinese swimming doping scandal casting doubt at the Paris Olympics

11:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The build-up to the aquatics events has been somewhat overshadowed by a doping scandal involving a large portion of the Chinese team at Tokyo 2020. Jack Rathborn explains the situation:

The Chinese swimming doping scandal casting doubt at Paris Olympics

First look at Olympics swimming venue

11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Courtesy of stalwart BBC commentator (and 1988 butterfly bronze medallist) Andy Jameson, here’s a detailed look at the rather impressive swimming venue for Paris 2024. The La Defense Arena is usually home to French rugby club Racing 92 and is quite the place, boasting the world’s largest interactive big screen and a thumping sound system.

Matt Richards: Swimming is different, it’s a life-saving skill

10:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Team GB’s prospects in the pool look promising, too. Among their many medal contenders is Matt Richards, who has a relay gold in his pocket from Tokyo but now seeks individual success. Jack Rathborn went to meet the freestyler:

Matt Richards: Swimming is different, it’s a life-saving skill

From civil war to Olympic favourites: Inside Team GB’s remarkable rowing transformation

10:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There is bouncing back and then there is what Team GB’s rowers have done since Tokyo. The miserable regatta that GB endured three years ago has been well documented, featuring six fourth places, no gold for the first time since 1980 and a whole load of acrimony.

Now Great Britain look favourites to top the medal table on the water in Vaire-sur-Marne. Tom Harle details how they’ve engineered a remarkable turnaround.

From civil war to Olympic favourites: Inside British rowing’s amazing transformation

French Alps set to host 2030 Winter Olympics

10:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

France was conditionally picked as the host of the 2030 Winter Games on Wednesday and must now deliver key financial guarantees in a timeline to be set by the International Olympic Committee, the IOC said.

The French Alps bid was the IOC’s preferred choice since June but due to elections and a current caretaker government had been unable to deliver the necessary state and regional financial guarantees in time.

Bids from Salt Lake City, Switzerland and Stockholm were also in the running, but back-to-back Winter Olympics are now set to be held in Europe with preparations well under way for Milano Cortina 2026.

French Alps bid backed by President Macron approved as host of 2030 Winter Olympics

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB’s Olympic Taekwondo star and part-time model chasing gold at Paris 2024

10:20 , Lawrence Ostlere

If you haven’t yet heard of Caden Cunningham yet, there’s a good chance you will have by the end of these Olympics.

Cunningham is square-jawed with sunken brown eyes under a fuzz of hair; wide shoulders and a pristine posture, standing 6ft-plenty. He’s a part-time model – GQ magazine recently dubbed him “an Olympic prince (and a menswear king)” – a full-time Taekwondo champion, and he loves the stage.

Cunningham is only 21 but has already won a string of medals and became the European heavyweight champion in May. He arrives in Paris this week as a serious contender for gold, armed with a self-assurance that practically kicks you in the face. “Regardless of whether I win or lose [in Paris],” he says, “I’m confident I could go for the next four years and really pick up speed in Taekwondo and conquer this heavyweight division. I am starting to do it now.”

Meet Caden Cunningham, GB’s rising Taekwondo star and model chasing Olympic gold

Canada accused of spying on Olympic football rivals after drone incident at Paris 2024

10:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand’s Olympic Committee says its women’s football team had their training session disrupted by a drone flown by a staff member of the Canadian team they face in Group A on Thursday.

“On July 22, a drone was flown over the New Zealand women’s football team training session in St Etienne,” the NZOC said on Tuesday.

“Team support members immediately reported the incident to police, leading to the drone operator, who has been identified as a support staff member of the wider Canadian Women’s football team, to be detained.”

The incident was immediately reported to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit and Team Canada has since apologised and is said to be investigating, the NZOC said.

Canada accused of spying on Olympic football rivals after flying drone at Paris 2024

Australia Olympics chief criticises Dutch team for selecting convicted rapist Steven van de Velde

10:00 , Karl Matchett

Australian Olympics chief Anna Meares has said that a convicted rapist would not be picked for the country’s Olympics team, after Steven van de Velde was named in the Netherlands’ beach volleyball squad.

Van de Velde, now aged 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to three counts of rape against a child when he was 19. He met his 12-year-old victim on Facebook, and travelled from Amsterdam to Milton Keynes, where the incident happened in 2014.

Van de Velde, who was allowed to serve his sentence in the Netherlands, was behind bars for just 12 months of the four years and then resumed his career in volleyball, competing in international tournaments since 2018 and eventually being selected for the Netherlands squad for Paris 2024 in June.

Olympics chief criticises Dutch team for selecting convicted rapist van de Velde

Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

09:50 , Karl Matchett

American hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg will be among the torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame in the final stretch before the opening ceremony of Paris 2024 this Friday.

Snoop Dogg, 52, will carry the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis – the northern Paris suburb that is home to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium – the town’s mayor Mathieu Hanotin confirmed on X/Twitter.

Snoop Dogg to carry Olympic torch ahead of opening ceremony in Paris

Olympics chiefs play down Covid fears as first athletes test positive

09:40 , Karl Matchett

Olympics chiefs have played down fears of a Covid cluster at the Paris Games after the Australia water polo team reported two players had tested positive and were isolating.

The Australian team said the first athlete to test positive for Covid chose not to train with her teammates on Tuesday afternoon and a second player, who was a close contact, later also tested positive.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were delayed by a year and held largely without spectators but Paris 2024 will be the first post-pandemic summer Olympics. While there is no obligation to wear a mask, anybody with symptoms is being asked to stay at home or at their hotel to avoid spreading the disease.

“I need to emphasise that we are treating Covid no differently to other bugs like the flu. This is not Tokyo,” Australia’s Olympic team chief Anna Meares told a press conference on Tuesday.

Olympics chiefs play down Covid fears as first athletes test positive

Paris 2024 starts today - full day schedule

09:30 , Karl Matchett

As noted, today is effectively when the action starts, with football and rugby sevens first on the agenda. Here’s what to watch out for in full (all times BST):

Football

2pm: Men’s football Group B - Argentina v Morocco

2pm: Men’s football Group C - Uzbekistan v Spain

4pm: Men’s football Group A - Guinea v New Zealand

4pm: Men’s football Group C - Egypt v Dominican Republic

6pm: Men’s football Group B - Iraq v Ukraine

6pm: Men’s football Group D - Japan v Paraguay

8pm: Men’s football Group A - France v USA

8pm: Men’s football Group D - Mali v Israel

Rugby Sevens

2:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool B - Australia v Samoa

3pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool B - Argentina v Kenya

3:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool C - France v USA

4pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool C - Fiji v Uruguay

4:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool A - Ireland v South Africa

5pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool A - New Zealand v Japan

6pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool B - Australia v Kenya

6:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool B - Argentina v Samoa

7pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool C - France v Uruguay

7:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool C - Fiji v USA

8pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool A - Ireland v Japan

8:30pm: Rugby Sevens men’s Pool A - New Zealand v South Africa

Olympics 2024 live

09:20 , Karl Matchett

As mentioned, officially the Games get underway on Saturday following Friday’s opening ceremony - but today on “Day -2” and on again on Thursday, there are the first events taking place, simply to fit in with the schedule for those sports.

If you want a full run-down of what’s on and when, this is the page you want to bookmark.

Today is rugby sevens and football, tomorrow it’s both those again as well as archery and handball.

Paris 2024 Olympics schedule and day-by-day events

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website