Recap of all the Day One action from the Rio Olympics
MACK Horton delivered a classic burn to rival Sun Yang after winning the gold, and our women’s relay team rewrote the record books.
Live: Rio Olympics, day one
Australia has enjoyed a successful first day of action at the Olympics in Rio, capped off by two gold medals won in the pool. Mack Horton won gold in the 400m freestyle and our women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team broke a world record as they stormed home to beat the Americans.
Our men’s and women’s basketball teams both enjoyed victories, as did our women’s Rugby Sevens team, while our men’s archery team won Australia’s first medal of the Games when they beat China to pick up bronze.
However, the news wasn’t as good for the Hockeyroos and our male water polo players, with both sides losing, while the Matildas conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Germany.
12.35pm
GOLDEN GIRLS BREAK WORLD RECORD
A sensational third leg by Bronte Campbell has propelled Australia to a world record and our second gold medal of the day in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
Emma McKeon and Brittany Elmslie opened up for the Aussies, before Campbell sisters Bronte and Cate — who swum last — brought it home.
The Aussies beat the United States and Canada, who came second and third respectively.
It meant the quartet combined to defend the title Australia won in London four years ago.
They finished with a time of 3.30:65.
Understandably, all four were thrilled with the result. Speaking poolside after the race, Cate joked that Katie Ledecky — who swum the final leg for the Americans — never had a chance of touching the wall before her.
“I was thinking, ‘She’s nothing to me, she’s dead to me,’” Campbell joked. “To be honest I knew she had no chance of getting anywhere near me,” she said before breaking into laughter.
It is the first time Australia has ever defended its 4x100m freestyle title, and it’s also the first time Australian sisters have won gold together in a swimming event.
The girls said they were relaxed in the locker room beforehand, even singing songs to keep the nerves at bay. Not just any songs, but Get Low by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz — a staple at any high school dance.
Bronte Campbell gave a quick rendition on the pool deck: “To the window, to the wall ...”
No matter your musical tastes, no one will begrudge them singing whatever the heck they like after their incredible performance.
Following a horror campaign at the London Olympics in 2012, two gold medals on Day One points to a brighter Games for Australia’s swimmers this time around.
12.25pm
AUSSIE’S HEARTBREAKING MISS
Jake Packard came agonisingly close to a berth in an Olympic final, but he just missed out after finishing ninth fastest in the men’s 100m breastroke.
He missed out by 0.03 of a second.
“I’m just stoked to be here and it’s a great atmosphere, but .03 of a second — it’s a bit heartbreaking, but you’ve got to move on.”
11.35am
HORTON WINS GOLD
Australia’s Mack Horton has won gold in the men’s 400m freestyle.
He edged out Chinese rival Sun Yang at the end to clinch Australia’s first gold medal of the Games.
He has had his run-ins with Yang — who has previously served a ban for a positive drug test — already in Rio, with the Chinese swimmer reportedly splashing him and trying to distract the Aussie at practice.
Asked afterwards if his victory was a win for the “good guys” given his rivalry with Yang, Horton had no doubts.
“Definitely a win for the good guys,” Horton said. “I don’t know if it’s a rivalry between me and him (Yang), more between me and athletes who have tested positive.”
In an Olympics that has been dogged by doping controversies, Horton’s parting shot at Yang capped off his sweet moment in the pool.
The 20-year-old swum a personal best time of 3:41.55. He started slowly and was sixth at the third turn, but his strength has always been the back end of the 400. He timed his late charge to perfection, living up to the hopes of a nation.
Italy’s Gabriele Detti won the bronze.
Blinking shyly behind his spectacles, Horton added insult to injury as he backed up remarks he made earlier in the day with a pulsating victory in Rio.
Asked for his thoughts on doping violators Sun and South Korean Park Tae-Hwan competing at the Games, Horton sniffed:
“I don’t have time or respect for drug cheats.” That prompted an outcry from Chinese journalists who sabotaged Horton’s victory press conference demanding to know why he had used such frank language.
“I used the word ‘drugs cheat’ because he tested positive,” replied Horton. “It’s not a question about me and Sun. I just have a problem with athletes who’ve tested positive and are still competing.” The row overshadowed a race that had everything -- lead changes galore and a thunderous finish, Horton refusing to flinch as he won by a fingertip, edging Sun to win by just 0.13 seconds in a time of 3:41.55.
Italy’s Gabriele Detti roared home in the final 50 meters to capture bronze in 3:43.49 but the race merely proved to be the ‘amuse bouche’ to the verbal skirmishes that followed.
“That last 50 I was kinda thinking about what I said and was like ‘if he gets me here it’s not going to look great’ so I really didn’t have a choice but to beat him,” grinned Horton, savouring his victory over Sun.
11.10am
AUSSIES FALL SHORT IN THE POOL
Thomas Fraser-Holmes and Travis Mahoney finished sixth and seventh respectively in the men’s 400m individual medley — the first swimming final of the night in Rio.
Both fell short of their personal best times, but former Olympian Giaan Rooney said it was a great effort to have two Australians even make the final. Both Fraser-Holmes and Mahoney were pleased they’d given it the best possible crack.
“I'm happy with that, I left everything in the pool tonight,” said Fraser-Holmes.
“I gave it my all ... unbelievable experience with a full crowd, I soaked it all in and gave it my best shot,” added Mahoney.
Kosuke Hagino won gold for Japan.
In one of the women’s 100m butterfly semi-finals, Aussie Emma McKeon swum a personal best to book her place in the last eight. She came second to Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom with a time of 56.81 — eight 100ths of a second better than her previous best.
11am
HOCKEYROOS FALL TO GREAT BRITAIN, AUSSIES STRUGGLE IN WATER POLO
The Hockeyroos lost 2-1 to Great Britain in their opening game of the Olympics, and Australia’s male water polo players also suffered defeat, going down 7-8 to Brazil.
In the pool Richie Campbell scored twice for the Aussies, but three goals to Brazil’s Adrian Baches helped clinch the victory for the hosts.
The Hockeyroos went down a goal early against the Brits and couldn’t recover.
10.15am
USA BEATS CHINA
Everyone knows Team USA is the favourite to win gold in the men’s basketball given the ridiculous talent in the team, but it’s only taken them one game to start taking the p***.
The Americans demolished China — as expected — 119-62 on Sunday morning, and even they knew they were never in doubt of losing. Here’s the proof.
Hahahaha Team USA played Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide who could shoot free throws GIVE THEM GOLD NOW pic.twitter.com/WAmLRLMxCe
— SB Nation (@SBNation) August 6, 2016
The US won the first quarter 30-10, before taking it easier in the second. But even DeMarcus Cousins, Kyrie Irving and co in third gear are near unstoppable, and they proved as much in their first outing of the Games.
10am
BOXER’S CRACK AT MCILROY
Some Olympians swear off social media at the Games to avoid any unnecessary distractions. Irish boxer Paddy Barnes clearly isn’t one of them.
The 29-year-old has been busy mingling with some of the biggest names in world sport, but while the Olympics is usually associated with patriotism, he’s been anything but kind to one of his fellow Irishmen.
Barnes snapped a selfie with Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki — who was engaged to golfer Rory McIlroy before he infamously broke off their engagement. Barnes then rubbed the world No. 4’s nose in it.
Hey @CaroWozniacki I think we make a great couple, what ya think @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/Fk2nbMjlRh
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
But there was no malice in the jab apparently, according to Barnes’ later tweet.
I'd say @McIlroyRory thinks I hate him,I don't haha I'm just bored and having the craic mate!
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016
8.50am
MATILDAS DEAL WITH HEARTBREAK
The Matildas suffered a cruel blow when they gave up a 2-1 advantage in the final minutes of their clash with Germany, having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
The Aussies took the lead in the sixth minute when Sam Kerr beat the keeper at the near post, and then they doubled their lead when Lisa De Vanna made a burst down the left and crossed to set up Caitlin Foord.
However, a wonder strike by Germany’s Sara Dabritz just before half-time brought the number two ranked side in the world back into the contest. Then the Germans scored again in the 88th minute to salvage a draw and prevent what would have been a huge upset.
Having already lost to Canada, Australia now sits third in their group with a solitary point, making it highly unlikely they will progress in the tournament. Germany has four points and Canada has six.
The Matildas will play Zimbabwe on Wednesday morning (AEST).
Click here for a full match report.
8.15am
OPALS BEAT BRAZIL
Aussie women’s basketball team the Opals followed the lead set by the men’s team as they comfortably defeated Brazil.
Despite taking a while to hit their straps, a dominant final quarter — in which Australia outscored the hosts 27-13 — saw them wrap up an 84-66 victory.
Click here for a full match report.
8am
BRAZILIAN GYMNAST BREAKS DOWN
Brazilian gymnast Diego Hypolito broke down in tears after finishing his floor routine on Sunday morning.
The 30-year-old cried for over a minute and was wrapped up in a warm embrace by his coaches.
But these were tears of joy.
He scored 15.5, which will likely see him get into the floor exercise final.
Four years ago in London Hypolito face-planted during a floor routine during qualifying, cruelling his medal hopes. He also fell in the final at Beijing in 2008, finishing sixth after qualifying first.
“I’m competing in my third Olympic Games. The first two Olympic Games, I fell on floor,” Hypolito said.
“I started crying because I had worked for 12 years for this moment.
“I tried to be calm and just do what I did in training.
“After two Olympic failures, it is very difficult to show your face again at the Olympic Games. Today, my soul was cleansed.”
7.50pm
WOMEN’S SEVENS TEAM KEEPS WINNING
The Aussie women’s Rugby Sevens team continued the perfect start to their campaign with a 36-0 win over Fiji.
After beating Colombia 53-0 in their first match, Australia was again rarely troubled by the island nation, stepping up their physicality to ease through the game.
Click here for a full match report.
7.30am
TEAM USA’S UNEXPECTED BROTHEL VISIT
Reports suggested members of the US men’s basketball team must have taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way while exploring the streets of Rio.
As per TMZ Sports, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar Rozan and DeAndre Jordan allegedly walked into a brothel, thinking it was a spa.
Once they realised their error they reportedly left the venue, called Termas Monte Carlo.
6.30am
AUSSIES WIN FIRST MEDAL
Australia is on the board after our archery team won a bronze medal.
It’s the first time an Australian men’s archery team has won an Olympic medal.
Well done #archery boys winning bronze and @AUSOlympicTeam first medal of #Rio2016
— Damon Kelly (@damonkelly) August 6, 2016
6am
US STARS’ RIDICULOUS SELFIE
There’s all shapes and sizes at an Olympic Games — a reality perfectly highlighted by this ridiculous selfie posted by US athlete Ragan Smith.
The artistic gymnast is just 15 years old and competing in her first Games — and she relished the opportunity to get up close and personal with NBA star DeAndre Jordan, who will anchor the middle for the men’s basketball team.
Ragan is just 137cm tall — a long way below the 2.11m Jordan. Her waist is about the same height as his knee, her head at his navel.
The US men’s tip is once again a hot favourite to win gold in the medal and will begin its tournament today against China (starts 8am AEST).
🇺🇸â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/ivOZfJSiib
— Ragan Smith (@raganesmith2000) August 6, 2016
5.45am
AUSSIES OPEN SPITTING FIRE
There were some up and down performances from Australia on Day One but no one was holding anything back.
A few hours later, rising distance swimmer star Mack Horton ignited a major feud with Chinese doper Sun Yang ahead of today’s 400m freestyle final by slamming the reigning Olympic champ as a “drug cheat” who he does not respect.
Sun tried to intimidate Horton during the training pool in Rio a few days ago, splashing him to try to interrupt his concentration in the middle of his session.
Horton ignored him but had no trouble calling him out after the pair qualified for the 400m freestyle final in second and fourth respectively.
“It kind of got played up in the media a little bit, he kind of splashed me to say hi and I ignored him because I don’t have time or respect for drug cheats and then he wasn’t too happy about that so he kept splashing me and I just got in and did my thing,” Horton said.
5.30am
PORTE SKIDS OUT OF ROAD RACE
Richie Porte crashed out of the road race in with 35km to go as Greg Van Avermaet claimed gold for Belgium. Porte was with the main contenders on the descent of the Chinesa Vista when he skidded off the road.
It was later confirmed he had a broken collarbone and has withdrawn from the time trial.
5am
MEDIA DODGE BULLET
A bullet struck the media centre at the Olympic Equestrian venue this morning, fuelling security fears at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
An AFP journalist at the media centre saw a clear hole where the bullet had tore through the canvas roof.
A TVNZ report said the bullet narrowly missed a New Zealand team official who was badly shaken by the incident.
5am
RESULTS
In other results, Aussie tennis star John Millman made Olympics history by becoming the first ever player to win a match 6-0 6-0.
The men’s basketball team (Boomers) beat France, our men’s hockey team (Kookaburras) beat New Zealand 2-1 and our women’s beach volleyball pairing of Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy defeated Costa Rica in straight sets.
Our women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team also set a new Olympic record in the heats as they booked a place in the final later today.
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