As it happened – Paris 2024 Olympics, Day 4: Kaylee McKeown wins gold, men’s relay bronze; tough losses for rugby sevens and Boomers

What a brilliant night, but the day wasn’t always so forgiving for the Aussies.

That’s because our first news to report was the men’s triathlon being delayed because of the stinky Seine. And honestly, it didn’t get a whole lot better after that (please do bear with me here, the pay-off is coming, I promise).

The Boomers lost to Canada (that was a weird theme of the day); The women’s rugby sevens lost to Canada (see?) – then they were stunned in the bronze-medal match against the USA; Australian shooter James Willett entered the men’s trap final in first place through two rounds of qualifying, then crashed out. The Kookaburras lost by four goals, and earlier in the day poor old Lani Pallister had to withdraw from the women’s 1500m freestyle after testing positive to COVID-19.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian felt the frustration.Credit: AP

But there were some bright spots! They’re coming, folks. This is a place for positivity, after all, and I’d hate to develop a reputation for being some kind of Grinch who stole the Olympics.

Simone Biles’ return has been one of the storylines of the Games. She led Team USA to gold in the women’s all-round team gymnastics. Earlier, the men had a thumping 4-0 win in the water polo.

Now let’s talk about that night at the pool (well, I’m going to, and I hope you’re up for it – your company has been elite).

Kaylee McKeown, certified legend and backstroke genius, thundered home in the second 50m to win the women’s 100m and defend her title from Tokyo.

That gives her three individual Olympic gold medals, putting her in very elite company. And! It means Australia is third on the medal table (couldn’t see Team GB up there...).

How. Bloody. Good.Credit: Getty Images

Kyle Chalmers (men’s 100m freestyle), Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack (women’s 100m) and Zac Stubblety-Cook (men’s 200m breaststroke) all booked their place in blockbuster finals tomorrow morning.

Join us again on Day 5 for a monster day of action (seriously, scroll a few blog posts down and see where I attempt to unpack the 14 hours and 21 minutes between the first and last Australian action of the day. Thermos required. We’ve been over this).

I genuinely hope you’ve enjoyed our live coverage, and do forgive me for the occasional all-caps outbursts, tired pop culture puns and complaints about the coffee.

From me, Rob Harris and Chole Saltau at Paris HQ, it’s bonsoir for now. We’ll see you soon.

Nightcap: In case you missed it overnight, enjoy this picture of Mick Jagger surrounded by younger-generation types without a clue who the great man is.

Because charts are cool.

And let’s just watch that win one more time, shall we?

Amid all the excitement from the pool (and there’s a LOT folks), there’s a result to bring you from the men’s hockey.

Australia has suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat to Belgium. The Kookas won their first two matches over Argentina and Ireland but now slip to third in Group B.

Next up? Our mates from New Zealand.

A big loss for the Kookaburras.Credit: AP

Folks. Six Australian gold medals.

And we’re third on the medal table. THIRD. Come on now!

They pair with silver medals for the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, Ariarne Titmus in the women’s 200m freestyle, Elijah Winnington in the men’s 400m freestyle and Christopher Burton in the equestrian – and bronze for the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team.

A recap on the golds:

• Grace Brown in the women’s road cycling individual time trial;
• Ariarne Titmus in the women’s 400m freestyle;
• The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team;
• Jess Fox in the women’s kayak singles (K1);
• Mollie O’Callaghan in the 200m freestyle;
• Kaylee McKeown in the women’s 100m backstroke.

Here’s that medal table. How are you doing down there, Team GB?

Max Giuliani, Flynn Southam, Elijah Winnington and Tommy Neill – take a bow.

What a fantastic, fantastic swim from the Aussies in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay to push Team USA all the way behind the incredible gold-medal team from Great Britain to claim bronze.

To be honest, they looked every chance of a silver in the final leg but our arch rivals (don’t mention the Smash ’Em Like Guitars moment) held on.

Oh, and hats off to Elijah Winnington. He’d only just caught his breath from the lung-busting men’s 800m freestyle final to join his teammates back on the pool deck for that wonderful swim.

Elijah Winnington, take a bow.Credit: Getty Images

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, how good is Kaylee McKeown? How good was that swim? How good is the sound of every apartment in the building shouting at the tele?

If the current results of this poll are indeed accurate, you overwhelmingly agree with my sentiment.

Anyway. You came here for the photos. And I’m more than happy to oblige.

Credit: Getty Images

Credit: AP

Credit: Getty Images

Credit: Getty Images

Aussie Kaylee McKeown has gone back-to-back in the women’s 100m backstroke to defend the gold medal she first won in Tokyo.Credit: Getty Images

Credit: AP

Zac Stubblety-Cook is on track to defend his men’s 200m breaststroke Olympic gold medal, but he has the weight of France hoping for a new champion.

The Australia qualified second fastest for tomorrow’s final behind the uber-talented Frenchman Leon Marchand – with 0.46 of a second between them.

That will be an unreal final.

But tonight, there’s one more: the men’s 4x200m freestyle final.

For Australian interest (and much, much more), tomorrow’s events run for a lazy 14 hours and 21 minutes. Who’s with me?

It kicks off at 4pm with the women’s triathlon (well, if it actually goes ahead...) and concludes with Kyle Chalmers in the men’s 100m freestyle final around 6.21am Thursday morning.

That’s a huge send – and I know you’re up for it. Your boss/partner/kids will understand. It’s once every four years. It’s Disneyland for adults.

That jam-packed, delicious schedule includes, but is not limited to: rowing, boxing, hockey, basketball, water polo, 3x3 basketball, shooting and judo.

PLUS.

Jess Fox goes for a second gold, our BMX legends are both in medal contention, it’s a huge night at the pool (Kyle, Mollie O, Shayna, Zac) – and a little old team you may have heard, named the Matildas, are playing.

Can Jess make it two from two?Credit: Getty

And gee do they need a win. Against the USA.

That’s at 3am (AEST) – and if you’re not joining us for that then stop reading this, find the nearest mirror and start asking questions.

We can do this if we just stick together. Right? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Paying tribute to her late dad:

The medal ceremony:

How good are Australian women in the pool? Seriously. What a Games so far.