Fighting spirit: Australians in action during week one of the Paris Olympics 2024 – in pictures

Photographers captured the highs and lows of the country’s elite athletes as they competed during the first week of the Games

Main image: Australia's Jack Robinson rides in a barrel in the second heat of the men's surfing round 1 on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photograph: Ben Thouard/AFP/Getty Images

  • The flagbearers of Australia, Jessica Fox and Eddie Ockenden, pose for a photo while cruising on the Seine during the athletes’ parade at the opening ceremony.
    Jessica Fox and Eddie Ockenden, who are the flagbearers of Team Australia, pose for a photo with the illuminated Eiffel Tower while cruising on the River Seine during the athletes’ parade at the opening ceremony.

  • Grace Brown on her way to winning Australia’s first medal at the 2024 Olympics. She took home the gold for the women’s road cycling individual time trial.
    Grace Brown competing in the women’s road cycling individual time trial won Australia’s first medal at the 2024 Olympics taking home the gold.

  • Matildas forward Hayley Raso heads the ball during during the match against Germany.
    Matilda’s forward Hayley Raso heads the ball during during the match against Germany.

  • Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith compete in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard diving final.
    Maddison Keeney and Anabelle Smith compete in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard diving final.

  • Skateboarder Chloe Covell is airborne during the women’s street final skateboarding competition at La Concorde urban park.
    Skateboarder Chloe Covell during the women’s street final skateboarding competition at La Concorde Urban Park.

  • Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky, captured using an underwater robotic camera, compete in the women’s 400m freestyle final.
    Ariarne Titmus and Katie Ledecky,captured using an underwater robotic camera, compete in the women’s 400m freestyle final.

  • Nathan Lawson scores the team’s first try while under pressure from Taunuu Niulevaea of Samoa during the men’s rugby sevens Pool B group match.
    Nathan Lawson scores the team’s first try whilst under pressure from Taunuu Niulevaea of Samoa during the men’s rugby sevens Pool B group match.

  • Ruby Pass in action on the uneven bars artistic gymnastics, women’s qualification, subdivision 5.
    Ruby Pass in action on the uneven bars artistic gymnastics, women’s qualification, subdivision 5.

  • Kevin McNab and horse Don Quidam clear a hurdle during the equestrian eventing individual cross country leg. McNab later retired from the event after his horse was injured.
    Kevin McNab and horse Don Quidam clear a hurdle during the equestrian eventing individual cross country leg.

  • Patty Mills goes to the basket in the men’s preliminary round group A basketball match between Australia and Spain.
    Patty Mills goes to the basket in the men’s preliminary round group A basketball match between Australia and Spain.

  • Teagan Levi and Maddison Levi are comforted by members of the crowd following Australia’s defeat during the women’s rugby sevens bronze medal match between Team America and Team Australia.
    Teagan Levi and Maddison Levi are comforted by members of the crowd following Australia’s defeat during the women’s rugby sevens bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia.

  • Finn Luu hits the ball during the table tennis men’s singles round of 64 match against Alberto Miño of Team Ecuador.
    Finn Luu competes during the table tennis men’s singles rRound of 64 match against Alberto Mino of Team Ecuador.

  • Jim Colley and Shaun Connor compete during the men’s skiff 49er sailing event at the Marseille Marina.
    Jim Colley and Shaun Connor compete during the Men’s Skiff 49er Sailing event at the Marseille Marina.

  • Kaylee McKeown celebrates after winning the final of the women’s 100m backstroke.
    Kaylee McKeown celebrates winning the final of the women’s 100m backstroke swimming event .

  • Marena Whittle shoots the ball during the women’s basketball pool round on day four.
    Marena Whittle hoots the ball during the women’s basketball pool round on day four of the Olympic Games.

  • Gold medallist Jessica Fox celebrates on the podium after winning gold in the women’s canoe slalom single.
    Gold medalist Jessica Fox celebrates on the podium during the women’s canoe slalom single final medal ceremony.

  • Australia’s Penny Smith competes in the shooting trap women’s final at the Châteauroux shooting centre, where she won a bronze medal.
    Australia’s Penny Smith competes in the shooting trap women’s final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, where she won a bronze medal.

  • Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez in action during their mixed doubles quarter finals match against China at Roland-Garros stadium.
    Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez in action during their mixed doubles quarter finals match against China at Roland-Garros Stadium.

  • Natalya Diehm celebrates after her run in the BMX freestyle final. She won a bronze medal and is the first Australian woman to win a medal in this event.
    Natalya Diehm celebrates after her run in the BMX freestyle final. She won a bronze medal and is the first Australian woman to win a medal in the Olympic BMX freestyle event.

  • Bronte Halligan swims with the ball during the women’s preliminary round group A water polo match against the Netherlands.
    Bronte Halligan swims with the ball during the women’s preliminary round group A water polo match against the Netherlands.

  • Logan Martin flies through the air during the men’s cycling BMX freestyle park final.
    Logan Martin competes in the men’s cycling BMX freestyle park final .

  • Natalie Van Coevorden, centre, in the middle of the pack in the swim leg of the women’s individual triathlon competition.
    Natalie Van Coevorden, center, competes in the swim leg of the women’s individual triathlon competition.
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