Paris 2024 Olympics day 10: GB track cycling world record; Biles pipped to gold; athletics and more – live

In the pole vault, Sam Kendricks of USA, the closes challenger to Mondo – nominally speaking – is over 5.70 at the first time of asking.

So, back to the cycling, Germany face Netherlands in the bronze-medal match at 6.54pm, then at 6.59 it’s GB v NZ for th gold and baddest initials.

The first heat of the men’s steeplechase is over, and through to the next round are:

1. Soufiane El Bakkali (Morocco)

2. Peruth Chemutai (Uganda)

3. Getnet Wale (Ethiopia)

4. Daniel Arce (Spain)

5. Ahmed Jaziri (Tunisia)

There was some kind of collision earlier on that I didn’t see; I’ll let you know if there’s any comeback.

Meanwhile, David Hilmy has some cycling thoughts to share: “Some of the track speed will be related to track geometry but simply put, although temperature is a factor it’s actually not really about a warm Paris because the temperature inside the velodrome will be controlled. There are four environmental factors that will determine most of the speed: yes temperature, but also humidity and air pressure which all combine to affect the fourth which is air density.

Air temperature is proportional to the kinetic energy generated between vibrating air molecules – there is more resistance when temperatures are low, so relatively higher temperatures would be good for quicker times. Humidity and air pressure are inversely proportional so an increase in atmospheric pressure decreases humidity but if there is an increase in humidity, air pressure is lowered and low air pressure is less dense. When air density is relatively high it is harder for cyclists to push through, but when air density is low the fewer air molecules you have banging into you, so low air density would also facilitate quicker times. Therefore, relatively high temps and humidity would create low air pressure and low air density which in turn would be ideal conditions for fast speed. As the temperature inside the velodrome can be controlled, I expect it will be maintained relatively warm and humidity will most likely be dictated by weather outside, therefore if it is humid or stormy (currently 35% humidity in Paris) and the velodrome can be kept relatively warm (I believe they usually keep the velodrome at 25C), those environmental conditions would combine to create low air pressure and low air density and therefore would be ideal conditions for fast speeds.”

Consider me telt.

“Morocco v Spain hasn’t been the most thrilling match,” reports Kári Tulinius, “as evidenced by the fact that a flock of pigeons has had peace to hang out in both penalty boxes, pecking at seeds.”

I guess that shouldn’t be surprising given how Morocco played at the World Cup and Spain’s love of keeping the ball.

On the track now, the first heat of the men’s 3000m steeplechase is under way.

Thanks Jim and hi everyone. We’ll have to go some to match the ludicrosity of last evening, were ludicrosity a word, but we’ll see what we can fo because we’ve all sorts coming up.

• In cycling, we’ve the women’s team sprint heats currently under way – Germany have just broken the world record – with the medal races coming up just before 7pm BST. Laura Kenny is confident the GB women willb ring this one home.

• Starting now, we’ve the men’s pole vault final, with Armando “Mondo” Duplantis one of the hottest favourites in any event.

• At 6.55pm, the men’s 200m runners get going. Any idea who the favourite is?

• Currently, Morocco lead Spain 1-0 at half-time of their men’s football semi; later on, it’s France v Egypt.

• At 7.45pm, it’s the women’s 200m semis and 8.15 it’s the women’s 5000m final, an open race that could be a classic.

• At 8.47pm. Keely Hodgkinson goes in the final of the women’s 800m.

• At 9 and 9.30pm we’ve the final of the 3v3 basketball, women first, then men.

• And plenty more besides. On y va!

And

Here’s the best of today’s Olympic pictures and there will be plenty more to follow too as attention turns to the evening’s entertainment.

That’s me done for today – Daniel Harris is your expert guide for the next stint. Goodbye!

Women’s Hockey – Netherlands beat Great Britain 3-1

Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit

Italy may be the reigning Olympic champions but they post an underwhelming time and go into fourth place. So, Great Britain are in second with Australia sitting pretty at the top ahead of tomorrow’s pedal for the medals.

Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – The Netherlands go 3-1 up against Great Britain. That could be the jig up with less than fifteen minutes to go, big response needed.

Luna Fokke slots in the rebound for the Netherlands after a fine tumbling save from Maddie Pritchard. The Yves-du-Manoir Stadium is decidedly raucous as the fans cheer on both sides – the Olympic dream could be slipping away though for Team GB & NI.

Thanks to Justin Horton who emails in with some drama in the men’s football semi final between Spain and Morocco.

“Dear James, I would hate you or your readers to miss the drama in the Spain v Morocco football semi-final where the scoreline remains nil-nil but we have a replacement referee, Ilgiz Tantashev having been bundled over in midfield and having to leave the pitch to be replaced by Glenn Nyberg.”

The mind wanders back to Hillsborough in 1998 when Paulo Di Canio sent referee Paul Alcock tumbling – somewhat elaborately it has to be said.

“I can only imagine that the goalkeepers are both keeping snacks near their goals” writes Edward Graves… “Given the flocks of pigeons that keep congregating there. Maybe they’re spitting sunflower seeds into the penalty area?”

It’s chips for pigeons isn’t it? Where’s Jack Duckworth when you need him? Didn’t think I’d manage to drop that name into an Olympics liveblog, one for the kids.

Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit

Australia get round 0.283 seconds faster than great Britain! The Aussies got top and knock GB’s team of Ethan Hayter, Oliver Wood, Daniel Bigham and Ethan Vernon into second place. Italy still to ride, we could see some more records fall in the velodrome very soon.

Cycling – Men’s Team Pursuit

The British team are still at the top of the qualification standings with a few teams still to ride. France slip into second place but their time was a whopping two seconds slower than Team GB.

Reigning Olympic champions and world record holders Italy are still to take to the track though and a strong Australian outfit are about to take their turn.

Thanks very much to ‘C’ who gets in touch over email to explain why the velodrome in Paris is likely to see some hot laps.

The air pressure is low because it’s been pretty hot in Paris, which means the air is less dense and riders can go faster – essentially fewer particles to bump into along the way! But the track is also faster cos it’s a metre wider than normal, meaning you can gain more height in the banking to then swoop down and gain speed.

It’s a pretty new vélodrome and I remember at the first World Champs hosted there they wanted to establish its reputation as a fast track so they cranked up the heating (warmer air – less dense), but that created condensation on the air con unit which then dripped onto the track, so someone with the longest mop you’ve ever seen had to quickly brush it each lap after the riders passed – it was very funny!”

Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Half Time

Netherlands 2 – 1 Great Britain & Northern Ireland

The goal stands and in a double blow Team GB lose their review too. They head into the sheds a goal down but are in this match against a very strong Dutch side.

Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Tense moments as the goal is reviewed…

Women’s Hockey Quarter Final – Three minutes left in the second quarter and Team GB are giving the Dutch more than they bargained for, some flouncing and stick waving from the Netherlands as they get frustrated at a penalty corner chance wasted. Laura Peel goes charging through the centre for Great Britain & NI, there’s been plenty of scrappy play in the middle of the sun scorched pitch.

Thirty seconds left in the half and the Dutch are awarded a penalty corner – can GB cling on here? Drag and flick – saved on the line but in goes the rebound! 2-1 to the Netherlands on the stroke of half time!

Men’s Cycling – Team GB post an impressive time of 43.241 seconds in the men’s team pursuit. That’s another marker laid down, that time is nearly four seconds (Can that be right? Seems loads) faster than the Belgian team. Australia and New Zealand are still to ride and could push Great Britain close.

I do have half an eye on the Hockey and the Netherlands nearly go 2-0 up at the start of the second quarter! A goal line block from a penalty corner frustrates the team in orange and they have another shot just fly wide. The Netherlands are all over Great Britain like the proverbial cheap suit at the moment…

Just as I type that Team GB win a penalty corner. Charlotte Watson about to fling it in and THERE IS THE GOAL! Hannah French lifts in the rebound with an ice cool finish. That’s French’s third goal of these Olympics and it is game well and truly on with ten minutes to go until half time.

I’m going to stay tuned to the cycling with the Men’s Team Pursuit qualifying about to get underway.

Elsewhere it is a bad start for Team GB in the women’s hockey quarter final against the mighty Dutch. Xan de Waard has just sent the Oranje section of the crowd into raptures by belting a goal past Miriam Pritchard in the Team GB goal after a matter of seconds! Netherlands 1 Great Britain 0 in the very early stages.

Team GB have really laid down a marker there in the women’s Team sprint qualifying. All the noise is that the velodrome is a ‘quick one’ and records are likely to tumble.

I guess it is something to do with the atmospherics and air pressure. I can sort of understand but if any readers out there know the specifics do get in touch and I’ll give you full credit on the blog and promise not to pass off your expertise as my own.

The pool in Paris was meant to be a slow one wasn’t it? My sofa is medium-fast. If you’re interested.

Germany and China are thought to be the nearest contenders to Team GB in the women’s sprint – the medals of which will be decided later on today just before 7pm. China are the current Gold holders and they suffer from a false start! They get another chance but it is a disappointing overall time for them – currently sitting fifth with a time of 46.458.

World Record for Team GB in the velodrome!

Well with that my watch is over, a thrilling hour of kayak cross. James Wallace is here to take you through the next few hours. Enjoy.

Men’s kayak cross: Lukas Rohan in fourth but he did so well to get to the final in the first place, he is usually a canoe paddler.

There are more celebratory scenes with Butcher’s team jumping into the water.

Butcher wins men’s kayak cross gold

Women’s kayak cross: Kim Woods came through the race last but Germany’s Alena Lilik picked up a fault so she gets promoted.

The entire Fox family has jumped into the water to celebrate with Noemie, what a Games it has been for them.

The men’s final next.

Fox wins women’s kayak cross gold

Axelsen win men’s singles badminton gold

Men’s kayak cross: The men’s small final now.

The order ends Martin Dougoud, Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar, France’s Boris Neveu, Poland’s Mateusz Polaczyk.

The finals now.

Women’s kayak cross: So this small final will determine fifth to eighth positioning at the Olympic games.

The order ends up: New Zealand’s Luuka Jones, Switzerland’s Alena Marx, Algeria’s Carole Bouzidi and Brazil’s Satila.

Women’s 10m platform: Heartbreak for GB’s Lois Toulson as she finished 13th, the top 12 qualified for the final.

China’s Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen are through, one and two on the leader board. GB’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix finished third to qualify for Tuesday’s final.

Australia’s Ellie Cole and Melissa Wu also join them.

Kayak cross: The women’s and men’s small finals – determining fifth to eighth – will take place before the finals.

Men’s kayak cross: The second semi sees Czech Republic’s Lukas Rohan in for the disqualified Titouan Castryck.

Oh my word, Rohan is into the final. France’s Boris Neveu had one eye on the finish line and it slows him down on the last gate. Wow. Germany’s Noah Hegge joins him.

Women’s final to come now.

Men’s kayak cross: The first semi-final sees GB’s Joe Clarke start really strongly, he has raced to a good lead here. The lead really helps when it comes to the gates, there is less of a battle around each.

It is Clarke and New Zealand’s Finn Butcher who are through to the semis.

Women’s gymnastics: The USA’s Simone Biles has spoken to reporters after her silver medal win on floor.

She said: “Today has been wild. I’ve been out on that floor so many times this week, so exhaustion sets in… I’m not very upset or anything. I’m happy, proud and even more excited that it’s over.”

Men’s badminton: The gold medal match is happening and Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen has won the first game 21-11 against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

Women’s kayak cross: The second semi-final is stacked full of stars with France’s Angele Hug probably favourite here.

GB’s Kim Woods is battling well and is well ahead at the moment but anything can happen in this sport! But Woods does qualify and Hug does expertly to battle back to a qualification spot. Wow.

No room for a breather, men’s semi-finals inbound.

Women’s 10m platform: In the semi-final there is no change at the top of the leaderboard.

GB’s Lois Toulson is currently 17th, it is just the top 12 who go through to the final.

Women’s kayak cross: The first of the semi-finals here and it is Australia Noemie Fox who gets ahead, this is absolutely electric.

The three behind Fox are in such a close battle but New Zealand’s Luuka Jones picks up a penalty as did Algeria’s Carole Bouzidi. So it is Fox and Germany’s Elena Lilik who are through to the final.

Men’s kayak cross: Well there has been a bit of drama, France’ Titouan Castryck has been pinged for a fault and so his qualification to the semis have been revoked.

Women’s gymnastics: There has been such a touching moment at the women’s floor medal ceremony. The USA’s Jordan Chile and Simone Biles, who won bronze and silver, have put a guard of honour for Rebeca Andrade, who won gold.

Men’s kayak cross: France’s Titouan Castryck and Germany’s Noah Hegge are the last paddlers to qualify for the semis.

This sport does not slow down as we head straight to the women’s semis.

Italy win skeet mixed team gold

Men’s kayak cross: This sport is absolutely crackers, it looks so much fun to participate in. France’s Boris Neveu revs up the crowd as he qualifies for the semi-finals.

Switzerland’s Martin Dougoud joins him from the third quarter-final.

Men’s kayak cross: That has now been confirmed that Ochoa faulted on the final gate and so he is not through to the semis.

In the second is Italy’s Giovanni di Gennaro, who won gold in the individual kayak event. Di Gennaro has an error and he doesn’t qualify. It’s New Zealand’s Finn Butcher and Poland’s Mateusz Polaczyk who will feature in the semi.

Women’s 10m platform: So the semi-finals have just finished the third round of five and the top of the leaderboard hasn’t changed. China’s Hongchan Quan and Yuxi Chen first and second, third is GB’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.

Men’s kayak cross: The quarter-finals are underway in these quarter-finals.

GB’s Joe Clarke is in a real battle with Spain’s Manuel Ochoa and they both look like they are going to go through. Clarke is through but Ochoa has a penalty on the last gate and so Slovakia’s Jakub Grigar is through. That hasn’t been confirmed yet as the judges review the decision. I’ll bring you the confirmation when we have it.

Women’s kayak cross: Mallory Franklin looks devastated after that result, if GB did log a challenge then it has been rejected as the result is now official.

Anthony has emailed me and said:

Hi Sarah, first time I’ve ever seen Kayak Cross. Or It’s a Knockout in a Boat as I’m calling it. It is definitely my favourite new addition to the Olympics. Carnage!

It is such a fun sport isn’t it, it’s one I’d definitely want to try.