Biles eyes Olympic gymnastics glory as Marchand cruises in the pool

Paris, 1 Aug  - Simone Biles bids to write another chapter in her historic Olympic story by recapturing the all-around gymnastics title Thursday, as home hero Leon Marchand launched his campaign for an astonishing fourth medal in the pool.

As early storms gave way to glorious blue skies over Paris, the Olympics athletics programme kicked off with golds in the 20-kilometre walk heading to Ecuador and China.

Torrential early rain forced a half-hour postponement to the start of the men's walk, but the clouds parted as the athletes took to the course -- a stunning loop crossing the River Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower.

US star Biles steps back into the spotlight seeking to become the first woman ever to regain the Olympic all-around title after she famously withdrew in Tokyo with the debilitating condition that gymnasts call "twisties".

The 27-year-old returned to the top of the podium on Tuesday with team gold, her eighth Olympic medal, five of them gold, to become the most decorated US Olympic gymnast.

Biles, the reigning world champion, wants to do it in style with a new skill on uneven bars that would be the sixth unique skill named after her.

But Biles faces a stiff challenge from teammate Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, who is on a comeback trail every bit as compelling as her compatriot.

Lee was diagnosed with two undisclosed kidney conditions in early 2023. 

However, she declared herself "in remission" in April and considers herself stronger than she was in Tokyo.

Another top contender is Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, who said it was an honour just to compete against Biles.

"She's a reference, a role model for the whole world, gymnastics and athletes alike, to see how happy she is to compete. That's what sport is all about," said Andrade.

- 'Hurt a bit' -

French superstar Marchand showed few ill-effects from his extraordinary double gold on a pulsating night in the Olympic pool on Wednesday, cruising through his 200m individual medley heat.

The 22-year-old, hoping to win a fourth gold, is fast becoming the home nation's Olympic pin-up and fans again went wild when he entered the La Defense Arena, cheering his every stroke.

Britain's Duncan Scott narrowly pipped him to the wall in the heat, but Marchand should have plenty left in the tank for the semi-final later Thursday.

"It's pretty good for a heat. I'll be good tonight in the semi-final," he said.

He revealed he had not got to sleep until 4:00 am after the electric atmosphere on Wednesday night, waking up again at 8:00 am to compete.

"Mentally and physically it hurt a bit but I'm so pleased with what I did last night," he said.

Meanwhile, the men's and women's 20km walk races brought up the curtain on the athletics programme.

Italy's Massimo Stano was bidding to become the first man to win back-to-back gold in the event after triumphing in Tokyo but he was beaten into an agonising fourth, with Brian Pintado from Ecuador taking gold.

Pintado clutched a family photograph as he crossed the line before being connected to loved ones via a live link.

"I want my country to give me a house for my children and I don't want anything more," said Pintado.

In the women's race, China's Yang Jiayu produced a dominant performance to take gold, the fourth Chinese winner in the seven times the event has featured at the Olympics.

- McIntosh on stardom path -

Another packed evening schedule in the pool includes the women's 200m butterfly final, featuring 17-year-old Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh, fast becoming one of the stars of the Games.

Already 400m medley champion and 400m freestyle runner-up, McIntosh faces a stacked field including defending champion Zhang Yufei from China.

The 200m women's breaststroke features South Africa's Tatjana Smith, aiming to become the first woman to do the double since compatriot Penny Heyns at Atlanta 1996.

Smith won Tokyo 200m gold in a world record 2min 18.95sec, and is in red-hot form after securing the 100m title on Monday.

Other golds up for grabs include kayak canoeing, fencing, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting.

Golf teed off with eight of the world's top 10 competing, including two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and the world's top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler.

Hideki Matsuyama from Japan took the early lead, registering a five-under par first nine.

On the iconic red clay of Roland Garros, British tennis legend Andy Murray was again seeking to stave off retirement in the doubles quarter-finals, following two barely believable wins in previous rounds.