10:04 am today

Olympics 2024: Athletes to look out for on 28-29 July, the Games' second day

10:04 am today
Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand in action.

Lewis Clareburt, a world champion in the 400m individual medley, could be on the brink of becoming an Olympic medallist. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

After a strong showing on the first official day of the Olympics, there's plenty more action coming up for New Zealand athletes.

Saturday night (NZT) saw victory for swimmer Erika Fairweather in the 400m freestyle heats, earning her a spot in the final. But she narrowly missed out on winning New Zealand's first medal this Olympics after finishing fourth.

Rowers Tom Mackintosh, Emma Twigg, Lucy Spoors, Brooke Francis, Robbie Manson and Jordan Parry also had strong showings and secured places in the quarterfinals.

With rugby sevens, artistic gymnastics, equestrian cross-country, sailing, football and mountain biking all on the schedule for day two, sports fans will be spoiled for choice.

Here's who to look out for. All times are in NZT.

For the full New Zealand athlete schedule, click here.

New Zealand's Erika Fairweather competes in  a heat of the women's 400m freestyle swimming event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris, on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP)

Erika Fairweather is taking to the pool again. Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

Erika Fairweather, 200m freestyle swimming heats, 9pm Saturday

The 20-year-old swimmer is back in action again and vying for a spot in another final.

She won silver in the 200m freestyle at this year's world championships in Doha, so odds are good that she'll sail through these heats.

Lewis Clareburt, 400m individual medley heats, 9pm Saturday

Danyon Loader is New Zealand's only Olympic swimming champion to date, but there is a good chance that Lewis Clareburt will soon join him.

Clareburt competed alongside Fairweather at the Doha world champs, where he won the 400m individual medley title.

He also made the finals for both the 200m and 400m medleys at the Tokyo Olympics, but finished down the field.

Jo Aleh and Molly Meech at the 49er FX Sailing World Championships 2023.


Credit: Sailing Energy / World Sailing.  12 August 2023.

Jo Aleh and Molly Meech at the 49er FX Sailing World Championships in 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jo Aleh and Molly Meech, women's 49er FX sailing, 1.35am Sunday

Flagbearer Jo Aleh is a two-time Olympic medallist, having won gold at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016 alongside crew mate Polly Powrie.

Aleh has since teamed up with Rio silver medallist Molly Meech, with the pair set to compete in the 49er FX.

These Games mark a return to top-level sailing for Aleh, who took five years off after Rio to focus on coaching.

Black Ferns Sevens, women's rugby sevens, 4am and 7.30am Sunday

The Black Ferns Sevens have been on the podium both times since the sport was introduced to the Olympics in 2016 - now it's time for a three-peat.

The team's history in the sport is unrivalled, having won the World Series five times and being World Cup champions in 2013 and 2018.

They take on China at 4am, then Canada at 7.30am.

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