Chang Yani of Team Republic of China practices during a diving training session ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 23, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo: VCG

 
Chinese divers and shooters will fight for the first gold medal on offer at the Paris Olympic Games on the first day of competition after the opening ceremony on Saturday.

According to the schedule of the competition, the first gold of this Paris Games is likely to be won in either the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event or the women's synchronized 3-meter springboard. Both events are traditional strengths of the Chinese team and are also events in which the Chinese team aims to defend their titles. 

In previous Olympic Games, the Chinese shooting team secured the first gold medal for the Chinese delegation multiple times. For the event this time, China will field a "double insurance policy" of Huang Yuting/Sheng Lihao and Han Jiayu/Du Linshu to compete for the first gold medal.

The young pair of Huang and Sheng has consistently excelled in recent international events, such as the World Cup and the World Championships. Sheng earned a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics at 16 and has continued to build both confidence and skills. Huang, 17, has also demonstrated remarkable progress, making the duo a strong contender.

The other pair featuring Han, 10-meter air rifle gold medalist at the 2023 ISSF World Championships, adds depth to China's shooting team.

"China's success in this event historically suggests that either pair could secure the gold. The chance may come down to their on-site form under the high stakes of the Games," Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times. 

China has obtained full quotas in pistol, rifle, and team events at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. 

Luciano Rossi, president of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), holds high expectations for China's performance in Paris.

"With China securing full quotas for the Paris Games, there is great anticipation for China's performance. I'm confident that Chinese athletes will showcase their skills, determination, and sportsmanship on the world stage, inspiring future generations of shooters," he told the Global Times during an earlier interview. 

Since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the Chinese diving team has never missed out on a gold in the women's synchronized 3-meter springboard. Chen Yiwen and Chang Yani, who triumphed at the same event at the World Aquatics Championships in February with a convincing performance, will be aiming for their first Olympic gold medal together.

"I think that both my partner and myself are well-prepared for the game," Chang said in Paris.