Rio 2016: 5 things we learned from day 1

Cycling – and things got off to a sticky start for Tour de France hero Chris Froome and Team GB colleague Geraint Thomas in a dramatic road race. Sadly for Thomas he was the man at the centre of the drama when he came off during the descent. However, Froome goes for gold in Wednesday’s time trial, where he hopes to better his London 2012 result which saw him claim bronze. Leading cycling experts have said the best way to achieve his goal is for him to not fall off his bike at any point during the race.

Britain’s Adam Peaty proved to be anything but a damp squib in the swimming pool when he absolutely smashed the 100m breaststroke by half a second (it doesn’t sound much, but that’s quite a lot, apparently). Swimming analysts have calculated that if he replicates this performance and swims faster than everyone else has ever swum in the final, then he will almost probably win the gold medal for Britain.

 
Bizarre scenes in the beach volleyball (and no this isn’t going to be the usual, shallow observation about Dad suddenly becoming interested in the Olympics) match between China and Switzerland. China were initially awarded the match after a net fault by the Swiss team. Understandably they thought they'd won, were celebrating loudly and were about to be interviewed by the host broadcaster. However, the Swiss complained, the officials overruled the result and it was game on again…and then game over again within minutes of the restart, after the Chinese duly scored the points they needed. It’s a wonder the Swiss didn’t ask for best of three.

Rowing now, and the somewhat choppy conditions on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas have been causing concerns – cross-winds and waves have been causing all kinds of bother for competitors, not to mention the giant squid which rose from the depths half way through the Double Skulls event and caused absolute mayhem. Actually, I might have been making that last bit up. Anyway, some experts have pointed out that the choppy conditions  might make for good TV, but the boats aren’t designed for such treacherous conditions. All things taken into consideration, it doesn’t look good for Team GB’s chances in the Coxless Pedalo.

It’s been revealed that 450,000 condoms have been supplied to the Olympic Village. That’s the equivalent to two per day for each athlete - which makes you think is this the world’s greatest sporting event – the greatest show on Earth? Or the equivalent of a massive all-inclusive to Magaluf? If an athlete wants a contraceptive, they’re dispensed from green hoppers in public places, which is slightly more preferable to the embarrassment of having to buy them from your local chemist where your friend’s Mum works.