Sobered by the early exit of their male counterparts from Olympic sevens contention, the NZ women will open their account, as they try to repeat their gold-medal success at Tokyo three years ago.
With an experienced core of survivors from that triumph, the Black Ferns Sevens enter the competition as warm favourites, after dominating the World Rugby series, only to stumble at the final hurdle at Madrid, where they lost to archrivals Australia in the semifinals.
They face China in their tournament opener, before a pivotal pool encounter against Canada, who also beat them at the same stage at the season finale, before tables were turned in the quarterfinals. Both those matches are scheduled for Monday morning (NZ time).
This event will also bring curtain down on the careers of Black Ferns Sevens stalwarts Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Tyla King.
Elsewhere, world champion Lewis Clareburt begins his campaign in the pool over 400m individual medley, with heats tonight and a likely final in our morning. Erika Fairweather is back in the water for 200m freestyle heats, still stinging from her fourth over the double distance.
Our rowers continue their heats in coxless pairs and fours, the Football Ferns take on Colombia in pool play, while tennis star Lulu Sun plays Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, after being promoted into the singles draw. She will also combine with doubles exponent Erin Routliffe for their rained-off match against Italy.
Athletes in action — Sunday, July 28
8.30pm
Equestrian: Clarke Johnstone, Jonelle Price and Tim Price in eventing cross-country at Chateau de Versailles
Rowing: Kate Haines/Alana Sherman in women's coxless pair heats at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
9pm
Swimming: Lewis Clareburt in men's 400m individual medley heats at Paris La Defense Arena
Rowing: Dan Williamson/Phillip Wilson in men's coxless pair heats at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
Swimming: Erika Fairweather in women's 200m freestyle heats at Paris La Defense Arena
Swimming: Kane Follows in men's 100m backstroke heats at Paris La Defense Arena
9.30pm
Rowing: Shannon Cox/Jackie Kiddle in women's lightweight double sculls heats at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
10pm
Tennis: Erin Routliffe/Lulu Sun v Italy in women's doubles first round at Roland Garros
Tennis: Lulu Sun v Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) in women's singles first round at Roland Garros
10.13pm
Sailing: Veerle ten Have in women's foiling races 1-4 at Marseille Marina
10.30pm
Rowing: Gowler/Spoors/Waddy/Williams in women's coxless four heats at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
10.50pm
Rowing: Macdonald/Maclean/Murray/Ullrich in men's coxless four heats at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
11.43pm
Sailing: Josh Armit in men's foiling races 1-4 at Marseille Marina
Monday, July 29
12.10am
Mountain bike: Sammie Maxwell in women's cross country at Elancourt HIll
12.50am
Artistic gymnastics: Georgia Rose-Brown in women's individual all-around at Bercy Arena
1.30am
Kayak slalom: Women's semifinals (Jones) at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
1.35pm
Sailing: Jo Aleh/Molly Meech in women's 49er FX races 1-3 at Marseille Marina
1.45pm
Sailing: Isaac McHardie/William McKenzie in men's 49er races 1-3 at Marseille Marina
3am
Football: Football Ferns v Colombia in women's pool play at Lyon Stadium
3.30am
Hockey: Black Sticks v Belgium in men's pool play at Yves du Manior Stadium
3.45am
Kayak slalom: Women's final (Jones) at Vaires sur Marne Nautical Stadium
4am
Sevens: Black Ferns Sevens v China in women's pool play at Stade de France
5am
Surfing: Women's Round 2 heats (Vette) at Teahupo'o Tahiti
6.30am
Swimming: Men's 400m individual medley final (Clareburt) at Paris La Defense Arena
7.30am
Sevens: Black Ferns Sevens v Canada in women's pool play at Stade de France
7.37am
Swimming: Men's 100m backstroke final (Follows) at Paris La Defense Arena
8am
Swimming: Woimen's 200m freestyle final (Fairweather) at Paris La Defense Arena
9.48am
Surfing: Men's Round 2 heats (Stairmand) at Teahupo'o Tahiti
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