Czechia wins first medals at Paris Olympics, with tennis stars taking gold

The Czech Republic won its first medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Friday evening, with tennis players Tomáš Macháč and Kateřina Siniaková securing gold in the mixed doubles tournament. The Czech duo triumphed in a gripping final against China's Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen, winning 6-2, 5-7, 10-8.

The victory marks the first Olympic gold in mixed doubles for Czech tennis, adding to the bronze won by Radek Štěpánek and Lucie Hradecká in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago. The Olympic gold medal is the second for Siniaková, who won the women's doubles tournament with Barbora Krejčíková at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

The doubles win represents the first Olympic medal for Macháč, but the tennis star will be looking to quickly add to that tally. On Saturday, he will compete for bronze in the men's doubles alongside Adam Pavlásk.

In addition to the gold from its tennis stars, the Czech Republic also secured a surprising bronze from its fencing team of Jakub Jurka, Martin Rubeš, Jiří Beran, and Michal Čupr in the men's team competition on Friday evening.

The fencers first defeated Italy in the quarter-finals and then overcame the world number one French team 43-41 in a thrilling match to win the bronze. Jurka played a pivotal role in both the quarter-final and bronze medal match, turning the tide in favor of the Czech team. The 42-year-old Beran, who is retiring, marked his final career appearance with an Olympic medal.

Politicians celebrate Czech Olympic success

Czech politicians are celebrating the success of both Tomáš Macháč and Kateřina Siniaková as well as the Czech fencing team in winning the country's first medals at the 2024 Summer Games. The Czech pair’s dramatic victory over the Chinese team has been widely praised across the political spectrum.

"A beautiful end to Friday evening with gold for Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč in the mixed doubles! Congratulations, it's a huge success," Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on social media, adding that Siniaková's two Olympic gold medals are an extraordinary sporting achievement.

"In the end, thanks to the opponent's double fault, there was great joy in the converted match point. Big congratulations," added Miloš Vystrčil, head of the Czech Senate.

"Thank you to Kateřina Siniaková and Tomáš Macháč for a great experience and incredible emotions! Huge congratulations, we are proud," added former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

"Hearty congratulations to our amazing athletes! You made us very happy with your great performances," added Markéta Pekarová Adamová, who also noted the "sensational" bronze won by the fencing team.

The 2024 Olympic Games run through Sunday, August 11, with many more Czech athletes competing for gold. Follow the Czech team through our running feed, updated daily here.