HOSTS France got their Games going with a bang on day one by winning gold in the men’s rugby sevens.

In front of an ecstatic crowd of 70,000 at the Stade de France, the French defeated reigning champions Fiji 28-7.

The dream final for the neutrals saw the hosts play the favourites Fiji, who had won gold in the two previous men’s Olympic rugby sevens and had never previously lost a match at the Games.

But inspired by Antoine Dupont, France came from behind with four tries — two scored by the 15-a-side captain – to make history.

Earlier, Shirine Boukli opened the nation’s medal account with bronze in the women’s -48kg judo, while Luka Mkheidze reached the final of the men’s -60kg.

Mkheidze had to settle for silver as he was beaten by Yeldos Smetov of Kazakhstan.(BBC Sports.)