It’ll be mighty difficult for Australia’s athletes in action on day 13 to match the greatest day in our Olympic history, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be missing the medals.

And things got off to a brilliant start as Olympic debutant Moesha Johnson claimed silver in the women’s 10km marathon swim for Australia’s 42nd medal of the Paris Games.

The 26-year-old, who also swam in the 1500m in the pool, proved her open-water bona fides with an incredible swim in the Seine.

The podium finishers of Johnson, the Netherlands’ Sharon van Rouwendaal and Italy’s Ginevra Taddeucci pulled away just over halfway through the race.

But after Johnson set the pace for most of the race, 2016 gold medallist and 2020 silver medallist van Rouwendall pulled away in the final stages (2:03:34.2), with Johnson claiming a brilliant silver (2:03:39.7).

Australia’s Chelsea Gubecka was up amongst the top three before the medallists swam away from the rest, and went on to finish in a photo for 13th.

Australia now has two medals in the category after a bronze from Kareena Lee at Tokyo 2020.

Later in the athletics, the likes of Peter Bol (800m) and Michelle Jenneke (100m hurdles) are trying to revive their campaigns in the Repechage round.

The relay teams are in action in the opening round of the 4x100m sprint with the Aussie women’s team back for the first time since Sydney 2000, after running fifth-fastest in the world at the World Athletics Relay Championships in May. They broke the Australian record back in March and then again at the champs.

However Ebony Lane was surprisingly not selected for the four-woman team, after running third at nationals, second at the Oceania champs and being part of the qualifying foursome.

“Not many answers as to why. I am fit, healthy and ready to go,” she said in a social media post.

Australia’s fastest woman Torrie Lewis looks set to anchor joined by Ella Connolly, Bree Masters plus Lane’s replacement Kristie Edwards.

However it’s worth noting that foursome, including Edwards, ran another record time of 42.48 in London late last month to finish fourth behind Great Britain, France and Great Britain’s second team.

“It gives me heaps of confidence. I was nervous out there because I hadn’t run with the actual team for a little while but it was a great hit out and so good to know we can run fast in that environment and that order,” Edwards said after the race.

The Aussies square off with the USA in the opening heat, but are a genuine chance of direct qualification into the final, with Germany and Italy among the big threats. The top three in each heat plus the next two fastest overall make the final.

The men’s team consists of Lachlan Kennedy, Jacob Despart, Calab Law and Joshua Azzopardi.

The Aussie teams will hope to qualify for the finals of the Kayak Four 500m event, with both the women (7:40pm AEST) and men (7:50pm AEST) in action.

At least two medals are guaranteed on Friday morning when boxers Charlie Senior (57kg) and Caitlin Parker (75kg) have their semi-finals. Losses will earn them bronze medals while wins would guarantee them silver or gold.

The Stingers are also looking to lock in Australia’s first water polo medal since London 2012. They face the USA in the women’s semifinals at 3:35am AEST with both the bronze and gold finals held on Saturday night AEST.

Tokyo silver medallists Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy can also clinch a medal, as they have their women’s beach volleyball semi-final against Team Brazil at 5am AEST.

The second round of the women’s golf sees Minjee Lee resuming in the top 10 after a charge in the back half of her opening round, though at -1 she begins six back of runaway leader Celine Boutier of France.

Plus there’s plenty more Aussies in action tonight including in the taekwondo, diving, sport climbing and wrestling.

AUSSIES IN ACTION – Day 13 highlights (All times AEST)