Rower Rigney powers to big Paris heat victory

Tara Rigney has made a statement in the single sculls with the Australian storming to a huge victory in her heat on the opening day of rowing competition at the Paris Olympics.

The 25-year-old finished his two 2km race on Saturday morning at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium more than seven seconds clear of the field.

Bidding to emulate her hero, retired Australian great Kim Brennan, who won gold in the event at the 2016 Rio Games, Rigney led from start to finish.

The Sydneysider competed in the double sculls in Tokyo and has continued to improve in the solo seat.

She has won bronze in the event at the last two world championships and arrived in France in strong form, having pushed Dutch world champion Karolien Florijn all the way to the line in a World Cup race in Switzerland in May.