Great Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson leads the heptathlon after making a superb start in her bid to finally land the Olympic medal which has so far eluded her.
Reigning world champion Johnson-Thompson, 31, is narrowly ahead after the 100m hurdles and high jump stages of the seven-event discipline.
Johnson-Thompson racked up 2,197 points, with defending Olympic champion Nafi Thiam of Belgium second on 2,173.
Fellow Briton Jade O’Dowda sits in ninth place on 2,024, while Kate O’Connor – representing Ireland – is 19th on 1,908.
The shot put and 200m take place in the Stade de France later on Thursday, with the medals decided after the long jump, javelin and 800m on Friday.
Meanwhile, Britain’s women’s 4x100m relay team cruised into Friday’s final by impressively winning their heat.
The quartet of Bianca Williams, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt and Desiree Henry clocked 42.03 seconds as they look to earn Team GB’s first medal in the event since 1956.
In the men’s 4x100m relay, Britain faced an anxious wait until their progress was confirmed.
A photo finish was required before Jeremiah Azu, Louie Hinchliffe, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake found out they had finished third in the first heat after a season’s-best 38.04.
Jamaica did not make Friday’s final as their team – continuing to rebuild following the halcyon days led by Usain Bolt – finished fourth in the second race.