TEAM: It is a fantastic day here in Rio de Janeiro with the first Australian athletes arriving at the Games.

The canoe slalom athletes landed before sunrise on Monday, to waiting Australian and international media. The boxing section followed shortly afterwards and the excitement from all athletes and support staff of getting to the Games was remarkable.

Slalom paddlers Jessica Fox, London Olympic k1 silver medallist, and Olympic rookies Lucien Delfour (k1) and Ian Borrows (c1) arrived from Europe. And have spent plenty of time in Rio and the slalom course as part of their preparation. You couldn't keep the smiles off their faces.

"It's super exciting and I can't believe we are finally here," said Fox who flew in from Frankfurt.

"It's been a long preparation having left Australia in April but it's great to finally be here. 

"I feel fresh and hopefully I can get on the water this afternoon and blow out the cobwebs."

For boxers Shelley Watts (60kg), Daniel Lewis (75kg) and Jason Whateley (91kg) it is their first time to the spectacular South American city. They have spent the past seven days at a training camp in Miami so they are in the right time zone and ready to finalise their preparations here in Rio.

WATCH the video of the boxers arrive here.

"I'm feeling really good," said Commonwealth Games gold medallist Watts. 

"We will now get settled and go see where the training venue is and then get back into training as I'm still doing three sessions a day.

"I'm in fine physical and I am ready to unleash in the ring," she said with a laugh. 

Boxing starts on Saturday August 6 (day 1 of the Games) and slalom Sunday 7 august (day 2).

There will be another 50 athletes arrive in Rio on Tuesday.

Andrew Reid
olympics.com.au