A lively atmosphere welcomed the athletes out on to a spectacular purple track at the Stade de France, where later on Friday the first track gold of the Games will be won in the men’s 10,000m.
Several British athletes made successful starts to their respective campaigns, Kerr impressing with his composure as he watched the race unfold from behind before working through the pack and winning with relative ease.
“These are the moments we dream of as kids. To come in with this fitness, you don’t want to let it go very easily,” Kerr told BBC Sport.
“I just need to stay with my head screwed on for the next couple of days and stay away from any problems. I’ll hopefully get through these rounds smoothly and then it’s time to close.”
Gourley ensured he too can look forward to the semi-finals in two days’ time, behind Ingebrigtsen who was determined not to expend more energy than required to make the top six automatic qualifying spots in each heat.
But Mills, who is also entered in the men’s 5,000m, must race again on Saturday in the repechage round – a new introduction at Paris 2024 which allows athletes in all individual events from 200m to 1500m a second chance to progress.
