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Beth Potter Clinches Bronze

Beth Potter competes for TeamGB in the Women’s Triathlon it the Pont Alexandre III area in Paris, France on the 31st July 2024. Photo Credit:David Pearce/Team GB

France's Cassandre Beaugrand won a historic gold in a thrilling Paris 2024 women's individual triathlon on 31 July at Alexandre III Pontoon in the centre of Paris.

Switzerland's Julie Derron dug deep to win silver with Great Britain's Beth Potter taking bronze.

Beaugrand, the world number one, broke away on the final lap to become the first French athlete to win an Olympic medal in the event.

The 27-year-old was cheered on by thousands of fans and collapsed to the floor after crossing the line in 1:54:55.

It was the longest 1500m of my life, but I never doubted at the end. I didn’t realise that I was Olympic champion, I shouted but I told myself that it wasn’t possible, I told myself that someone had to wake me up!

Cassandre Beaugrand talking to Olympics.com

Derron, who had led for most of the final stages, clocked 1:55:01, while pre-race favourite Potter finished nine seconds back.

It's incredible! It was such a great course, great race, and I'm just so pleased to walk away with (an Olympic) medal. It hasn't sunk in yet to be honest!
It was crazy on the run because I couldn't hear anything because the crowd was so loud! They were cheering for everyone, of course I heard more French cheers, but that just made me go harder to make sure I was also on that podium.

Switzerland's Julie Derron

Derron won silver in the mixed relay at the world championships earlier this year and admitted she was motivated by the home crowd cheering on her rival.

Beth Potter with her Bronze Medal for TeamGB in the Women’s Triathlon it the Pont Alexandre III area in Paris, France on the 31st July 2024. Photo Credit:David Pearce/Team GB

Team GB's Potter competed in the 10,000m at Rio 2016 and made history in Paris by becoming the first Olympic athlete to compete in both events.

I'm really happy. I think it was an all-round solid performance and I'm really happy to come away with the bronze. There was a lot of pressure coming in (to Paris 2024), and I would have loved a gold medal but it wasn't to be. I feel like I gave it everything, I committed to the race and I tried to go for it.
The crowd was amazing, the support was amazing, and I happened to catch a few of my friends and family in the crowd as well which really boosted me.

Beth Potter