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| Getty Images |
The Brit runs down Hayden Wilde in the last few moments to upgrade his silver from Tokyo, while Beth Potter gets a bronze medal in women’s event
Alex Yee quite literally turned on the turbo-boosters at the Paris Olympics, finding strength late on to win a dramatic gold medal in the men’s individual triathlon.
The Brit looked like he’d have to settle for yet another silver, after Yee finished second behind Kristian Blummenfelt in the individual event in Tokyo three years ago.
Yee was around 12 seconds back to Hayden Wilde with around a couple of kilometres to go but started to eat into that lead and then overtook the New Zealander with just a few corners of the Parisian course left.
After crossing the line first, Yee fist bumped the air and knew that he had the gold medal in the bag, winning by six seconds.
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| Hayden Wilde and Alex Yee (Getty) |
Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising, given Yee has an excellent background in distance running and boasts a personal 10,000m best of 27:51.94 from 2018.
That year, he also became British champion over the distance at Night of the 10,000m PBs.
After such an enthralling individual triumph, Yee and his fellow British teammates will aim to retain the mixed relay title later in the Games.
The incredible action made up for the scheduling chaos in the build-up to the event.
The men’s race was postponed by a day due to pollution levels in the Seine being too high for athletes to safely swim in.
Overnight rain didn’t help the situation but, following days of uncertainty, the triathlon was given the go ahead.
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| Beth Porter (Getty) |
Beth Potter won a superb bronze medal in the women’s individual triathlon, finishing behind France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Switzerland’s Julie Derron.
The Brit, who is the reigning world champion, battled through the gruelling conditions to make the podium.
It was unsurprising that the athletes, who didn’t just overcome strong currents in the Seine but also greasy roads due to the overnight rain, collapsed over the line at the finish.
After a tough swim and chaotic cycle – the latter seeing a myriad of athletes slipping and sliding on the bikes – Potter got herself in the leading pack for the final 10km, which included Derron and Beaugrand’s compatriot Emma Lombardi.
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With a couple of kilometres to go, Beaugrand made the big move in her bid for the gold medal, immediately establishing a gap. No one managed to stay with her and it was more than enough for the French athlete to take the victory.
Beaugrand, who trains in Loughborough, has roots in the UK and was once the BUCS individual triathlon champion.
Derron was six seconds behind Beaugrand, with Potter a further nine seconds back in third.
It was an incredible moment for Potter, who represented Great Britain in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympics and finished 34th in the 10,000m.
“I’m so happy. I was going for the gold but Cassandre and Julie were just too good for me and I’m super happy to come away with the bronze,” Potter told BBC Sport.
“I’ve come a long way in eight years. I did it for me but I also did it for everyone who has helped me in eight years and believed in me from day one. It is for them back home as well.”
Reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy finished fifth.
- Tim Adams
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