In a historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cassandre Beaugrand of France clinched the gold medal in the women’s individual triathlon on July 31, held at the Alexandre III Pontoon in central Paris.
Beaugrand, ranked world number one, executed a breathtaking final lap to secure her victory in a time of 1:54:55. Her triumph makes her the first French athlete to win an Olympic medal in this event, marking a significant milestone for the country.
The 27-year-old triathlete was visibly overwhelmed by the moment, collapsing on the ground in sheer exhaustion and joy after crossing the finish line. “It was the longest 1500m of my life, but I never doubted at the end,” Beaugrand exclaimed. “I didn’t realize that I was an Olympic champion. I shouted but couldn’t believe it; I thought someone had to wake me up!”
Julie Derron of Switzerland earned the silver medal with a time of 1:55:01. Derron, who had led for most of the final stages, expressed her excitement: “It’s incredible! It was such a great course, a great race, and I’m just so pleased to walk away with an Olympic medal.” Derron had previously won silver in the mixed relay at the world championships earlier this year. She mentioned the intense atmosphere created by the home crowd: “It was crazy on the run because I couldn’t hear anything due to the crowd being so loud! They were cheering for everyone, and the French cheers motivated me to push harder.”
Beth Potter from Great Britain secured the bronze medal, finishing nine seconds behind Derron. Potter, who competed in the 10,000m at the Rio 2016 Olympics, made history in Paris by becoming the first Olympic athlete to compete in both the triathlon and track events. Reflecting on her performance, Potter said, “I’m really happy with my performance. There was a lot of pressure coming into Paris 2024, and while I would have loved a gold medal, I feel like I gave it everything and committed fully to the race. The crowd was amazing, and the support was fantastic. Seeing my friends and family in the crowd gave me a real boost.”
Beaugrand’s win not only highlights her exceptional athleticism but also adds a remarkable chapter to the French triathlon legacy, inspiring future generations of athletes.
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