Alex Yee wins Olympic triathlon gold for Team GB in Paris after Beth Potter’s bronze

It was one of the most remarkable moments in recent triathlon history which helped inspire Potter to make the switch to the multi-sport event, following her first taste of Olympic action in 2016.

When she watched as Alistair Brownlee helped carry struggling younger brother Jonny over the finish line in a dramatic conclusion to the 2016 world series, she knew where her future lay.

Moving to Leeds to train with the Brownlees, former physics teacher Potter has maintained an upward trajectory and won her first major medal with Commonwealth bronze in 2022 before securing a first world title in 2023.

With that success asserting her as one of the Olympic gold medal favourites in Paris, Potter lined up with the additional confidence gained by winning the Olympic test event here in Paris last August.

In the end, with her chances of victory gone, the Briton gauged her final effort to perfection to outlast French athlete Emma Lombardi and secure her first Olympic medal.

“I’m so happy. I was going for the gold but Cassandre and Julie were just too good for me today 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.”

Defending champion Flora Duffy, of Bermuda, dominated the opening 1500m swim which saw many athletes struggle against the river’s current.

But she faded after a chaotic 40km bike leg, which saw several falls on roads greased by morning rain, and ended fifth, behind an intense race for gold.

Beaugrand eventually broke the resistance of her gold medal rivals to delight the huge home crowds lining the streets, and it was Derron and Potter who were able to find the strength at the conclusion of a gruelling race to make the podium.

Tokyo runner-up Taylor-Brown was sixth, one minute 25secs off the medals, while Olympic debutant Kate Waugh was 15th.