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Olympics-Triathlon-France and Britain victorious in thrilling Paris races

France and Britain gobbled up the Olympic triathlon spotlight as

Cassandre Beaugrand

provided a definitive gold for the hosts in the ladies's race while Alex Yee pipped New Zealand's Hayden Wilde for an amazing victory in the men's event on Wednesday.

Britain's Yee, silver medallist in Tokyo, showing his pacing proficiency of the 10-km run, overtook a flagging Wilde with less than 400 metres to enter blazing sunlight and 30 degree Celsius heat.

His triumph included a 10th Olympic triathlon medal to Britain's collection, after Beth Potter won bronze previously on Wednesday, sealing the nation's dominant area in the sport that made its Games debut in 2000.

I truthfully believed the race was over for me, but I wanted to provide myself that a person last possibility and not give up, said Yee, who likewise won blended relay gold in 2021, after ending up in one hour 43:33, six seconds ahead of Wilde.

The two 26-year-olds, who have actually been trading podium put on the circuit for years, collapsed after the goal and Wilde put his arm around Yee.

It's simply great to have a rivalry like this, it makes us more powerful, it makes the entire field stronger because Alex is chasing me and I'm chasing him and after that everyone else is going after the both of us, Wilde said.

France's Leo Bergere won bronze, the country's second-ever specific Olympic triathlon medal after Beaugrand's gold, versus a picturesque background of renowned Parisian landmarks and streets lined with cheering crowds waving tricolores.

It's historical, today French triathlon has attained something remarkable, stated Bergere. It's 10 to 15 years of cumulative work from the staff, the federation, and many athletes.

Initially due to be hung on Tuesday, the men's occasion was held off due to bad water quality in the

river Seine

and occurred instantly after the ladies's race, which was no less significant.

LEADING PACK

World primary Beaugrand was in a leading pack of four from the start of the run, then put the hammer down with a kilometre to go to take gold in 1:54:55, leaving Switzerland's Julie Derron and Britain's Potter behind.

Conveniently ahead, Beaugrand cruised serenely through the ribbon, with no sign of the nerves that, she told reporters later, had overwhelmed her to such an extent that she

tossed up

prior to the race.

I was so ashamed in front of the other professional athletes, everyone understood I was stressed out - it's not the important things you want to do in front of your competition, stated Beaugrand, who failed to complete in Tokyo after a bike puncture.

I informed myself 'Cass, you can't go through the same thing as Tokyo again, concentrate, you have actually been doing triathlon your whole life, it's simply another race.'

Beaugrand and her teammate Emma Lombardi had broken away from the main pack to form a leading 4 with Derron and Potter after the very first of 4 2.5 km run laps.

Having led the breakaway pack for the majority of the race, Derron might not match Beaugrand's pace and finished 6 seconds behind to win silver.

Running at the front you have no concept what's going on behind you but I feel more comfy like this, stated Beaugrand. I'm so happy it settled.

Bronze winner Potter, who trains with Britain's multi-Olympic medal-winning Brownlee brothers, said: I'm so happy. I was going for the gold but Cassandre and Julie were simply too great for me today.

Lombardi was a frustrated fourth with defending champion Flora Duffy, who has actually fought with a knee injury for 18 months, finishing just behind her in what she stated was her last Olympics, an impressive 5th look for the 36-year-old.

Britain and France will have another chance to shine in the mixed group relay triathlon on Monday, when professional athletes are set to dive into the Seine again in groups of four, with France wanting to better their bronze-medal finish from Tokyo.

We will not conceal behind false expectations, we wish to win in the house, said Bergere, throwing down the gauntlet for the Brits who won gold 3 years ago.

(source: Reuters)