Cassandre Beaugrand triumphed in the Olympic triathlon on Wednesday, racing through the streets of Paris and bringing France its sixth gold medal.
Emma Lombardi finished just shy of the podium in fourth place, while Switzerland’s Julie Derron and Great Britain’s Beth Potter claimed silver and bronze, respectively. This victory raises France’s medal tally to 19, with six golds.
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Triumph in the Seine
Despite earlier concerns about water quality, the Seine was declared safe for swimming, allowing the triathlon to proceed as scheduled. Beaugrand and her fellow French triathletes delivered stellar performances, particularly during the initial swimming leg. Beaugrand’s victory was clocked at 1 hour, 54 minutes, and 55 seconds, while Lombardi finished fourth, 21 seconds behind the bronze medalist. Léonie Périault, the third French competitor, placed 27th, over five minutes off the lead.
Leading from the start
Beaugrand positioned herself in the leading group from the very start of the swim. Sixteenth after the 1,500 meters swim, she and Lombardi were part of a ten-strong group during the 40 kilometers of cycling. The group shrank to nine following a crash involving Germany’s Laura Lindemann. As the race transitioned to the final 10 kilometers of running, a quartet including Beaugrand broke away. Her decisive acceleration in the last lap left her competitors trailing, and she crossed the finish line six seconds ahead of Derron and fifteen seconds ahead of Potter. Reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy finished fifth, more than a minute behind.
#Paris2024 | 🔥🔥 OUIIII CASSANDRE !! CASSANDRE BEAUGRAND EST CHAMPIONNE OLYMPIQUE DE TRIATHLON !!
🇫🇷 Quelle course de la Française qui remporte l'or à domicile ! Très belle performance d'Emma Lombardi qui termine 4e.
📺 À suivre en direct sur : https://t.co/kOJfhQ7QZO pic.twitter.com/KKMMUWLLiw
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) July 31, 2024
Consistency and strategy pay Off
Benjamin Maze, the French triathlon team’s national technical director, expressed immense pride in Beaugrand’s achievement. “It’s a tremendous joy and a huge emotion,” Maze commented. “This is France’s first individual medal in this sport, and it’s a gold. Cassandre was outstanding throughout the race. We’ve focused on consistency since the Tokyo Games, and today it paid off. The wet conditions made the cycling segment particularly challenging, but she managed her race and the pressure brilliantly. The support from the local crowd was incredible. She has made a spectacular entry into the Olympic history books.”
The race dynamics
Beaugrand’s journey to gold was marked by strategic racing and sheer determination. She maintained her position in the leading pack throughout the cycling segment, capitalizing on the reduced group size after Lindemann’s fall. The final running segment saw her strategically biding her time before launching a powerful sprint in the last lap, which her competitors could not match. Her victory not only brought joy to the French team but also showcased her growth and preparedness since the last Olympics.
France’s growing medal count
With Beaugrand’s win, France’s medal tally at the Paris 2024 Olympics now stands at 19, including six golds. This triumph adds to the country’s impressive performance and highlights the strength and depth of its athletes across various sports. Emma Lombardi’s fourth-place finish also underscores the potential and promise of French triathletes on the global stage.
This article highlights Cassandre Beaugrand’s stunning victory in the Olympic triathlon, marking a significant milestone for France. Her strategic and consistent performance, coupled with the support of the home crowd, led to a well-deserved gold medal. Emma Lombardi’s near-podium finish and Léonie Périault’s participation further emphasize the strength of the French triathlon team. Beaugrand’s achievement not only adds to France’s medal tally but also cements her place in Olympic history.
