Beth Potter wins Olympic triathlon bronze in searing heat at Paris 2024

Beth Potter has come a long way from the athlete who morosely sipped cocktails from a coconut on the Copacabana eight years ago.

Her career was at an inflection point after a distant 38th place finish in the 10,000m in Rio but a chance meeting in McDonalds and switch of sports was rewarded in Paris with women’s triathlon bronze.

Potter won the test event her last year and the world title but this season has failed to make the top step of the podium at global level, claiming she was arriving in Paris flying under the radar.

Her tactics were clear, stay in contention through the swim and stay out of trouble on bike, where greasy cobbled sections were treacherous after heavy overnight rain.

Then she could strike on the run, where, on her day, she's the strongest athlete in the field.

But she didn't count on France's Cassandre Beaugrand who, roared on by a sea of French tricolours along this made for Instagram course, proved just too strong.

When she kicked for home Potter and silver medallist, Switzerland's Julie Derron, simply had no response as she streaked into the distance.

"They were both too good for me but I'm super happy to come away with bronze," said Potter, who is coached by Olympic champion brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, moving to their Leeds training group when she quit track and field.

"I just relief to be honest. This day has been in the calendar for a long time, so to come away with a medal – I’m just over the moon.

"Gold was on my mind but I got a medal, so there are no complaints. It was a wall of noise out there, there was not one part of that course that was quiet.

"I've come a long way in eight years and I really feel like I did this for me and for those who believed in what I was doing switching