Team GB experienced a remarkable day at the Paris Olympics, highlighted by two gold medals within just 15 minutes, alongside a silver medal in BMX and two bronze medals in triathlon and diving.
Triathlete Alex Yee and the women’s quad sculls rowing team secured gold, bringing the team’s medal tally to six. Yee, initially trailing New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde, found an extra gear in the final moments, finishing with a time of 1:43:33—six seconds ahead of his competitor. This victory marks a significant improvement for the 26-year-old after earning silver in Tokyo.
The women’s quad sculls crew, consisting of Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson, and Georgie Brayshaw, also had a dramatic race. After trailing the Netherlands throughout the final, they made a powerful push in the last moments to capture gold by a mere 0.15 seconds. Scott expressed her disbelief, saying, “It’s been a long time in the making and I still can’t quite believe it.”
In the evening, French swimmer Leon Marchand took center stage, achieving an unprecedented double by winning gold in both the 200m breaststroke and butterfly events. Marchand has now earned three gold medals at the Games, having previously won the individual medley.
France celebrated another gold as Cassandre Beaugrand triumphed in the women’s triathlon, while Team GB’s Beth Potter finished in third place.
British athlete Kieran Reilly clinched a silver medal in the men’s BMX freestyle final, while divers Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson secured bronze medals for Great Britain.
Currently, Team GB holds a total of 17 medals, their highest tally at this stage of an Olympic Games.
Yee Finishes Strongly to Win Gold
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the men’s triathlon was moved to Wednesday due to poor water quality in the River Seine. After both races received the okay to proceed, Yee positioned himself well throughout the race.
During the swim, he stayed with the leading group and took the lead early in the 10 km run after his teammate Sam Dickinson made a pre-planned sacrifice to assist him. Although Wilde briefly took the lead, Yee surged ahead in the final stages to claim victory, becoming Britain’s second Olympic triathlon champion, following Alistair Brownlee.
Women’s Triathlon Highlights
Beaugrand’s gold came against a stunning backdrop of Paris landmarks, as she broke away from her competitors in the last kilometer to finish in 1:54:55. Potter, who transitioned from track to triathlon, had a commendable performance, coming in as defending world champion.
Women’s Quad Sculls Victory
At the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, the GB women’s quad sculls team aimed for their first Olympic title. After trailing initially, they overtook the competition in an exhilarating finish that saw them clinch victory.
“We kept it so cool to the end,” Scott said, reflecting on their journey to gold.
Marchand Steals the Show
Later that evening, Marchand showcased his prowess in the pool, dethroning reigning champions Kristof Milak and Zac Stubblety-Cook in record-breaking times.
Katie Ledecky continued to impress, becoming the first female swimmer to earn gold at four separate Olympics in the 1500m freestyle, completing the race more than 10 seconds ahead of her competitors.
BMX Freestyle Drama
In the men’s BMX freestyle final, Reilly secured a silver medal with a thrilling performance, moving ahead of French favorite Anthony Jeanjean in a nail-biting finish.
Diving Success
Finally, Spendolini-Sirieix and Toulson’s bronze medals added to a growing legacy of British diving, marking a remarkable achievement for female divers in the Olympic Games.
As celebrations unfolded, Fred Sirieix, Spendolini-Sirieix’s father, shared his pride on social media, celebrating his daughter’s success with a glass of champagne. “I am bursting with pride, bursting with happiness and joy. It feels like I’m going to explode,” he remarked.
Overall, day five proved to be a memorable one for Team GB, showcasing their strength and resilience across multiple sports as the Olympic Games continue.
Credit: BBC Sport
