Beth Potter’s brave sport switch rewarded with Olympic triathlon medal

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Beth Potter has made significant progress since she sadly drank cocktails from a coconut on the Copacabana beach eight years ago as an athlete.

She reached a turning point in her career after a disappointing 38th-place finish in the 10,000m at the Rio Olympics. A casual encounter at McDonald's led to a change in sports, and her hard work paid off at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won the bronze in women's triathlon.

Potter triumphed in the test event here last year and secured the world title. However, this season she has yet to clinch the top spot on the podium at the international level. She mentioned that she was coming into Paris unnoticed and without much attention.

She had a clear plan: keep up during the swim and avoid any issues on the bike, especially on the slippery cobbled areas that were dangerous due to the rain from the previous night.

Next, she could excel while running, showing that she is the most powerful athlete on her best days.

However, she underestimated France's Cassandre Beaugrand, who was fueled by a crowd of cheering French supporters on the picturesque course that was perfect for social media photos. Beaugrand showed incredible strength and ultimately won the race.

As she sprinted towards the finish line, Potter left behind the silver medal winner, Julie Derron of Switzerland, with ease as she sped ahead.

"I knew they were both better than me, but I am really excited to win the bronze," shared Potter. She is now being coached by Olympic champions Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, and joined their training group in Leeds after she left track and field.

"I feel a sense of relief, to tell you the truth. This day has been marked on the calendar for quite some time, so to win a medal - I am absolutely thrilled."

I was thinking about winning gold, but ended up with a medal instead, so I'm not upset. The crowd was incredibly loud throughout the event, with not a single quiet moment on the course.

I have made great progress over the past eight years, and I feel that I have done it for myself and for those who supported my decision to change sports.

The Brownlees have played a significant role in my triathlon journey. They inspired me to take up the sport, and I now train regularly with Alistair, who is a key figure in my story.

When I first arrived in Leeds, I shared a place with Jonny. They are always the first to send me a message before and after races, and it means a lot to me to have their support.

Recently, people have been discussing the water quality in the Seine River, even though the French government has made big efforts to improve it, spending around £1bn.

The men's competition was postponed by a whole day and Potter, along with Georgia Taylor-Brown and Kate Waugh, went to sleep uncertain if they would be competing the next morning.

The event planners were successful in their desire to have the race televised for two hours, showcasing Paris's iconic landmarks. It was a prestigious platform for a prominent French female athlete, who received cheers from the crowd as she crossed the finish line on Pont Alexander III, the sound echoing throughout the city.

However, the query still stands, what is the price?

The organization of the Games has compelled politicians to finally take action on the shameful water quality of the Seine, where swimming has been prohibited since 1923 because of high pollution levels. However, many of these athletes are set to compete again in the team event next week - as long as they can remain in good health.

Taylor-Brown consumed a mixture of prebiotics and probiotics and took Peptobismol to soothe her stomach; she quickly rinsed her mouth with mouthwash.

France and Great Britain appear to be the top contenders in the team event, with Taylor-Brown and Yee expected to be the only ones coming back from the group that won gold in Tokyo.

Potter expressed optimism about being selected by the coaches and getting the chance to compete again. He is part of the UK Sport's National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, which supports over 1,000 elite athletes. This program allows athletes to train full-time, work with top coaches, and receive cutting-edge medical support. This support has been crucial in helping athletes like Potter prepare for the Paris 2024 Games.

I plan to take a few days to celebrate this achievement, but then it's time to refocus and prepare for the relay. We are confident in our team's strength, as having two members in the top six of the women's race shows. While winning a medal is great, winning two would be even better.

National Lottery players help raise over £30 million every week for Good Causes, which includes important funding for both professional and community sports. This support allows our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to pursue their dreams and represent our country with pride. It also creates more chances for people to get involved in sports. Learn more at: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk