Olympic Games 2024: Beth Potter - from hating athletics to bronze

Eight years ago, I was sitting on the Copacabana feeling lost in my thoughts about sports. I was unsure about my future goals and aspirations.

A slight grin appears on Beth Potter's lips as she comprehends her surroundings and the actions she has just taken.

Alex's father is standing beside her. Ann, her mom, is just a bit further ahead. They are in Paris, standing on a temporary platform on Pont Alexandre III, watching as the athletes cross the finish line of the Olympic Games triathlon.

The Seine River is flowing below them. The Grand Palais can be seen on their right side. And directly in front of them, the Eiffel Tower stands tall above the surrounding buildings.

And one of them is on the verge of receiving an Olympic bronze medal, after participating in her first Games in Rio in a different sport eight years ago.

The young girl from Glasgow has grown into a strong and capable woman.

Potter jumped into the Seine River and swam 1500m through the dirty water filled with bacteria. She then rode her bike around Paris for 40km, and finished off by running 10km through famous streets and boulevards.

The only two competitors who finished the race before the 32-year-old were Cassandre Beaugrand from Paris and Julie Derron from Switzerland.

Potter dropped to the ground once he finished the race, exhausted after a tough two hours. Alex, who is a father, admitted that he was also feeling completely drained.

When his daughter climbed up the steps to greet him, he had regained his composure. His mother embraced him first, followed by his father. The three of them seemed reserved, typical of their Scottish upbringing, but their overwhelming pride was evident.

Potter exhaled deeply, her eyes glossy.

Alex had previously shared that he thought she might feel a bit let down. This turned out to be true, but it didn't bother her too much.

Of course, the ex-Olympic 10,000m runner was among the top group at the start of the race, but athletics is more complex than just that.

"I attempted to win the gold, but the other two competitors were better than me," Potter said in an interview with BBC Scotland. "I collapsed at the finish line because I was exhausted."

The atmosphere was very stressful during the final 2.5 kilometers of the race. With only three medals available for the four of us, I kept telling myself not to make any mistakes at this crucial point.

The additional pressure is something that cannot be overlooked. Having everyone's attention focused on you can be tough and can feel like a heavy weight. That's why I am extremely pleased that I was able to succeed and meet expectations.

Alex and Ann were smiling as they listened to their daughter. They had just experienced a tough week when their Airbnb was cancelled right before they left for France with their younger daughter Sarah.

However, all the effort paid off in the end.

"Feeling ecstatic, soothed, incredibly proud and just... overjoyed," Alex verbalized.

When Potter decided to leave athletics and focus on triathlon after the Rio Olympics, her father didn't believe winning an Olympic medal was likely, but he still held onto his hopes and dreams.

"She's amazing, determined, completely focused. As we grew closer, the idea seemed more and more likely," Ann remarked.

Potter affirms as she talks. "It's come back around completely," she said.