2024 Paris Olympics LIVE: Team GB’s Beth Potter clinches bronze in the women’s triathlon with Diving and BMW action to come later

It has been an eventful morning, with Team GB’s Beth Potter taking home a bronze medal in the women’s triathlon.

Despite earlier concerns regarding the water quality in the River Seine, the event proceeded as scheduled.

Potter emerged from the swimming portion in the lead group and held her ground during the cycling phase, with four women contending for the podium in the 10km run.

Pre-race favorite Cassandre Beaugrand surged to victory, becoming France’s inaugural Olympic triathlon champion.

Potter, 32, clinched third place, securing Team GB’s 13th medal at these Games.

The duo made a solid start in the women’s synchronized diving, currently in second place with a score of 48.60, trailing behind China.

Among the spectators is Tom Daley, engaged in knitting while watching the pair compete, and Spendolini-Sirieix’s father, Fred Sirieix, known for his role on Channel 4’s First Dates.

Spendolini-Sirieix mentioned to Mail Sport that she aims to establish her own identity on the Olympic stage, stepping out from her father’s shadow.

Concerns were raised regarding the water quality in the River Seine after the men’s triathlon was delayed due to elevated E. coli levels.

The men’s event was rescheduled for Wednesday, even after organizers invested £1.17 billion into cleaning the river ahead of the games.

Tests conducted at around 3:20 AM EST showed compliance with World Triathlon standards, allowing the race to proceed despite overnight rain.

Both Paris 2024 and World Triathlon affirmed that the latest water analysis results allowed the triathlon competitions to occur.

Some male athletes voiced their frustration over the postponement, questioning why the event had not been relocated for safety reasons.

An athlete expressed, ‘If the health of the athletes was the priority, this event would have been moved to another location long ago.’

Both men’s and women’s races cover a total distance of 1,550 km throughout the course.

Athletes will transition between race segments to change gear and acquire their bicycles.

The Olympic triathlon distances for both male and female competitors are as follows:

• 1,500 m swim
• 40 km cycle
• 10 km run

Competitors commence swimming at the Pont Alexandre III bridge, navigating the river before returning to the transition area to complete the cycling leg towards the Champs Elysees, around the Arc de Triomphe, and back along the Seine.

They will journey back to the Pont Alexandre III along Boulevard Saint-Germain, finishing the run stage across the river.

Racers will take the same course across the river via the Pont des Invalides, culminating at the Pont Alexandre III.

The men’s triathlon is now in progress with Team GB’s Alex Yee aiming to surpass his silver medal achievement from Tokyo 2020, alongside teammate Sam Dickinson.

Dickinson, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, is making his Olympic debut today and hopes to build on Potter’s success this morning.

All competitors are now swimming in the triathlon!

Concerns have been expressed once again regarding the slippery conditions in Paris, after Taylor Knibb’s fall during the women’s time trial on Saturday.

Even her mechanic faced a slip on the tarmac while delivering a new bike.

Team GB’s Anna Henderson took home a silver in the time trial but admitted she cycled cautiously around corners to minimize slipping.

Instances of bike riders falling due to slippery conditions in Paris have been reported again this week.

Several riders slipped during the women’s time trial, with one athlete’s mechanic also losing grip while delivering a new bike.

Ahead of today’s women’s triathlon, worries about the cycling leg emerged due to rain in the French capital.

During the race, several riders fell off their bikes, with some having to withdraw from the competition.

Guam’s Manami Iijima was the first to crash, with Brazil’s Vittoria Lopes, Germany’s Lisa Tertsch, and Belgium’s Jolien Vermeylen also involved in incidents.

Lotte Miller experienced two crashes during the bike segment, ultimately deciding to withdraw from the race.

Germany’s Laura Lindemann crashed with three laps remaining, distancing herself from the leading cyclists.

Potter reflected on her race, emphasizing the need to maintain a position ahead of the crashes due to the slick conditions.

‘I just focused on staying in the top five to avoid trouble,’ Potter stated in an interview with BBC Sport.

‘I navigated through a few crashes on the bike leg but kept myself upright. I made sure to stay sensible and avoid risks.’

Fears surrounding the wet conditions were prevalent today, with one rider falling off her bike during the triathlon. However, Potter noted she was adequately prepared for the slippery ride.

‘The forecast mentioned dry weather, but it was clearly very wet. Training in Leeds has conditioned me for these situations, and I aimed to stay safe throughout.’

‘I will support my fellow GB athletes, hoping Alex [Yee] secures a victory today.’

A remarkable accomplishment for Team GB’s Beth Potter!

Post-race, the Glasgow-born athlete collapsed in elation and exhaustion upon securing third place.

Having previously competed in the 10,000m at Rio 2016, she earned an Olympic medal today in the humid French climate.

‘I was aiming for gold, but Cassandre and Julie were just exceptional today. I’m thrilled to walk away with bronze,’ Potter remarked to BBC Sport.

‘I’ve made significant progress in the past eight years, and possessing this bronze medal is so rewarding.’

‘This win is for me and for everyone who has stood by me and believed in me from the start.’

‘I really pushed hard and discovered a new level of strength.’

We’re back and looking ahead at a significant day of Olympic action at Mail Sport.

Exciting events await today, with live commentary, updates, and analysis from Paris. Here’s a glimpse of today’s live sports lineup:

• Triathlon: This morning, Team GB’s Beth Potter secured bronze. The men’s event is set to commence at 9:45 AM BST, featuring Team GB’s Sam Dickinson and Alex Yee.
• Artistic Gymnastics: The men’s final begins at 4:30 PM BST with Jake Jarman and Joe Fraser both in action.
• Rowing: Men’s and women’s quadruple sculls will race later this morning, starting with Tom Barras and others at 11:26 AM BST.
• Diving: Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson begin the women’s synchronized 10m platform at 10:00 AM BST.
• BMX Freestyle: Kieran Reilly is competing in the men’s BMX freestyle final at 1:45 PM BST.
• Canoe Slalom: Mallory Franklin will aspire to increase Team GB’s medal tally in the C1 final at 2:30 PM BST.
• Judoka: Jemima Yeats-Brown aims for success in the women’s 70kg category later today.
• Hockey: Team GB’s women’s team faces South Africa at 9:30 AM BST.
• Golf: Tommy Fleetwood starts at Le Golf National at 8:44 AM BST, while Rory McIlroy tees off at 9:11 AM BST.
• Swimming: Luke Greenbank competes in the men’s 200m backstroke at 7:37 PM BST, followed by the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay at 8:48 PM BST.

An exciting day lies ahead! Here’s your Olympic breakfast briefing hosted by Sir Steve Redgrave!