By Can Erozden
Cassandre Beaugrand won France's first-ever Olympic triathlon gold on Wednesday at the Paris 2024 Games.
"Glory day! Triathlon in GOLD for France! Incredible achievement by Cassandre Beaugrand! The first individual French medal in triathlon in the history of the games. Congratulations," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X.
Following the River Seine's suspense, Beaugrand, a 27-year-old female triathlete, crossed the line in 1 hour, 54 minutes and 55 seconds to beat Switzerland's Julie Derron, who took an Olympic silver.
The first training session for triathletes at the Paris Olympics was canceled on Sunday due to pollution in the River Seine, the organizers said last weekend.
Team Great Britain athlete Beth Potter bagged a bronze medal after she finished third.
Triathlon is a multisport race as athletes competing in this discipline swim, cycle and run over various distances.
"It was the longest 1500m of my life, but I never doubted [myself] at the end. I didn't realise that I was Olympic champion, I shouted but I told myself that it wasn't possible, I told myself that someone had to wake me up!," said Beaugrand, who collapsed in exhaustion after winning the title.
The Paris 2024 will continue until Aug. 11.