BETH POTTER said she had come for the gold, but was still elated to finish with a bronze medal around her neck.
Her achievement capped a remarkable eight years that began with her watching the Olympic triathlon on Copacabana Beach while drinking out of a coconut.
In Rio, the then physics teacher had used her summer holidays to run for Team GB in the 10,000m on the track. Stricken by sickness, she struggled to a lowly 34th and found herself disillusioned with her first sporting passion.
Inside McDonald’s at the Olympic village, she got talking to the GB triathlon coaches about a possible switch. She made an official decision when, a month later, she watched Alistair Brownlee carry his dehydrated brother Jonny over the line at the World Series final in Mexico.
“When Jonny collapsed and Alistair carried him across the line, I thought, ‘I want to do that sport’,” she said.
A year later, she quit teaching, and the former junior swimmer fully immersed herself into her new sport. She missed out on Tokyo selection, which bugged her at the time, but she now admits it would have been too soon.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 31, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 31, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
In the eye of the storm A rich account of Britain's political chaos
Tim Shipman’s fourth and final tome covers Johnson to Sunak, via Truss
Is this government full of amateurs?
Labour's hard landing has revealed a cabinet struggling with the basics
It's going to be weird when the national anthem plays, but I'm so proud to lead the United States
Emma Hayes closed the book on 12 trophy-laden years at Chelsea with her fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title in May.
Can Guardiola fix 'fragile' City after latest implosion?
Rebuilding his ageing side will bea greater challenge than building it in the first place for one of the greats
London wins battle of the global city brands again...
...but the capital still has plenty of work to do ifit wants to keep that crown
At home with...Earl of East
The duo behind the fragrance brand have made a Leyton new-build their sanctuary
How evolution evolved: the risks and rewards of gene-editing technology
INDIA BLOCKspeaks to paediatrician and TV writer Dr Neal Baer about the controversial advancement
This beloved take on Dickens is a joyful gift that keeps on giving
AIl through a bright, bitter winter day I was smiling because I was coming to see Jack Thorne's adapAtation of Charles Dickens's story again.
Market merrymaking
Bundle up in your warmest coat, hat and mittens to visit the best Christmas markets in the UK.
Festive favourites
Perfect your Christmas spread with a vibrant spin on a seasonal staple.