Team GB star Alex Yee has opened up after his sensational exploits in the men’s triathlon on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old managed to beat New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde and France’s Léo Bergere to become the latest Briton to secure a place at the top of the podium.
There had been doubts over whether the event would go ahead amid concerns over the pollution levels of the River Seine.
Organisers had previously said there was only a 60 per cent chance of the waters being fit for humans to compete in but, after a check at 03:20 on Wednesday, results from the latest water analyses deemed conditions compliant.
Alex Yee was delighted after winning gold at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday
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Yee initially struggled, with the Briton down in 23rd during the cycling.
However, he upped the ante and turned things around to battle his way into the lead during the 10km run.
It looked as though Wilde would reign supreme when he closed the gap.
But Yee was able to turn things around and overtake his fellow competitor, with the Team GB star eventually winning by six seconds.
After the event, the 26-year-old said he had ‘so much respect’ for Wilde – showing he’s a class act in the process.
“I have so much respect for Hayden and how much he made me dig there,” he said.
“He was an amazing athlete and for me, almost two laps in I thought that silver was on the cards but I owed it to myself to give myself one last chance.
“With about 2km to go I thought I’d give it everything I had and I’m just so proud that I was able to do that for my family, for everyone that’s worked hard, for my girlfriend Liv – there’s so many more people than just me who have worked towards this.
“This was our dream and I’m the lucky one who gets to do it, so thank you to them.
“I gave it everything I had and I was going through a really bad patch.
“Many people have told me that you’re gonna go through a bad patch during a race no matter how perfect or bad it is, so I think for me I just rode that wave and said one more try and let’s see if we can do it.”
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Alex Yee sent a nice message to Hayden Wilde after winning gold at the Paris Olympics
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Another gold has followed for Team GB in the women’s quad sculls.
It means Team GB now has six to their name, which is quite the achievement.
And Lola Anderson was delighted, with the 26-year-old saying: “We spent ages working towards this and as a boat we’re so process-driven, we’re always looking to what comes next but when you’re getting towards the end of a cycle like this, and it doesn’t get bigger than this, it’s quite overwhelming to experience this, but really grateful.”
Hannah Scott added: “It’s been a long time in the making and I still can’t quite believe it.
Team GB celebrate winning gold in the women’s sculls
PA
“I don’t know if I’m emotional yet but that will come. I think we were so process-driven today and the immensity of what this is, it hasn’t caught up with me.
“The crew today were amazing. We kept it so cool to the end. We had the confidence, we’ve done so many hard miles in training and for anyone out there just go for it. If you think you can you might just do it one day, and that’s the really cool thing about the Olympics.”