“When I crossed the line with the tape in my hands, I was like ‘wow, I’ve done it!’” – Cassandre Beaugrand reflects on Paris gold medal (VIDEO)

The 27-year-old Loughborough triathlete produced one of the standout performances this summer to top the podium at a home Games for the France international.

"When I crossed the line with the tape in my hands, I was like 'wow, I've done it'. I couldn't believe it, someone needs to pinch me…I saw a massive sign of 'Paris 2024' and thought, "OK, that's real!"

It's been some journey for Beaugrand. After suffering heartbreak in Tokyo three years ago after withdrawing from the triathlon final, she decided it was time to make a change.

At the age of 25, Cassandre packed her bags and moved across the channel to Loughborough - a decision that has since paid her back with the biggest prize in sport.

"I have everything here to perform," she told Loughborough Sport.

"It's a very good group and the environment where we train is crazy good. Sometimes I can complain about the weather, but it's made me tough.

"Before I would have been so stressed about the rain on the racecourse but now, I know what to do. I'm so happy I've been out of my comfort zone here."

Beaugrand crosses the line to win gold in Paris. Image provided by PA/Alamy.

Beaugrand's coach at Loughborough University, Gavin Smith, is understandably incredibly proud of her performance at the Games.

"Everything that went into it, all the planning, it was a showstopper of a race," he said.

"It was mixed emotions afterwards; relief of what we had done but equally excitement - the realisation of what we at Loughborough Sport had achieved.

"Having medallists here inspires the next generation coming through. On a day-to-day basis, they will see those medallists and it's quite often the little extras they've done that gets them where they are. That brings a feeling of excellence and confidence.

"Success breeds success and it's so inspirational. It comes through hard work, and it can happen here at Loughborough."

For all the latest Loughborough news around major global sporting events, visit the University's dedicated website here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/athletes-global-stage/

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Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/166

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