Search
shop

Cassandre Beaugrand and the British influence on French star’s brilliant Olympic Games triathlon gold at Paris 2024

Training at Loughborough and the encouragement of her British boyfriend all helped French star to famous triumph on home turf.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Cassandre Beaugrand may have delighted the massive home crowds when she became France’s first ever Olympic triathlon winner in her home city of Paris on Wednesday.

But she was the first to admit there was also a strong British influence in the win.

Beaugrand has been dominant this season, winning WTCS Hamburg and WTCS Cagliari recently – beating her main rival Beth Potter on both occasions.

And it was a similar story in tough conditions in Paris as she proved strongest on the run, with Potter in third and Switzerland’s Julie Derron splitting the pair to take silver.

Moving out of ‘comfort zone’

Strong currents in the Seine made the swim tricky and then heavy overnight rain turned the bike course into a war of attrition with a double-figure number of women suffering falls.

Those sort of conditions on the bike have proved Beaugrand’s nemesis in the past. But not this time. She looked as assured as anyone and was always near the front of the race as she produced a flawless display.

She’s spent the last 18 months training at Loughborough – and riding in the mixed British weather – and she was the first to admit she’s a different athlete now to the one who was a DNF at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

Speaking to the BBC she said: “I just can’t believe it. I think I need someone to pinch me right now.

“And I know I’m on the BBC and even though it was tough because I am French, I’d like to say how proud I am that all the group in Loughborough accept me and I want to thank them for pushing me all the way.

“I know I’m very lucky with all the people I have around me. I think it definitely helped me to move two years ago to Loughborough because I’m used to riding in the rain now.

“I remember my very bad memory from Tokyo when I didn’t even finish the race. I was so nervous about the rain.

“But I think I’ve gone out of my comfort zone and it’s worked. I have a different mindset and believe in myself more. A lot of English people have helped me a lot, so thanks to them.”

Embracing the pressure

Beaugrand’s also paid tribute to her boyfriend, marathon swimmer Hector Pardoe who will be in action himself at the Olympics next week for Team GB.

She added: “He always knew I could do it and I was like, can you shush as he was making so much pressure on me!

“But at the end of the day, I was like, why not? Maybe I can do it today. And that worked.”

Cassandre Beaugrand Paris 2024 Olympic Games podium
Paris 2024 Olympic Games winner Cassandre Beaugrand [Photo credit: Wagner Araujo | World Triathlon]
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
PremiumExpert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Gordon Ramsay 703 Luxembourg 2025
‘I’M BACK and Cooking!’ – Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay celebrates triathlon return
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
Start list for IRONMAN Lake Placid REVEALED – and it’s stacked with world class names
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz 2025: Olympic star wins by MORE than half an hour for first full-distance win
Matt Hauser Linn Jeffcoat Willian Australia win Mixed Relay WTCS Hamburg 2025
WTCS Hamburg 2025 Mixed Relay World Championship: Hauser anchors Australia to glory
Kat Matthews wins IRONMAN 703 Swansea 2025 finish line
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea 2025 women’s results: Kat Matthews a class apart
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...