Olympic Games 2024: Beth Potter – from hating athletics to bronze

The wee girl from Glasgow has become a woman of serious substance.

Potter hurled herself into the Seine for a 1500m swim amid the murk and bacteria, pedalled furiously around Paris for 40km, then ran 10km on some of the most famous Rues and Boulevards in the world.

Only Paris resident Cassandre Beaugrand and Switzerland’s Julie Derron completed the course before the 32-year-old.

Potter collapsed to the floor after crossing the line, burst after a gruelling two hours. Dad Alex confessed to being “wrung oot” himself.

By the time his wee lassie clambered up the steps of the stand to greet them, he’d found his shape. Mum was first for an embrace. Then dad. The trio were the picture of Caledonian reserve, but their immense pride was clear.

Potter blew out her cheeks, her eyes glassy.

Alex had earlier confided he suspected she might be a touch disappointed. She was. But only a little.

Sure, the former Olympic 10,000m athlete was in the leading pack when they began the run, but sport isn’t as simple as that.

“I tried to go for the gold, but I just didn’t have it; the other two were too good,” Potter told BBC Scotland. “I passed out on the line because I was just done.

“It was quite tense in the last 2.5km. There were four of us, only three medals. I was like ‘don’t mess this up now’.

“You can’t underestimate the extra pressure. All eyes are on you, that is hard, it’s a burden, so I am just really happy that I delivered.”

Alex and Ann, listening to their girl, beamed. They’ve had a week of it themselves, their Airbnb having been cancelled the day before they travelled for France with younger daughter Sarah.

But all the carry on proved worth it.

“Elated, relieved, very proud and just… happy,” Alex said.

When Potter chucked athletics after Rio and threw her lot in with triathlon, her dad “never thought” an Olympic medal was a possibility but did harbour “dreams”.

“She’s incredible, single-minded, laser focussed. The closer we got, the more it seemed a possibility,” Ann said.

Potter nods while she speaks. “It’s come full circle now,” she added.