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Great Britain’s Vicky Holland claimed bronze in the triathlon beating teammate Non Stanford in a sprint finish.
Vicky Holland winning the bronze medal makes her the first British woman to win a medal in the triathlon.
The Team GB athlete started off the race impressively in the first discipline. She put herself in contention for a medal by being in the leading group of 18 athletes after the 1.5 km swim.
She then remained in the leading group throughout the 5km cycle while at times setting the pace with teammate Non Stanford. After the 2nd changeover America’s Jorgensen, the triathlon world champion in 2014 and 2015, and the defending champion Spirig made a break in the first of the four laps on the run.
With the two GB athletes in the leading group unable to stay with them. Consequently it came down to Holland and Stanford for the bronze medal. With 100 metres to go Vicky Holland kicked and sprinted away from Non Stanford to win the bronze medal.
“I have had a rollercoaster 24 hours. I’ve been a bit sick and didn’t know how I would feel today,” Holland told BBC Sport.
“I knew it would come down to me and Non. It was the worst thing ever because I wanted this to be us together.
“I think the first thing I said to her was ‘I’m so sorry’.”
Holland’s bronze meant Great Britain won three of the six triathlon medals available. Alistair Brownlee winning the men’s gold and Jonathan Brownlee winning the silver.
America’s Gwen Jorgensen claimed the gold medal with a time of 1:56:16. Finishing 40 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig who took silver.
The triathlon course started off with a 1.5km swim off Copacabana beach, followed by eight laps of a 5km bike circuit. Then the final discipline sees the athletes tackle 4 laps of a 2.5km run.
