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Former local physics teacher Beth Potter wins bronze in Paris

Former Orleans Park School physics teacher Beth Potter has won her first Olympic medal with bronze in the triathlon.

Reigning world champion Potter, 32, crossed the line 15 seconds behind Cassandre Beaugrand who claimed gold for the host nation France.

This is Potter’s second appearance at the Olympics having left teaching prior to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to focus full-time on training.

It has not been an easy journey for the Scot, who in an interview with the BBC said: “I’m so happy to come away with a bronze.

“I feel like I did it for me, but also did it for everyone who has helped me in the past eight years and believed in me from day one. It’s for them back home as well.”

Potter has gone from training at Orleans Park after school to the Olympic village. 

A spokesperson for the school said: “All the staff and students at Orleans Park are incredibly proud of Beth Potter’s achievements at the Paris Olympics. 

“We will be telling her inspiring story to students for many years to come.”

Potter switched to triathlon having represented Team GB in Rio where she finished 34th in the 10,000 metres.

Potter’s transition was inspired by the Brownlee Brothers and the infamous moment when Alistair pulled his brother Jonny over the finish line.

Potter told Sky Sports last year: “I felt really inspired by Alistair picking him up, [and thought] I want to do that.”

The Scot has also trained with the Brownlee’s in preparation for the Olympics, which will have fuelled her at the Games. 

Photo by Bo Zhang on Unsplash

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