First British athlete wins gold medal at Paris 2024 Olympics – competing for another nation
TEAM GB may still be waiting for a first gold medal at the Paris Games… but British-born rugby star Aaron Grandidier has already been crowned Olympic champion with France.
The 24-year-old finished off a brilliant run from French talisman Antoine Dupont to score his side’s second try in their sensational 28-7 victory over Fiji in the rugby sevens on Saturday.
It means Grandidier is the only British-born athlete to have tasted Olympic gold so far in Paris.
Originally from Bromley, he began playing rugby in Orpington at the age of just 11.
He went on to represent Kent U18s and St Mary’s University, but was still being snubbed by professional clubs in England.
After a stint with England’s 7s development team, Grandidier, whose mum is from France, then opted to go across the Channel to play for Brive’s academy side.
This swiftly led to interest from the French national team, while he also signed a deal with pro club Pau earlier this year.
Now a gold medallist, he has spoken about the decision to choose France over England and GB.
He said: “I found out France had a system that allowed you a bit more time to break out on to the scene, so I was like, ‘you know what, screw it, I’ve got nothing to lose, this is what I want to do’.
“So I decided to chase it and pursue that dream.”
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Grandidier’s gold with France came after Team GB failed to qualify for the finals.
But while GB are still waiting for a first gold medal, they have secured three silvers and two bronze.
Those silvers came from cyclist Anna Henderson in the women’s time trial, swimmer Adam Peaty in the 100 metre breaststroke, and Tom Daley and Noah Williams in the 10 metre synchro.
GB’s two bronze medal winners are Kimberley Woods in the women’s slalom and Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen in the women’s synchronised 3 metre springboard.
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
The Paris 2024 Olympics is now well underway with medals being ticked off and huge events still to come.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a what is expected to be a huge third day.
TODAY’S BRIT MEDAL HOPES
Alex Yee is desperate to go one better than his Tokyo triathlon silver medal now the Seine has the green light (7am).
The Team GB 4x200m men’s freestyle swimming squad are packed with talent and could be in for gold (8.59pm).
And the women’s gymnastics team could also get a podium finish but it’s a strong field including Simone Biles’ USA (5.15pm).
BRITS TO WATCH
Kieran Reilly and Charlotte Worthington get underway in the freestyle BMX qualifiers (12.25pm).
Joe Clarke and Mallory Franklin are both in canoe slalom action, while the men’s hockey side face top-dogs the Netherlands.
GLOBAL STARS TODAY
Clarisse Agbegnenou carried the flag for France at the opening ceremony.
She can back that up with a third Olympic judo gold in the -63kg final (4.49pm).
FANCY SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
It is the final day of the rugby sevens for this Olympics, ending with the final at the 70,000-seater Stade de France at 6.45pm.
And the street-style 3×3 basketball gets underway at the spectacular La Concorde venue at the bottom of the Champs-Elysees in the heart of the city.
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.