Olympics disappointment as Team GB is forced to have medal downgraded after photo is inspected
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images/FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Team GB have been hit by disappointment after having a medal downgraded, following a review of the race’s photo finish.
Great Britain initially took silver in the triathlon mixed team relay, with Beth Potter handed the second place spot as she completed the last leg for teammates Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Samuel Dickinson.
Gold went to Germany, while the United States finished in third position for bronze.
However, Team GB have since had their position demoted by race officials, who reviewed the footage of the finalists crossing the line to reveal that the US’ Taylor Knibb had just pipped Potter to the post.
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Great Britain had gone into the race as defending champions after winning gold in the event at the Tokyo Olympics.
The team also looked to be in a strong position as Potter began the last leg in the lead, but ultimately she was unable to match the pace of German athlete Laura Lindemann on their final sprint.
British triathlon performance director Mike Cavendish confirmed the ‘disappointing’ change, telling the BBC that Britain had taken bronze by an ‘absolute whisker’.
"I think what's happened is that, when they've come across the line, we'll look at a video still which isn't the most accurate picture,” he explained.
"Then it's gone to the official photo finish and it's shown the Americans have got it just by an absolute whisker ahead of us.
"When it's as close as that, you're always going to have to go to a photo finish, and it's relatively rare in triathlon that it goes to a photo finish. That's probably why it takes a little bit longer.
"They might be a little bit disappointed... but ultimately a bronze medal is an amazing achievement. To be completely frank it was just an incredible advert for the sport to have such a brilliant finish and a brilliant race."
While the outcome may not have been what they wanted, according to the BBC, Team GB will be leaving the Olympics with a medal in every triathlon event, which is of course no easy feat.
In a BBC TV interview, former British triathlete Annie Emmerson told the outlet earlier this morning: "I really don't think Beth Potter could have given any more.
"I just think the fatigue from winning the bronze medal in the individual was too much for her.
"You could see how fatigued she was when she crossed the line."