Alex Yee sprinted to a dramatic Olympic gold on the sweltering banks of the River Seine, brilliantly overcoming a 15-second gap in the final two kilometres to win the delayed men’s triathlon with a perfectly judged finish.
The planned 8am start on Tuesday was rescheduled to Wednesday at 10.45am and Yee, the pre-race favourite, appeared to have faltered in the heat after hitting the front at the start of the final 10km running leg.
He was overhauled by New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde and, with his rival gradually establishing a lead that peaked at 16 seconds, it appeared that the priority would be to hold off the oncoming French challenge and cling on for another medal after his silver in Tokyo.
The conditions, however, had always made a final twist possible and, with the finish on Pont Alexandra III in sight, Wilde faltered while Yee moved up through the gears and cruised past in almost disbelief for victory. He was so fatigued as he crossed the line that he could not even raise his arms in triumph.