Olympic Triathlon Test Event: A huge success for athletes, a boost of … – Olympics

With less than a year to go until the Olympic Games, the Paris 2024 Triathlon Test Event is underway in the French capital, with competitions taking place from 17 to 20 August 2023.

The competition takes place on a course in the heart of the city, higlighting some of the most beautiful monuments in Paris: Pont Alexandre-III, Les Invalides, lAssemble Nationale and the Avenue des Champs-Elyses (with the Arc de Triomphe in sight).

We are in the heart of Paris so there are a lot of difficulties to organize such an event, so we did not want to take the risk of launching for the first time during the Olympic Games in Paris so we needed to carry out this test event, said Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024.

Here is a look back at the reaction of the athletes who took part in this triathlon test event, who shared their joy at competing surrounded by the beauty of Parisian architecture.

This triathlon test event course will remain long in the memory for those competing in the heart of Paris.

In addition to some of the most beautiful monuments of the City of Light, the organisation decided to carry out the swimming part of the triathlon in a 1,500 metre stretch of the river Seine.

For Kristian Blummenfelt, gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, said swimming in the Seine was kind of the same feeling we have in Hamburg, we swim in a kind of tunnel because you can see everyone on the riverside. [Next year in Paris] will probably be a highlight of my career.

Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024 added: "We use the dynamics of the Games to make the Seine swimmable. We have seen the quality of the Seine improve month by month for a year now, it will be even better next year. What a legacy for this territory!

Besides the innovation of swimming in the Seine, the athletes were seduced by a really crazy course, according to Emma Lombardi, wonderkid of the French Womens Triathlon team. The technical part of the bike on the emblematic Parisian cobblestones, especially on the Avenue des Champs-lyses, conquered most of the participants. On the cobblestones, it shakes well! added the 21-year-old French athlete, who finished 4th on 17 August.

Frenchman Vincent Luis, double world champion in 2019 and 2020, agreed: The course is great, it goes very fast by bike, its technical, its really a course that I appreciated, he said, despite withdrawing before the finish due to not being fully recovered from a fatigue fracture contracted this spring.

Fans came in large numbers to support the best triathletes in the world. After an exceptional performance in running, Britain's Alex Yee was able to enjoy the warm atmosphere of this test event, using the last seconds of his race to appreciate the support and the Parisian decor while celebrating his victory in the men's race.

I was really lucky and fortunate to be in that position (1st), so I wanted to appreciate the fans that came out today. I mean, there were so many people who have come so early, as the race was so early, so to have so many people at this time cheering us was really special and hopefully we can have that next year.

Unexpectedly, the reception of the supporters was particularly pleasing to the French triathlon team, who responded with triathletes finishing in the top 5 in the womens and mens racing categories.

Cassandre Beaugrand, second in the womens event, will keep a great memory of this test event. Diminished by stomach pains, she finished in second place, with courage, carried by a crowd acquired to her cause.

It was just amazing, I had chills. I didnt want to look around too much, because you have to stay focussed. Frankly, this course is beautiful. I felt like I was being pushed along by fans. It would have been a lot harder if I hadnt had so much support.

Emma Lombardi also praised the fan support: The atmosphere was incredible, its really nice to be so encouraged all along, we feel really well.

The triathlon at Paris 2024 will be one of the few events where the spectators do not need to buy tickets to see the best triathletes in the world and participate in the great celebration of the Olympic Games. For Pierre Le Corre, fourth in the men's event, its incredible to be able to offer this to all the spectators.

A feeling of happiness shared by Lo Bergre who can barely imagine what it will be next year with the crowd that was already pushing us today.

Experienced triathletes at multiple races around the world, Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt and double world champion Vincent Luis, said that the organisation of this test event was of a very high level.

For the Norwegian, it was super well organised. Seems like everything is in control in terms of next year. In general, in France they are really good to organise events and also the atmosphere around events is always good. It tends to turn up with a big, big numbers of spectators. So its going to be fantastic next year.

Performing in his own country, Vincent Luis was delighted that his nation had lived up to the high standards expected.

I am flabbergasted by the quality of the race that has been produced here. I ran all over the world and frankly today it was without fail, there was no problem.

All the feedback I got from other athletes, they told me it was Overwhelming!. Theres too much to see, to look at, its amazing. Im glad its happening this way in France.

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