Great Britain celebrated as Joe Clarke claimed an Olympic silver medal just minutes after team-mate Kimberley Woods won bronze in the wet and wild kayak cross event.
Earlier on Monday, GB collected a third triathlon medal but were downgraded from silver to bronze in a dramatic photo finish to an exhilarating mixed relay race. Simone Biles’ “redemption tour” concluded with another gymnastics medal, although the American superstar reminded fans she is not invincible during the balance beam and floor finals.
GB pair Molly Caudery and Holly Bradshaw were in tears after suffering surprise exits in pole vault qualifying, but there have been plenty of positives for the team so far in the athletics.
Woods’ delight & redemption for Clarke as GB duo medal
While it may not be an event for the purists, the chaotic kayak cross event proved hugely popular in front of packed grandstands on its Olympic debut.
And it also delivered more success for GB as reigning world champion Woods, 28, became the first British woman to win two Olympic medals in canoeing after also taking bronze in the women’s K1 category. It was a “bittersweet” silver medal for Clarke, who won gold in the K1 in Rio in 2016, before being controversially overlooked for selection for the Tokyo Games three years ago.
The 31-year-old went into the men’s event as a heavy favourite with three world titles to his name but was caught up in traffic early on.
“It was bittersweet in some ways,” said Clarke. “I came for gold but got silver which I am very proud of.
“It was a bit of redemption after missing Tokyo and I think I have put that one to bed.”
GB win triathlon bronze in thrilling finale
After Alex Yee won the men’s triathlon race and Beth Potter claimed bronze in the women’s, GB had high hopes for the mixed relay.
They led narrowly for much of the first three legs – featuring Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Sam Dickinson – with Potter having a five-second advantage as she began the anchor leg.
She was caught on the bike by Germany’s Laura Lindemann and the USA’s Taylor Knibb, before battling to stay with them during the run, and was fractionally third as the trio turned into the home straight and sprinted for the line.
Lindemann held on for gold and although Potter and Knibb had the same time, the USA were given silver after officials reviewed the f
inish-line photo.
Biles misses fourth gold
US superstar Biles had already won three gold medals at these Games – in the team, all-around and vault events – and was hoping to add two more on day 10.
However, the 27-year-old fell off the beam to miss out on a medal for the first time in Paris.
The American lost her balance at the end of an aerial series and placed fifth as Italy’s Alice d’Amato won gold, with China’s Zhou Yaqin – who had been the top qualifier – taking silver.
Biles looked unhappy with the crowd after her routine, speaking animatedly to her coach and team-mate Sunisa Lee, but was all smiles as she re-emerged shortly after for the floor final.
She had been the top qualifier, but Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade took an early lead and Biles’ bid to usurp her fell just short as she paid the price for twice landing with both feet outside the floor area.
She still secured her 11th Olympic medal with a silver, while team-mate Jordan Chiles clinched bronze with the final routine.
Heartbreak for GB pole vaulters
GB also had high hopes for the women’s pole vault, with Holly Bradshaw winning bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Molly Caudery becoming world indoor champion in March.
Caudery, 24, has the world’s highest jump of the year having set a British record of 4.92m in June.
But her first Olympics were short-lived as she failed with three attempts to clear 4.55m at the Stade de France.
Bradshaw jumped 4.20m but still crashed out of the competition after failing at 4.50m.
GB quartet through to semi-finals
On a busy morning in the athletics, Alastair Chalmers made a desperate dive for the line to ensure he qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles, while defending champion Karsten Warholm won his heat.
Jessie Knight also made a late lunge for the line in the women’s 400m hurdles to join GB team-mate Lina Nielsen in Tuesday’s semi-finals.
Lina’s twin sister Laviai qualified for the women’s 400m semi-finals and Amber Anning won her heat, although Victoria Ohuruogu must go through to the repechage round.
However, both Lawrence Okoye and Nick Percy failed to qualify for the men’s discus final.
The men’s 200m heats begin later (18:55 BST), although GB’s Zharnel Hughes has withdrawn because of tightness in his hamstring.
The women’s 200m semi-finals take place from 19:45 and GB’s Keely Hodgkinson will go for gold in the women’s 800m final at 20:47.
