Paris 2024 Olympics: Cyclist Grace Brown wins country’s first gold medal
Grace Brown dominated the women’s individual time trial to win Australia’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
The 32-year-old cyclist, who will retire at the end of this season, clocked a time of 39 minutes and 38.24 seconds over the 32.4-kilometre course in the heart of Paris.
She was a whopping 1:31.59 ahead of British rider Anna Henderson, who secured silver, while American Chloe Dygert came third.
Brown is the first Australian gold medallist in road cycling since Sara Carrigan won the women’s road race at the 2004 Olympic Games.
The podium finish also puts Australia in first place at this year’s Olympic Games and second in the medal table, behind China.
Brown had finished just outside the top three in the women’s time trial in Tokyo and said ahead of the Olympics that it would be a disappointment not to win a medal again.
Despite the rainy conditions, which led to a number of accidents with other riders, Brown said he rode a virtually flawless race.
“I really think so,” she told reporters after the race.
Grace Brown won gold for Australia on the first day of the Paris Olympics
‘I had a plan to pace the race and win gold, and I executed my plan almost perfectly, if not better.
“I couldn’t ask for a better day. It’s raining, but it doesn’t dampen my spirits.”
Brown confirmed that despite the win, she had no plans to reverse her decision to retire.
“It just makes me really proud of everything I’ve done,” she said. “I know I came here and gave it my all and it paid off. And I can finish my career feeling really happy.”
She had a huge lead of 1:31.59 over British rider Anna Henderson, winner of the silver medal
