Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of the exiled wing of Hamas and its chief negotiator on problems with struggle and peace, was assassinated on July 31 throughout a go to to Tehran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. He had additionally met simply hours earlier with Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an indication of Haniyeh’s standing with Iran. The beautiful assault, broadly assumed to be by Israel, evoked rage in Iran and from its community within the so-called Axis of Resistance. In a press release, the armed wing of Hamas stated the assassination would “take the battle to new dimensions and have main repercussions.” Khamenei stated Iran had an obligation to avenge Haniyeh’s dying and warned Israel of “harsh punishment.”

Iran stated Washington shared duty for Haniyeh’s killing due to its navy assist for Israel earlier than and throughout the Gaza Warfare. From Singapore, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that america had been both forewarned or concerned within the assault.

The assassination mirrored escalating tensions throughout the Center East. Only a day earlier, on July 30, an Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut killed Fuad Sukr, a senior Hezbollah commander linked by Israel to the assault on the Druze village of Majdal Shams within the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, which had killed 12 kids or youngsters on July 27. The escalation between Israel and Iran’s community of allies coincided with a US airstrike on an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq on July 30—the primary since February. The Pentagon claimed that fighters within the Standard Mobilization forces had been making ready strikes in opposition to US forces primarily based in Iraq and neighboring Syria to stop ISIS from retaking territory—an operation unrelated to the Arab-Israel battle.

Haniyeh had survived an assassination try in 2003 when he was a outstanding aide to Sheikh Yassin, the founding father of Hamas, in Gaza. In April 2024, three of his sons — Hazem, Amir and Mohammad — had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza. Haniyeh’s deputy Saleh al Arouri was killed in January by Israel. His sister and her household had been killed in an airstrike in June.

In January 2020, Haniyeh delivered a eulogy on the funeral of Common Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the exterior operations arms of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Soleimani, killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, performed a key position in constructing the navy capabilities of Iranian allies and proxies throughout the Center East. What Soleimani “offered to Palestine and the resistance has introduced them to the place they’re in right now by way of energy and steadfastness,” Haniyeh stated in Tehran. Through the go to, Haniyeh additionally met with Soleimani’s successor, Brigadier Common Esmail Ghaani, the brand new head of the Qods Power.

The Haniyeh assassination interrupted months of negotiations involving Israel, america, Egypt and Qatar over phrases to finish the Gaza struggle and free dozens of Israeli hostages held for the reason that Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, a serious participant within the negotiations and an interlocutor with Hamas, warned Israel that “political assassinations and continued concentrating on of civilians in Gaza whereas talks proceed leads us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one get together assassinates the negotiator on different facet?” The next sections cowl response to the assassination, biographic materials on Haniyeh, and background on Hamas ideology.

Response by Iran and its Allies

Hamas

Sami Abu Zuhri on July 31, 2024: “This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that goals to interrupt the need of Hamas and the need of our individuals and obtain pretend targets. We affirm that this escalation will fail to attain its goals.”

“Hamas is an idea and an establishment and never individuals. Hamas will proceed on this path whatever the sacrifices and we’re assured of victory.”

Hamas Spokesperson Khalil al Hayya on July 31, 2024: Israel will “pay the value for a heinous crime.” 

Qassam Brigades on July 31, 2024: Haniyeh’s killing “will take the battle to new dimensions and have main repercussions.”

Iran

Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 31, 2024: “The courageous chief and outstanding Palestinian mujahid, Mr. Ismail Haniyeh, joined his Creator within the early hours at daybreak, and the nice Resistance Entrance is mourning his loss. The legal, terrorist Zionist regime martyred our pricey visitor in our territory and has induced our grief, but it surely has additionally ready the bottom for a extreme punishment.

“Martyr Haniyeh was keen to sacrifice his honorable life on this dignified battle for a few years. He was ready for martyrdom and had sacrificed his kids and family members on this path. He was not afraid of being martyred on the trail of God and with a purpose to save the lives of God’s servants. Nonetheless, following this bitter, tragic occasion which has taken place throughout the borders of the Islamic Republic, we imagine it’s our obligation to take revenge.

“I supply my condolences to the Islamic Ummah, the Resistance Entrance, the brave, proud individuals of Palestine, and specifically to the household and family members of Martyr Haniyeh and of one in every of his companions who was martyred beside him. Might Almighty God elevate their ranks.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian on July 31, 2024: “The bond between the 2 proud nations of Iran and Palestine will likely be stronger than earlier than, and the trail of resistance and protection of the oppressed will likely be adopted stronger than ever. The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor, delight and dignity, and make the terrorist invaders remorse their cowardly motion.”

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on July 31, 2024: “The heinous crime dedicated by the Zionist regime in killing Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political bureau, will undoubtedly be met with a harsh and painful response from the highly effective Resistance Entrance.”

Overseas Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani on July 31, 2024: “Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this famous mujahid who honorably campaigned in opposition to the usurper Zionist regime in liberating the holy Quds and releasing the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of Zionist occupiers won’t ever go in useless.” 

“As a supporter and confederate of the Zionist regime within the continuation of the occupation and genocide of Palestinians, the US authorities is accountable in committing this heinous act of terrorism.”

Hezbollah

Hezbollah assertion on Telegram on July 31, 2024: “We in Hezbollah share with our pricey brothers within the Hamas motion all the emotions of ache over the lack of this nice chief, the emotions of anger on the enemy’s crimes, the emotions of delight that the leaders in our actions are main their individuals and their mujahideen to martyrdom.”

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Deputy Secretary Common Muhammad al Hindi on July 31, 2024: “This assassination isn’t solely directed on the Palestinian resistance and Hamas, specifically, however it is usually directed at Iran.”

“Israel is on the snapping point, and its reactions mirror confusion and lack of ability to attain any of its targets. Israel is going through such resistance for the primary time in its historical past.”

Houthis

Supreme Revolutionary Committee head Mohammed Ali al Houthi on July 31, 2024: “Focusing on Ismail Haniyeh is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of legal guidelines and splendid values.”

Biography of Haniyeh

Haniyeh’s household fled from al Majdal Asqalan, in what’s now Ashkelon in southern Israel, throughout the 1948 Arab-Israeli Warfare. Born in 1962 within the Shati refugee camp in Gaza, he joined the Islamic Scholar Bloc whereas a pupil in 1984. He graduated with a level in Arabic literature from the Islamic College in Gaza in 1987. When the First Intifada broke out, he participated in anti-Israel protests and was a founding member of Hamas. He spent six months in an Israeli jail in 1988 and one other three years starting in 1989. In 1992, Israel deported him and lots of of different Palestinian militants to Lebanon.

After the PLO signed the Oslo Accord with Israel in 1993, Haniyeh returned to Gaza to move the Islamic College. He shortly climbed the ranks inside Hamas. In 2001, he grew to become the third-highest rating official. In 2006, he headed the Hamas record in its first run for parliament. After Hamas upset the secular Fatah Celebration, Haniyeh was appointed prime minister of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas compelled Fatah—its political officers and safety forces — out of Gaza in 2007. Palestinian President Abbas dismissed him, however Haniyeh remained the de facto chief of Gaza till Hamas leaders elected him to move the 15-person Politburo in 2017, when he moved to Qatar. America labeled him a “Specifically Designated International Terrorist” in 2018. He left Gaza in 2019 and arrange an workplace in Qatar. Haniyeh was reelected head of the Hamas Politburo in 2021.

Hamas Ideology

Hamas—the Islamic Resistance Motion or Harakat al Muqawama al Islamiyah—is each an Islamist get together and a militia primarily based in Gaza. It was based in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a well-liked cleric, because the Palestinian department of the Muslim Brotherhood. It emerged throughout the first intifada rebellion in opposition to the Israeli occupation. Its unique constitution advocated destroying Israel and establishing an impartial Islamic state in historic Palestine. A revised constitution, launched in Might 2017, provisionally accepted a Palestinian state primarily based on the 1967 borders.

Hamas has two major divisions. The political wing governs Gaza and supplies social companies. The navy wing—the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades, named after a Muslim preacher in British-occupied Palestine within the Thirties—targets Israel with rockets, suicide bomb assaults, and cross-border raids. In October 1997, america designated Hamas as a Overseas Terrorist Group.

Relationship with Iran

Iran supplies Hamas with monetary help, weapons and coaching. Their relations converged after the 1990 Gulf Warfare and the US-orchestrated Madrid Peace Convention, which was organized to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace course of. In 1992, at a convention in Tehran, Iran reportedly vowed to offer Hamas $30 million yearly and supply navy coaching. Hamas later opened an workplace in Tehran. Ties deepened in 1992 after Israel deported lots of of Palestinians, together with Hamas leaders, to Lebanon. Whereas in Lebanon, Hamas acquired navy coaching from Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Between 1990 and 2000, Iranian monetary assist to Hamas reportedly ranged from $20 million to $50 million yearly, even because it maintained ties with Yasser Arafat’s Palestinian Liberation Group and the Fatah Celebration—political rivals to Hamas.

Within the 2006 legislative elections, Hamas received a majority—76 of the 132 seats, in comparison with Fatah’s 43 seats. It briefly led the Palestinian Authority in each the West Financial institution and Gaza. Within the 12 months after the elections, nonetheless, tensions grew between the 2 largest Palestinian events. In mid-2007, President Mahmoud Abbas (of Fatah) fired Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh (of Hamas); Hamas additionally forcibly assumed management of safety within the Gaza strip. These actions resulted within the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority’s unity authorities and the de facto division of the Palestinian territories into two entities, with Gaza ruled by Hamas and the West Financial institution ruled by Fatah. 

Throughout this turbulent interval, Hamas ties to Iran deepened. In December 2006, Prime Minister Haniyeh visited Tehran, the place he met with Supreme Chief Ayatollah Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran reportedly gave Hamas $250 million. Through the 2008 Gaza Warfare—dubbed “Operation Solid Lead” by the Israelis and the “Battle of al Furqan” by Hamas—Iran elevated help, together with extra superior rockets, to Hamas. “The victory of the individuals of Gaza was a miracle of God, and the Islamic Republic positively has a share on this victory,” stated Khaled Mashaal, the Hamas political chief in exile.

The outbreak of the Syrian civil struggle in 2011 triggered a break up between Tehran and Hamas, which backed opposing events. Iran offered troops and strategic navy help to prop up President Bashar al Assad, a member of the Alawite minority. Hamas pledged assist for the predominantly Sunni opposition. In return, Iran minimize off funding to Hamas—reportedly $23 million month-to-month—in 2012. Hamas was additionally squeezed in 2013 when the Egyptian navy ousted the primary Muslim Brotherhood-led authorities in Cairo and closed tunnels between Gaza and Egypt that Hamas had relied on to smuggle provides, arms and other people. The closures had a sweeping affect on income sources for the Hamas authorities, reportedly decreasing its finances by as much as 75 p.c.

After the break up with Syria, Meshaal and different senior Hamas members had been compelled to depart their long-time base in Damascus. Hamas turned to Qatar for funding and instead headquarters. The partnership with Doha helped to ease a few of motion’s monetary troubles.

In 2015, tensions between Hamas and Iran additionally developed when Hamas expressed tacit assist for the Saudi-led offensive in opposition to the Houthis, a militant insurgent group backed by Iran in Yemen.

In August 2017, Iran once more started funding Hamas after Saleh al Arouri, the Hamas second-in-command, met with senior Iranian officers. “Relations with Iran are wonderful and Iran is the most important supporter of the Izz ad-Din al Qassam Brigades with cash and arms,” stated Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas navy chief. “The connection right now is creating and returning to what it was within the outdated days … This will likely be mirrored within the resistance [against Israel] and within the [Hamas] agenda to attain liberation.” Within the spring of 2018, Hamas officers stated relations with Iran had been nearer than at any time for the reason that Syrian civil struggle erupted in 2011. In August 2018, Israeli media reported that Iran was transferring some $70 million a 12 months, or $5.83 million a month, to Hamas.

In July 2019, 9 Hamas officers, together with Arouri, met with Supreme Chief Khamenei in Tehran. Iran reportedly supplied to extend month-to-month transfers to Hamas to $30 million in alternate for data on the situation of Israel’s missile stockpiles.

Iranian Brigadier Common Amir Ali Hajizadeh boasted that Tehran had offered weapons and know-how to Palestinian militant teams, notably rockets. “In Palestine, they’re now utilizing rockets as an alternative of stones,” the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Power and Missile Unit stated in January 2021. Hajizadeh claimed that Iran had additionally taught Palestinian militants manufacture their very own weaponry. Hamas political leaders acknowledged receiving assist from Iran. “I give due to those that offered funds and weaponry to the brave resistance, the Islamic Republic of Iran, [which] has not skimped in extending funds, weaponry, and know-how to the resistance,” Haniyeh said on a Hamas Telegram channel in Might 2021.

Iranian leaders lauded Hamas for its multi-pronged assault on Israel that killed greater than 1,000 individuals in October 2023. Supreme Chief Khamenei known as the unprecedented operation “a devastating earthquake” and a “nice calamity” for Israel, regardless that the Palestinian group dedicated murderous atrocities and hostage seizures of Israeli civilians from houses, streets and even a music competition in central and southern Israel. In a phone name with Haniyeh, the Hamas political bureau chief, President Ebrahim Raisi known as the assault “the success of the 70-year-old expectation of the Palestinian nation and the Islamic Ummah (nation).” 

The acquainted tune of ‘La Marseillaise’ rung round Paris La Défense Area as Léon Marchand raised his arm to offer a large fist pump.

‘Marchons, marchons…’, 1 / 4 of an hour earlier, it was ‘Marchand, Marchand’.

The 22-year-old has now definitively established himself because the face of Paris 2024 by reaching one of the crucial exceptional performances in swimming historical past.

Over the course of two hours he made historical past by changing into the primary particular person ever to win two particular person swimming titles in a single session.

Not even the legendary Michael Phelps, who was coached by Bob Bowman, the person now overseeing the Frenchman had finished what Marchand managed.

And what’s extra, he did it up in opposition to essentially the most intense competitors.

His first race was the 200m butterfly, with Hungary’s Kristof Milak, the world file holder and the Olympic champion standing in his manner.

For 150 metres, it appeared as if order could be restored. Milak’s private finest was a second sooner than anybody in historical past and two higher than Marchand.

However simply because the problem seemed to be too nice, Marchand began his assault. It’s underwater the place he’s in a special league to anybody else, and as he managed almost 15 metres after the ultimate flip, lactic acid little question burning his arms, Marchand minimize a physique size deficit in half.

All of the sudden it was on, and like each good predator, Marchand was relentless. Milak has utterly dominated this occasion, however he had no reply to the Frenchman. The group noise was electrical. When not used for the Olympics, this enviornment hosts rugby and rock concert events. It might by no means have skilled a crescendo like this although.

He touched house in a time of 1:51.21, breaking Milak’s Olympic file and overtaking Phelps because the second quickest man ever within the occasion.

Having finished the unthinkable, Marchand then needed to relaxation and get well. Two hours in swimming is nothing, and even much less so when you’ve gotten a victory ceremony and a primary Marseillaise to sing.

With that behind him, he returned for his second problem of the night time – 200m breaststroke.

This time, it was Olympic champion and former world file holder Zac Stubblety-Prepare dinner who was his major rival.

The Australian is famend for his ending velocity, typically making up big deficits to triumph. When Marchand went out beneath world file tempo, the concern was that the fatigue would meet up with him.

As he drained, certainly then Stubblety-Prepare dinner might strike.

However Marchand isn’t any mere human. Even on a stroke the place his underwater benefit is lowered dramatically, he’s nonetheless the very best round.

He didn’t fairly break Qin Haiyang’s world file, however his time of two:05.85 was nonetheless an Olympic finest.

Marchand might be again on Thursday to begin his pursuit of a fourth particular person title. It’s a feat solely Phelps, Mark Spitz and Kristin Otto have ever managed.

After reaching the unattainable, Marchand can do something.

Unlock the Editor’s Digest without cost

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favorite tales on this weekly publication.

French swimmer Léon Marchand received his second and third gold medals on Wednesday night time to cement his place because the hometown hero and breakout star of the Paris Olympics.

Amid the deafening roar of hundreds of followers shouting his identify, the 22-year-old from Toulouse got here first within the 200m butterfly after which triumphed within the 200m breaststroke — a powerful efficiency given there have been solely two hours between the races.

Within the butterfly, Marchand confronted powerful competitors from Hungary’s Kristóf Milák, the defending champion and world document holder, however the Frenchman edged forward within the ultimate stretch to win and notch up a brand new Olympic document. 

Within the breaststroke, he once more set a brand new Olympic document and have become the primary swimmer to ever win medals in butterfly and breaststroke on the identical video games.

The outcomes will gas the Marchand mania that has gripped France because the softly spoken athlete received his first gold on Sunday by obliterating his opponents within the 400m particular person medley.

He has given the host nation a cause to rejoice even because the early days of the Paris video games had been marked by a controversial opening ceremony, setbacks to triathlon occasions within the River Seine, and sabotage towards France’s high-speed rail system.

Celebratory cheers could possibly be heard throughout Paris on Wednesday night time as bars and cafés arrange televisions for individuals to look at their new hero.

An enormous {photograph} of Marchand crouched in beginning place in a swim cap and goggles has been stretched over the Tour Montparnasse skyscraper in southern Paris.

Born right into a swimming household to folks who had been each one-time Olympians, Marchand is carrying France’s sporting hopes on his shoulders. 

His outcomes will assist decide if France can capitalise on dwelling benefit to fulfill its purpose to interrupt into the highest 5 international locations within the medals desk — which might be an enormous enchancment from previous performances.

France began Wednesday night time in fourth place, however with Marchand’s two golds, his nation shot as much as second behind China.

Marchand is planting a French flag in a sport lengthy dominated by Individuals like Michael Phelps, who received 28 Olympic gold medals and is the world’s most profitable swimmer, and Australian Ian Thorpe, who secured 9. 

Ever since Marchand broke Phelps’ world document within the 400m particular person medley final 12 months, the swimming world’s hype machine has sought to anoint the Frenchman as his successor. 

Marchand moved to Arizona to coach with Phelps’ former coach, Bob Bowman, who has helped him enhance every part from his turns to his restoration ways.

Certainly one of Bowman’s first contributions to Marchand’s arsenal was to present him Phelps’ warm-up routine, which he nonetheless makes use of. 

Therese Alshammar, a three-time Olympic medal swimmer for Sweden who now does commentary for Eurosport, cautioned towards comparisons, particularly since Marchand was simply beginning out.

“It’s wonderful that at 22 years previous he’s competing within the Olympics at dwelling and has not buckled beneath stress,” she mentioned.

“He’s beginning out on a path to be one of the remembered swimmers within the historical past of Europe, and perhaps the world, though Michael may need one thing to say about that.”

Bowman mentioned on Sunday that his protégé had the “complete package deal” of expertise for a champion.

“He’s obtained the pace, he’s obtained the endurance, he’s obtained the beneath waters,” the coach mentioned, referring to Marchand’s sinuous kicks at begins and on turns, and his skill to outlast opponents within the punishing underwater section of races.

Doing each the butterfly and the breaststroke was Marchand’s thought, in response to Bowman, who was not initially supportive.

“I used to be sort of leaning in the direction of simply doing one, even every week in the past. However he was fairly assured,” he mentioned on Wednesday night.

Marchand beamed throughout his second medal ceremony of Wednesday night time, and joined the gang as they belted out La Marseillaise, the French nationwide anthem. “It’s simply loopy to reside by way of this as a French swimmer,” he instructed reporters afterwards.

He mentioned he was channelling the deafening cheers from the house crowd, particularly throughout his come from behind win within the butterfly.

“I might hear the entire pool simply going loopy and I believe that’s why I used to be capable of win the race,” mentioned Marchand.

After experiencing three ACL tears, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade thought a number of instances about giving up gymnastics. None apart from Simone Biles, probably the most embellished gymnast of all time, inspired her to proceed.

That’s though Biles, in her latest Netflix documentary, Simone Biles Rising, admitted that Andrade is her fiercest competitor and “scares me probably the most.”

Learn Extra: What Are ‘the Twisties’ in Gymnastics? Simone Biles Confronted the Situation on the Tokyo Olympics

However it’s been a pleasant and respectful rivalry between the gymnasts for years. On the 2023 world championships, after the ground last by which Biles secured gold and Andrade silver, Biles positioned the crown she was given atop Andrade’s head.

“It’s an honor to compete alongside her, to cheer for her,” Andrade, 25, stated after serving to the Brazilian girls win their first Olympic medal within the workforce occasion in Paris, behind Biles and the U.S. girls’s gold. “Simone is a reference for your complete world, not only for gymnastics, however for a lot of athletes.”

Andrade, who will compete within the girls’s gymnastics all-around in addition to steadiness beam, ground, and vault particular person occasions in Paris, is herself is an icon within the sport in Brazil. “She certainly has made gymnastics extra widespread for younger folks,” says Luica Martins, a Brazilian fan attending the Video games. “She has a sparkle so I hope she does nice.”

Andrade is the Olympic silver medalist within the all-around from Tokyo and was chosen by her countrymates to hold the flag on the closing ceremonies for these Video games. She gained the all-around title on the world championships in 2022, when Biles didn’t compete, bested Biles on the 2023 world championships in vault, and is the reigning Olympic vault champion. In Paris, she is predicted to unleash a brand new vault talent, a triple twisting Yurchenko by which she pushes herself off the vault in a backflip and executes three twists earlier than touchdown. If she does so efficiently, she is going to be a part of Biles in having a transfer named after her. (Biles has 5 thus far and is wanting so as to add to that tally.)

The Brazilian girls’s first ever medal within the girls’s workforce occasion is due largely to Andrade, and the curiosity in gymnastics that she has sparked—a robust sufficient motion to area a workforce of gymnasts that’s now among the many greatest on this planet. However the street to changing into Biles’ largest challenger hasn’t been straightforward. She’s used her restoration from her accidents to proceed including issue to her routines, bringing her the true chance of outscoring Biles if the Best of All Time has an off night time. “It’s about doing my greatest. And I hope [Biles] does too,” Andrade advised AFP.

Beth Potter has come a great distance from the athlete who morosely sipped cocktails from a coconut on the Copacabana eight years in the past.

Her profession was at an inflection level after a distant thirty eighth place end within the 10,000m on the Rio Olympics however an opportunity assembly in McDonalds and swap of sports activities was rewarded at Paris 2024 with ladies’s triathlon bronze.

Potter gained the take a look at occasion right here final yr and the world title however this season has did not make the highest step of the rostrum at international stage, claiming she was arriving in Paris flying below the radar.

Her techniques have been clear, keep in competition by way of the swim and keep out of hassle on bike, the place greasy cobbled sections have been treacherous after heavy in a single day rain.

Then she may strike on the run, the place, on her day, she’s the strongest athlete within the discipline.

However she didn’t depend on France’s Cassandre Beaugrand who, roared on by a sea of French tricolours alongside this made-for-Instagram course, proved simply too robust.

When she kicked for residence Potter and silver medallist, Switzerland’s Julie Derron, merely had no response as she streaked into the space.

“They have been each too good for me however I’m tremendous completely satisfied to come back away with bronze,” stated Potter, who’s coached by Olympic champion brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, transferring to their Leeds coaching group when she give up observe and discipline.

“It’s simply reduction to be trustworthy. This present day has been within the calendar for a very long time, so to come back away with a medal – I’m simply over the moon.

“Gold was on my thoughts however I acquired a medal, so there aren’t any complaints. It was a wall of noise on the market, there was not one a part of that course that was quiet.

“I’ve come a great distance in eight years and I actually really feel like I did this for me and for many who believed in what I used to be doing switching sports activities.

“The Brownlees have been a large a part of my journey. They’re the rationale I moved to the triathlon. I prepare with Alistair day in, day trip, and he’s such a giant a part of my story.

“I moved in with Jonny after I first moved to Leeds too. They’re all the time the primary to message me earlier than and after races and it means a lot to know that I’ve the help of them.”

The water high quality within the Seine has been the speaking level of latest days, regardless of the high-profile efforts of French authorities to wash it up at a reported value of £1bn.

The boys’s race was already delayed 24 hours and Potter and team-mates Georgia Taylor-Brown, who completed sixth, and Kate Waugh went to mattress final night time not realizing whether or not they’d race within the morning.

Organisers acquired their want, the race a two-hour tv showcase for Paris’ postcard landmarks, a grand stage for a French main girl, who crossed the road on the Pont Alexander III to cheers that rumbled throughout town.

However the query stays at what value?

The staging of the Video games has pressured politicians to lastly act on the embarrassing water high quality of the Seine, the place swimming has been banned since 1923 as a result of air pollution ranges. However many of those athletes are as a result of race once more in subsequent week’s staff occasion – if they will keep wholesome.

Taylor-Brown took a cocktail of pre and probiotics and lined her abdomen with peptobismol, she’d barely caught her breath earlier than she was gurgling mouthwash.

France and Nice Britain look those to beat within the staff occasion, with Taylor-Brown and Yee more likely to be the one returning members of the gold medal-winning quartet from Tokyo.

“Let’s see what the coaches determine however hopefully I’m picked, and we will go once more,” added Potter, who’s one in every of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s Nationwide Lottery-funded World Class Programme, permitting them to coach full-time, have entry to the world’s greatest coaches and profit from pioneering medical help – which has been very important on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Video games.

“I’m going to provide myself a few days to take pleasure in this after which it’s about resetting and going once more for the relay. We really feel like we’ve acquired a very robust staff, two within the prime six of the ladies’s race proves that. It’s good to have a medal however clearly nicer to have two.”

With greater than £30m every week raised for Good Causes, together with very important funding into elite and grassroots sport, Nationwide Lottery gamers help our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to stay their goals and make the nation proud, in addition to offering extra alternatives for individuals to participate in sport. To seek out out extra go to: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Fred Sirieix stated he’s “bursting with delight” and “happiness and pleasure” after his daughter gained a bronze medal within the girls’s synchronized 10m platform dive on the Paris 2024 Olympics.

On Wednesday (July 31), 19-year-old Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and her teammate Lois Toulson, 24, took to the winners’ podium on the Aquatics Centre.

The First Dates star, 52, was seen cheering from the stands as the 2 British divers have been introduced with their third-place medals.

Following the occasion, Sirieix took to social media to toast a glass of Champagne to his daughter’s and Toulson’s success.

“That is essentially the most lovely feeling,” he stated in a video on X.

“I’m bursting with delight, bursting with happiness and pleasure. It seems like I’m going to blow up,” he added. “Women, effectively finished. Thanks very a lot for this wonderful day.”

The French TV star and maitre d’ raised his glass to the display earlier than ending: “To you.”

In a subsequent tweet, Sirieix shared: “I’m nonetheless crying. Thanks a lot for all of your messages. It means rather a lot. Sorry I can’t reply to all. Merci xxx.”

He’s a part of the BBC’s presenting workforce on the video games.

open picture in gallery

Forward of the competitors, he stated he can be “too nervous” to commentate on air whereas his daughter competed.

He informed the Radio Instances: “I’ll be on the pool, watching Andrea, not working, I don’t need to touch upon my daughter diving. It’s too near my coronary heart.

“I’ll be talking and commentating post-event when every little thing’s finished. I need to take pleasure in it. No matter what occurs, there will probably be tears.”

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers solely. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews till cancelled

Attempt free of charge

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers solely. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews till cancelled

Attempt free of charge

Sirieix shares daughter Andrea and son Matteo Lucien Spendolini-Sirieix, 15, together with his former accomplice Alex Spendolini.

Spendolini-Sirieix made her Olympic debut three years in the past on the Tokyo 2020 Video games when she was simply 16.

She has since secured particular person 2022 Commonwealth and European titles, and her bronze this yr made her the primary British lady in World Diving Championships historical past to safe a medal in a person Olympic occasion.

“Success to me doesn’t equate to medals. I need to go there targeted and decided and joyful. I need to come again feeling like I made essentially the most of it, I gave it my every little thing,” she stated in an interview earlier than her historic victory.

“A contest doesn’t outline who I’m however I actually need to make recollections. With out these recollections, these medals are nugatory.”

Extra reporting by Press Affiliation

CNN
 — 

Eight-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is definitely exhausting to beat however doing so isn’t not possible.

Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade might be Biles’ greatest competitors in Thursday’s all-around finals – and has gone head-to-head with the American earlier than. In Biles’ Netflix documentary, which premiered final month, the US star stated that Andrade “scares” her essentially the most out of all her rivals.

On the World Championships final 12 months, Andrade took gold within the vault, whereas Biles took silver. This victory made Andrade the primary athlete to surpass Biles on the vault in that competitors since 2015. Andrade additionally received the world all-around gold medal in 2022.

However the Brazilian gymnast’s trajectory to success wasn’t easy crusing. After coping with what may be career-ending accidents to gymnasts (ACL tears in 2015, 2017 and 2019) and going via three knee surgical procedures, she has proven grit within the face of adversity.

She grew to become the primary South American to step onto the all-around podium, incomes a silver medal on the 2020 Olympic Video games in Tokyo. She completed second to Workforce USA’s Sunisa Lee, however 4 days later, she received gold on vault over American MyKayla Skinner.

Andrade, a São Paulo native, grew up with seven siblings and began gymnastics coaching at age 5 after her aunt took her to coaching classes on the gymnasium the place she labored.

She comes from humble beginnings – her mom, Rosa, cleaned homes to help her household and to pay for Andrade’s coaching. In 2009, Andrade moved to Curitiba earlier than taking her skills to Flamengo’s membership in Rio only a 12 months later. Now, she’s an Olympic and world champion, and maybe a girls’s particular person all-around last winner on this summer season’s Olympics.

One space the place Andrade may doubtlessly outshine Biles is on the uneven bars. Whereas the American tends to execute properly on the equipment, performing a troublesome routine, Andrade has a greater swing and might outscore her with the judges.

The most effective pictures of the Paris Olympics

In the meantime, the steadiness beam is a wild card: each gymnasts carry out properly, however Andrade must enhance the issue in her routine to outperform Biles. This equipment could make a distinction between who wins gold and who wins silver.

On the ground routine, Biles’ issue provides her a big benefit. But, contemplating that “artistry” is now counting as a part of the rating, Andrade’s fascinating dance expertise may be her ace up the sleeve. General, Biles is favored on the ground except Andrade upgrades her routine.

Within the vault, Biles has essentially the most troublesome maneuver in girls’s gymnastics, “the Biles II.” But, Andrade may carry out her “secret vault,” the triple-twisting Yurchenko, which may get a vault named after her and take the competitors to a different top. But, as that is merely hypothesis, it’s exhausting to know whether or not she will pull off the transfer.

No matter who wins, one factor is for positive: Rebeca Andrade will struggle for gold. In an interview, she made her message clear to her followers.

“They need to watch for me to provide 110%, no matter what occurs within the competitors,” she stated. “I’ll get there, give myself, physique and soul, even with all the eye and expectations.”

The Brit runs down Hayden Wilde in the previous few moments to improve his silver from Tokyo, whereas Beth Potter will get a bronze medal in girls’s occasion

Alex Yee fairly actually turned on the turbo-boosters on the Paris Olympics, discovering power late on to win a dramatic gold medal within the males’s particular person triathlon.

The Brit regarded like he’d must accept yet one more silver, after Yee completed second behind Kristian Blummenfelt within the particular person occasion in Tokyo three years in the past.

Yee was round 12 seconds again to Hayden Wilde with round a few kilometres to go however began to eat into that lead after which overtook the New Zealander with just some corners of the Parisian course left.

After crossing the road first, Yee fist bumped the air and knew that he had the gold medal within the bag, successful by six seconds.

Maybe this shouldn’t be stunning, given Yee has a wonderful background in distance working and boasts a private 10,000m better of 27:51.94 from 2018.

That yr, he additionally grew to become British champion over the space at Night time of the ten,000m PBs.

After such an enthralling particular person triumph, Yee and his fellow British teammates will intention to retain the combined relay title later within the Video games.

The unbelievable motion made up for the scheduling chaos within the build-up to the occasion.

The boys’s race was postponed by a day as a result of air pollution ranges within the Seine being too excessive for athletes to securely swim in.

In a single day rain didn’t assist the state of affairs however, following days of uncertainty, the triathlon was given the go forward.

Beth Potter (Getty)

Beth Potter claims bronze as dwelling favorite wins 

Beth Potter gained an outstanding bronze medal within the girls’s particular person triathlon, ending behind France’s Cassandre Beaugrand and Switzerland’s Julie Derron.

The Brit, who’s the reigning world champion, battled via the gruelling situations to make the rostrum.

It was unsurprising that the athletes, who didn’t simply overcome sturdy currents within the Seine but additionally greasy roads because of the in a single day rain, collapsed over the road on the end.

After a tricky swim and chaotic cycle – the latter seeing a myriad of athletes slipping and sliding on the bikes – Potter acquired herself within the main pack for the ultimate 10km, which included Derron and Beaugrand’s compatriot Emma Lombardi.

Main girls in Paris Olympics triathlon (Getty)

With a few kilometres to go, Beaugrand made the large transfer in her bid for the gold medal, instantly establishing a spot. Nobody managed to stick with her and it was greater than sufficient for the French athlete to take the victory.

Beaugrand, who trains in Loughborough, has roots within the UK and was as soon as the BUCS particular person triathlon champion.

Derron was six seconds behind Beaugrand, with Potter an additional 9 seconds again in third.

It was an unbelievable second for Potter, who represented Nice Britain in athletics on the Rio 2016 Olympics and completed thirty fourth within the 10,000m.

“I’m so joyful. I used to be going for the gold however Cassandre and Julie have been simply too good for me and I’m tremendous joyful to return away with the bronze,” Potter informed BBC Sport.

“I’ve come a great distance in eight years. I did it for me however I additionally did it for everybody who has helped me in eight years and believed in me from day one. It’s for them again dwelling as effectively.”

Reigning Olympic champion Flora Duffy completed fifth.

» Subscribe to AW journal right here