Team GB athlete speaks out after being brutally booed by French spectators during Olympic event
Team GB's Tom Pidcock has spoken out after being brutally booed by French fans during his gold medal-winning event.
Pidcock produced a heroic performance to bag the gold medal in the men's mountain bike final at the 2024 Olympics.
The 25-year-old edged out France's Victor Koretzky despite trailing by as much as 40 seconds at one point in the race.
He also had to overcome a puncture, which looked to have ended his chances.
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But he persevered and showed off his remarkable skills to move his way back up the standings.
However, the locals saw it differently as they booed Pidcock, adjudging him to have made an infringement on Koretzky during the race.
He was jeered by French fans as he crossed the finish line.
Speaking after his stunning showing, Pidcock hit out at the spectators booing him, claiming there's no place for that in the Olympics.
"They were booing before that,” he said, with a smile on his face as he spoke about retaining his mountain bike title.
"I do understand, but I don’t think there’s a place for that in the Olympics."
He added: "It's a shame, because that's not really the spirit of the Olympics.
"But I do also understand it. The French are very passionate. They wanted Victor to win, which is understandable.
"But, you know, they didn't boo the rock that made me puncture."
Pidcock continued: "When I have adversity like that, it is when I get the most out of myself, because every second counts,
"That is when I feel the best of me comes out, because there is no time to waste and everything, I do is perfect.”
The British cyclist said neither himself nor his girlfriend enjoyed the race despite the thrilling spectacle.
"My girlfriend said it was the worst race she ever watched," he said. "I didn’t enjoy it that much.
"Tokyo I was in control, and I was enjoying it. Yesterday I was suffering, fighting and trying to get past riders."
Topics: Olympics
Nasir Jabbar