First British athlete wins gold medal at Paris 2024 Olympics – competing for another nation

TEAM GB may still be waiting for a first gold medal at the Paris Games… but British-born rugby star Aaron Grandidier has already been crowned Olympic champion with France.

The 24-year-old finished off a brilliant run from French talisman Antoine Dupont to score his side’s second try in their sensational 28-7 victory over Fiji in the rugby sevens on Saturday.

Rex

Reuters

It means Grandidier is the only British-born athlete to have tasted Olympic gold so far in Paris.

Originally from Bromley, he began playing rugby in Orpington at the age of just 11.

He went on to represent Kent U18s and St Mary’s University, but was still being snubbed by professional clubs in England.

After a stint with England’s 7s development team, Grandidier, whose mum is from France, then opted to go across the Channel to play for Brive’s academy side.

This swiftly led to interest from the French national team, while he also signed a deal with pro club Pau earlier this year.

Now a gold medallist, he has spoken about the decision to choose France over England and GB.

He said: “I found out France had a system that allowed you a bit more time to break out on to the scene, so I was like, ‘you know what, screw it, I’ve got nothing to lose, this is what I want to do’.

“So I decided to chase it and pursue that dream.”

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Grandidier’s gold with France came after Team GB failed to qualify for the finals.

But while GB are still waiting for a first gold medal, they have secured three silvers and two bronze.

Those silvers came from cyclist Anna Henderson in the women’s time trial, swimmer Adam Peaty in the 100 metre breaststroke, and Tom Daley and Noah Williams in the 10 metre synchro.

GB’s two bronze medal winners are Kimberley Woods in the women’s slalom and Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen in the women’s synchronised 3 metre springboard.