The Iceberg kirjoitti 31.7.2024 klo 0.04:
Those Frenchies get really angry when us Brits do well at cycling! :D
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2024/07/29/tom-pidcock-mountain-bike-paris-2024-latest-updates/
France fans’ boos and bottle throwing not in Olympic spirit, says Tom Pidcock after brilliant gold
Tom Pidcock said French fans booing him was not “really the spirit of
the Olympics” after he sensationally beat home rider Victor Koretzky to Olympic mountain bike gold.
He might have labelled the course “bland” but the manner in which
Pidcock retained his title at Élancourt Hill was anything but.
The 24-year-old successfully defended the title he won in Tokyo three
years ago in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, coming back from a mid-race puncture to win with a pass on Koretzky on virtually the final corner.
The Leeds-born rider, who had trailed by 40 seconds after his puncture
on lap four of eight, streaked away to win, but he was showered with
boos by the partisan home crowds as he crossed the line. One fan even
threw a water bottle at him as he clasped his hands to his face in a
mixture of relief and celebration.
Asked about the booing, Pidcock, who celebrates his 25th birthday on
Tuesday and has hopes of a medal in the road race on Saturday, said:
“The boos are a shame because that’s not really the spirit of the Olympics. But I do understand that the French are very passionate, they wanted Victor to win. That was understandable. They didn’t boo the rock that made me puncture.”
It was unclear whether the spectators were more upset by Pidcock’s move
on Koretzky – which saw him dart left around a tree, sneaking ahead of
the Frenchman, who then nearly clipped him as they came back together –
or simply by the fact their man lost.
The boos continued after the race, with some heard as Pidock received
the gold medal during the podium ceremony.
After God Save The King rang out across Élancourt Hill, a defiant La Marseillaise rang out from the French fans, though it should be noted
that many French fans also cheered the Briton, shouting ‘Pidcock,
Pidock’ as he made his way through the media mixed zone.
Pidcock was hugely emotional after the race, embracing his girlfriend
Bethany and parents Giles and Sonja for what seemed an age.
“I am keeping my glasses on for a reason,” he told the BBC.
Maybe Pelle just prefers mediterranean cycling?
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