Team GB have Olympic silver medal taken off them after dramatic review from officials

Team GB were demoted to bronze during the mixed triathlon event at the Paris Olympics.

Heading into the race, the Team GB quartet of Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Samuel Dickinson and Beth Potter were one of the favourites to clinch gold.

Team GB also won the event three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics.

Having already won the gold in the individual event, Yee gave his team the perfect start as he handed over to Taylor-Brown in the lead.

Taylor-Brown was then caught by Germany’s Lisa Tertsch before Dickinson produced a fine leg to regain Team GB’s lead.

Heading into the final stages, Potter was neck and neck with Germany’s Laura Lindemann and Taylor Knibb of Team USA.

Eventually, Lindemann crossed the line first as Potter and Knibb shared a photo finish.

Initially, Team GB were awarded the silver medal but after a review by the race officials, it was revealed that Team USA had finished in second place, with the Brits demoted to the bronze medal position.

Former triathlete Annie Potter said on BBC TV: “I really don't think Beth Potter could have given any more.

“I just think the fatigue from winning the bronze medal in the individual was too much for her. You could see how fatigued she was when she crossed the line.”

BBC

British Triathlon performance director Mike Cavendish said: “We thought it was sliver, the display showed it was silver. The judges will look at a video still, that isn't great to go off. When it's come to the official photo finish, America were just ahead of us.

“It's very rare that it goes to a photo finish. I'm still so proud they got a bronze, it's just a brilliant advert for our sport.”

When asked if the team will appeal the result, Cavendish added: “[No] I've seen the photo, when you zoom in, it's relatively clear.

“We didn't come into the race as favourites, we were probably third favourites. America have muscled there way in, we can't be disappointed with a bronze.”