France stun all convention to sweep Olympic BMX podium

By James Toney in Paris

Joris Daudet collapsed disbelieving to his knees, Sylvain Andre started to sob and Romain Mahieu launched his helmet into the crowd, who were collectively just losing their heads.

Even an impartial observer with rusty GCSE French felt the urge to join in with the lyrics of Je t'emmene au vent as a guy in the media tribune fired a blue, white and red confetti cannon into the sky.

When they talk about home advantage at the Olympics this was it, as the trio combined to deliver a French 1-2-3 in the giddying drama that is the BMX racing final.

BMX is the ultimate risk-and-reward sport, where the difference between champ and chump is razor-thin and a thrill is followed by a spill as sure as night follows day.

For a nation to ride their luck so spectacularly that they sweep the podium is unprecedented.

The trio had been the dominant force through qualifying which is perhaps why - just moments before their final - President Macron swept in from the Elysees Palace with his white smile, healthy tan and perfect hair. It was the hosts' 11th gold of the Games - and only China have more.

“We dreamed of that. It’s even better. It’s amazing. The people, the crowd, it’s hard to realise what we did. We’re all going to celebrate it," said Daudet.

“It’s amazing. It’s a dream come true. It’s hard to realise now, but I’m sure tonight is going to be pretty special.”

Meanwhile, Bethany Shriever learned the hard way that sport is all about timing.

The defending Olympic BMX racing champion made the final after winning every race in qualifying, including three brilliant semi-final successes.

The 25-year-old Londoner was a shock winner three years ago but has since become a two-time world champion, though a broken collarbone, just a few months ago, had impacted on her Paris preparations.

Shriever's start is the best in the world, she springs from the traps and leaves rivals in blaze of burning rubbers.

But when the big moment came she missed the break and when you're that far behind, you're doomed.

“Sport is full of ups and downs, you can’t win them all," she said.

"I had a great lead-in, my qualifiers went amazing. I was just a bit late out the start and paid the price for that. I did everything I could. My head was screwed on, I was just a bit late out the start.

"Everyone has their own things going on in their heads, I tried to keep it cool but it wasn't to be.”

The atmosphere was certainly anything but cool and calm, a far cry from silent Tokyo where Shriever won her gold in front of empty stands.

“The crowd was bonkers. That was history on its own, to be a part of that and witness that is insane," added Shriever.

Australia's Saya Sakakibara - the other stand out rider in qualifying - took gold, a happy moment after three difficult years for her family.

Sakakibara's brother was in a coma for two months after a bad BMX crash, while she took a heavy fall during the Tokyo Games and considered walking away from the sport following a series of concussions. Wearing his 77 number, she collected her Olympic gold.

"It's crazy, this feels like a dream," she said. "Every setback I had I thought that I'd give it another crack. I didn't want to leave her without thinking I'd made myself proud.

"After everything my family has been through, this is what kept me going."

Shriever was the first congratulate the new champion, while joking she was already plotting to get her medal back.

"We're going to have some great battles in the next four years but I'm ready for the challenge, she's a great rider," she added.

"I'm totally committed to LA, then I'm going to retire and have some kids. I'm just a bit disappointed because if I got a gold I thought I'd do 'I'm A Celebrity'."

There was also disappointment for British team-mate Kye Whyte, a silver medallist three years ago in Tokyo.

Whyte had complained of a back injury during qualification and crashed heavily during the semi-finals and was treated at the venue by Team GB medics.

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