PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 06: Alice Finot of Team France applauds fans and family after competing in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase final on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 06, 2024 in Paris, France.
When the women’s 3000m steeplechase athletes walked onto the track at Stade de France for their final, I didn’t know much about the race, but I knew immediately who Alice Finot was. A 7-time European champion from France, it seemed as though the entire stadium, packed with European fans, was chanting her name as the athletes lined up on the start line. The energy was electric, and the anticipation palpable.
Alice Finot ended up breaking a European record last night in the 3000m steeplechase, even though she did not make it to the podium. The race was truly a test of endurance and agility, with barriers and water jumps pushing the athletes to their limits. Alice was clearly strategic throughout, hanging towards the back of the pack for much of the grueling race. But it was her incredible final lap that stole the show, as she surged from 9th to 4th place, the crowd erupting in cheers and applause, willing her forward with every stride.
The competition was fierce, with the world’s top athletes vying for a spot on the podium. In a dramatic finish, the bronze medal was decided in the final meters, just out of reach for Alice. Her time was 8:58.67, setting a new European record and marking a historic moment for European athletics. This wasn’t just a personal triumph for Alice Finot; it was a showcase of perseverance and tenacity, qualities that resonate deeply with fans and fellow athletes alike.
The gold medal was won by Winfred Yavi of Bahrain, with silver and bronze going to athletes from Uganda and Kenya respectively. Despite not medaling, Alice’s performance was something to be immensely proud of. Pure joy and pride exuded from her and her crowd of fans as she exited the stadium. The applause did not cease; it followed her, echoing the impact of her achievement.
Alice Finot also showed commendable grace and sportsmanship, congratulating the gold, silver, and bronze medalists with genuine warmth. Her journey at the 2024 Olympics set a new standard for future generations, proving that true victory often lies not just in the medals themselves but in the journey and the records you shatter along the way.
