Tom Pidcock gold medal spoiled by 'disgusting' boos from Olympics crowd as Brit crossed the finish line

Tom Pidcock won gold after suffering a puncture

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 29/07/2024

- 15:33

Updated: 29/07/2024

- 15:38

Tom Pidcock won Team GB's second gold medal on the third day of the Olympics.

Tom Pidcock pulled off a remarkable comeback to defend his mountain bike Olympic title, but his moment was marred by boos from the French crowd at the finish line.

The world champion was the strong favourite to win gold heading into the race, but that looked unlikely after he suffered a puncture on the third lap.


He dropped down to ninth with a 39-second gap between him and home favourite Victor Koretzky.

But Pidcock incredibly closed up to the leading group two laps later and was soon battling with the French rider for the lead.

Tom Pidcock won gold after suffering a puncture

Tom Pidcock won gold after suffering a puncture

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The pair exchanged the lead several times and they even collided at one point as Pidcock attempted an overtake.

That proved decisive as Pidcock kicked on to take the gold medal, but he was loudly booed at the finish line from the hundreds in attendance.

And there was furore online from Brits who felt the French-strong crowd showed disrespect to Pidcock with their jeers.

One viewer fumed: "How bloody rude for the French fans to boo our gold medalist Tom Pidcock."

Another angrily posted: "Disgusting that Pidcock is being booed! Hardly in the Olympic spirit."

A third message read: "Hate hearing the French fans boo Tom Pidcock because he beat the Frenchman."

One other person said: "Yet again France embarrassed itself."

Another wrote: "Pidcock clearly a bit shaken by being booed despite having done nothing wrong."

Tom Pidcock trailed by 39 seconds at one point

Tom Pidcock trailed by 39 seconds at one point

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Pidcock was visibly emotional when he spoke to the BBC after his incredible victory and admitted he was keeping his glasses on to hide his tears.

He said: "The Olympics is so special, you never give up, you give everything, and that is what I had to do.

"I knew that Victor was going to be super fast in the last lap even if I couldn't get rid of him.

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Tom Pidcock suffered the puncture on the third lap

Tom Pidcock suffered the puncture on the third lap

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"I knew it was going to be a big fight, and he left a gap and I had to go for it. That's racing.

"Some people might view it differently but I wanted to show that sport is about not giving up.

"It is a shame that the French were booing me but you know."

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