Emma Finucane proud of Paris Olympic Games medal haul - 'I would have loved to have come back with three gold medals'
Published 25/08/2024 at 12:32 GMT+1
Emma Finucane will go down as one of the top performers for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, having won three track cycling medals in the French capital. She took gold in the women's team sprint before adding two bronzes to her collection. She may have set the target of winning three golds before the Games got underway, but the 21-year-old is proud of what she achieved.
'Surreal' - Finucane relishing life as an Olympic gold medallist
Video credit: TNT Sports
Emma Finucane insists she is proud of her Olympic medal haul despite setting her sights on three golds prior to Paris 2024.
The track cyclist stormed to victory in the women's team sprint before picking up a brace of bronzes in the keirin and sprint.
Despite becoming the first woman in 60 years to win three Olympic medals for Team GB at the same Games, Finucane could not make her dream of three golds a reality.
However, the 21-year-old believes she did well considering the pressure of competing on the biggest stage.
"Obviously saying it is one thing, I did want to go to the Olympics and win three gold medals," she said.
Finucane continued: "After winning the first one and getting the two bronzes and all the hard work that went into it, it was such an emotional week for me.
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Watch enthralling finale as Team GB clinch glorious gold in team sprint final
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Having to deal with all the pressure and things, I am really proud of the gold medal and two bronze medals.
"Yes, I would have loved to have come back with three gold medals, obviously.
"That would have been amazing, but I am actually really content with how I conducted myself on the track, how I pushed myself every day to be the best version of myself.
"I am really grateful to come away with three medals, and I am just really proud of that."
Mary Rand was the last Team GB woman to win three medals at the same Olympic Games.
She won bronze in the 4Ă—100m relay, silver in the pentathlon and gold in the long jump at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.
Finucane did not find out that she had achieved the remarkable feat until after she had won her third medal, but she was delighted to have made history.
"Not really, no [she can't believe that she has made history]," she added.
"When I came off, I was actually told the stats like you have, and I was like 'What?'
"I did not even know that was achievable or that you could make history from that so that is pretty amazing that I have done that.
"Going into a bike race, you don't think about afterwards or how it comes across but I just wanted to do my best for British Cycling and Team GB.
"So to come away as the first woman to do that is amazing."
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