History was made with the first Olympic medal for New Zealand women’s team pursuit at the Paris Olympic Games.
The quartet of Ally Wollaston, Bryony Botha, Emily Shearman and Nicole Shields claimed the silver medal after being edged by USA in the gold medal final.
After the women’s team pursuit was eighth in Tokyo, fifth in Rio and fourth in London, the 2024 group finally got on to the podium.
After strong performances in the lead-up, the quartet was initially sombre that they were unable to convert their form to win the gold medal. But the USA combination showed their experience, making a fast start and holding the advantage until the final two laps when the kiwi quartet started to haul them in, finishing just 0.6s behind at the finish.
“It first it was a little disappointment,” said Ally Wollaston. “But on reflection we have done what no other women’s team pursuit have managed. We are still young and have come a long way and have a lot more to give.
“We have had a great few days, broken records and made an Olympic final. We left absolutely everything we had on the track and we are proud of our achievement.”
The group also paid tribute to coach Paul Manning for his leadership and his belief in empowering the team to set their own standards.
There was a record in men’s individual sprint with Sam Dakin taking 0.3s off his personal best to clock 9.47s for the flying 200m qualifying. It broke the record of former team sprint world champion Sam Webster of 9.615.
Dakin won his first round sprint clash but was edged out in the round of 32 by 0.02s by Poland’s experience Mateusz Rudyk.
“I am thrilled to get that record. I thought I had a 9.6 in me but 9.47 is unreal. I have come here mostly for my keirin and this gives me some real confidence,” said Dakin.
Team sprint starter Rebecca Petch also showed her improving form in the keirin, after becoming a semifinalist in BMX Racing at Tokyo before moving to track sprinting two years ago. Petch moved through the first round repechage before going out in the second round.
Teammate Ellesse Andrews, the silver medallist in Tokyo, manoeuvred her way through to the quarterfinals with a strong showing.
The men’s team pursuit combination of Aaron Gate, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Campbell Stewart finished fifth in their competition, impressing in their final to clock 3:44.741 and beat off the challenge from hosts France.
“We didn’t come here for fifth place, but that said, we can be proud of our achievement today, We left everything out there and produced a very good performance,” said Aaron Gate.
Australia won the gold medal, capitalising on a rider error in the final lap by Great Britain.
Tomorrow sees Gate in the men’s omnium and Andrews progress in the women’s keirin.