Olympics: Nafi Thiam takes historic gold in heptathlon, bronze for Noor Vidts
Belgium's Nafi Thiam has won gold in the heptathlon competition at the Olympic Games. Friday's victory makes her the first heptathlete in history to win three gold medals in a row. Teammate Noor Vidts joined her on the podium in third place.
Thiam ran the 800m slower than her main rival, Great Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson, but she did achieve a personal record of 2:10.62. Thiam had built up a sufficient lead in the overall standings, in part thanks to a dominant performance in the javelin earlier on Friday, and it was enough to secure her another gold medal.
The victory makes Thiam the first heptathlete in history to win three consecutive gold medals, having previously won gold in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
Vidts takes bronze
28-year-old Vidts secured a second medal for Belgium by taking bronze. It is her first Olympic medal after she finished just off the podium in Tokyo.
Vidts was fourth in the standings going into the decisive 800m, just five points behind Annik Kaelin of Switzerland. She overtook Kaelin in the final event, thanks to a personal best of 2:06.38.
Belgium's Noor Vidts and Nafi Thiam celebrate after winning bronze and gold in the heptathlon at the Paris Olympics, 9 August 2024 © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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