Competing at her third Olympics, Bryony Page managed to win gold and complete a full medal set in the women’s trampoline.
She was a silver medalist in Rio in 2016 and a bronze medalist three years ago in Tokyo and headed into Paris aiming to stand atop the podium.
Going sixth, Page produced an almost flawless routine, being awarded a score 56.480 by the judges – 15.000 for difficulty, 16.400 for execution, 15.580 for time of flight and 9.500 for horizontal displacement.
While she waited for her results to be read out, Page could be seen saying, “Please, please,” in anticipation.
Page described to reporters afterwards being “really, really nervous” waiting for those scores to comes through.
The 33-year-old didn’t have to wait long as her first-place score was announced, falling to her knees knowing that she was assured at least a silver medal.
And when the final athlete to compete, China’s Hu Yicheng, fell off the mat ending her routine, Page’s gold medal was secure and the emotion began to flow.
After missing out twice before, the two-time world champion now is an Olympic champion.
As for the future, Page says she’s keeping her options open, with one eye on the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya, an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) from Belarus, won silver with a score of 56.060 while Canada’s Sophiane Méthot won bronze.
This post has been updated with quotes from Team GB’s Bryony Page.