Emma Finucane Secures Bronze in Women’s Keirin, Adds to Historic Paris 2024 Performance

Great Britain's Emma Finucane has clinched a bronze medal in the women's keirin, marking a "surreal" achievement as she adds a second medal to her impressive tally at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Finucane, who had set her sights on becoming the first British female athlete to win three golds in a single Games, fell short of this historic goal but delivered a commendable performance. The gold went to Ellesse Andrews of New Zealand, with Hetty van de Wouw of the Netherlands taking silver.

Earlier in the week, Finucane was part of the team that won gold in the women’s team sprint, and she was also eyeing another medal in the individual sprint. Despite her high hopes, she was thrilled with her keirin result, especially after a tense semi-final where she squeezed through to the final in third place after a photo finish.

Starting from the back of the field in the final, Finucane showcased her resilience and tactical prowess, moving swiftly up the ranks to secure her spot on the podium. The packed velodrome in Paris witnessed an electrifying performance as she maintained her composure amidst fierce competition.

In other velodrome action, Katy Marchant, who also contributed to the team sprint gold, finished fourth in the keirin. Fellow Briton Ethan Hayter, meanwhile, ended up eighth in the men’s omnium after a challenging series of races.

Jack Carlin, who had a tough start, managed to qualify for the semi-finals of the men’s sprint, setting up a crucial race against Dutch defending champion Harrie Lavreysen on Friday.

With Finucane’s bronze medal, Great Britain continues its streak of winning a medal every day in the velodrome in Paris, showcasing the strength and depth of its track cycling team. Finucane’s next opportunity for a medal comes in the individual sprint, where she will look to build on her remarkable achievements.