VILLAGERS in Chapmanslade are celebrating after Kate French won Olympic gold in the modern pentathlon.
Kate clinched the gold with an impressive run in the final event of the modern pentathlon to earn Great Britain’s 18th gold of the Tokyo Olympics.
“I don’t know what just happened, I can’t really believe it right now,” said Kate after her win.
“I knew I had to focus, I knew I could do it if I just focused on my shooting and ran as hard as I could.
“The team were in the stadium supporting, I could hear them in the crowd and everyone back home, I can’t thank them enough for their support.
“I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you so much.”
Kate, who lives in village with her husband Leo, will receive a hero’s welcome when she returns to Chapmanslade.
A villager told White Horse News, “Kate trains at Bath University. She and Leo live here in the village. They are a lovely couple, it is such an exciting thing to happen! A neighbour has already ordered bunting to welcome her home.”
Describing Kate’s performance as “phenomenal” TeamGB said, “The 30-year-old started the decisive laser-run in fifth position, 15 seconds back following the swimming, fencing and show jumping disciplines.
“But a brilliant first pistol shoot helped her close the gap and by the end of the first of four 800m laps, she was in the lead.
“Kate didn’t let up from there, steadily building a lead over her rivals and nailing each of the other three pistol shoot rounds before sprinting home to win by 16 seconds for Team GB’s 18th Tokyo gold.
“She follows in the footsteps of Stephanie Cook, who won Olympic gold at Sydney 2000 when the women’s modern pentathlon event was held at the Games for the first time.”
