British triathlete Beth Potter says she feels “freer and under less pressure” as she aims to capture her second World Triathlon Championship title this Sunday in Wollongong, Australia. The 33-year-old Scottish Olympic bronze medallist is currently joint leader of the standings alongside defending champion Cassandre Beaugrand of France.
Potter, a former 10,000m runner turned triathlete, admitted that the build-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and the event itself “took a huge toll” on both her mental and physical well-being, as she raced under the weight of being one of the pre-tournament favourites for gold.
“I Put So Much Pressure on Myself” — Potter Reflects on Olympic Strain
Potter described the intense expectations she faced before the Paris Games:
“I was going in as one of the favourites to win Olympic gold and there was a lot of pressure and expectation on that one day. I could never really get into my groove last year. It just shows how much pressure I put on myself to come away with a medal.”
Despite her struggles, Potter dug deep to secure bronze behind Beaugrand and Switzerland’s Julie Derron, a result she described as one of the proudest of her career.
Since then, the British star has focused on recovery and rediscovery, embracing a new coaching team and spending nearly a month training at altitude in St. Moritz, Switzerland, to rebuild both her strength and confidence.
“Even just to enjoy doing triathlons again took time,” Potter admitted. “It’s taken me months to feel like myself again. But now I’m enjoying the process and training differently — this year feels like the lowest-risk opportunity to experiment.”
Tight World Championship Battle Ahead
Potter and Beaugrand are tied on 2,925 points, setting up a thrilling final showdown in Wollongong. However, Potter insists it’s “not a two-horse race”, with Jeanne Lehair, Lisa Tertsch, and Leonie Periault still mathematically in contention — though the gap exceeds 200 points.
With 1,250 points available to the winner, Sunday’s 1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run will determine who claims the 2025 World Triathlon Championship crown.
Potter will have home support in Australia, including family members who live nearby. “It’ll be special to race with my family cheering — that always gives me an extra lift,” she said.
Racing for a Friend: Potter’s Emotional Motivation
Beyond personal goals, Potter will be racing in memory of Sam O’Shea, her close friend and training partner who tragically died in a cycling accident in France last month.
“When I was hurting in that race in the Czech Republic, I told myself to push because I could — because Sam couldn’t. That gave me extra motivation,” she shared emotionally.
O’Shea, 27, was a well-known member of the triathlon community in Leeds and represented Gibraltar at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Potter recalled him as “kind, generous, and always willing to help others,” adding that his loss reminded her to “value every moment.”
Potter’s Future: Eyes on Los Angeles 2028
After Wollongong, Potter plans to take a short break before assessing her next steps, though a long-term target is already in her mind — the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I’m taking it one season at a time,” she said. “Nothing will ever compare to the pressure I felt last year, so this season feels like a relief. I’ve achieved more than I thought I would, and now I just want to keep enjoying racing.”
Potter has already claimed two major race wins in 2025, showing strong form ahead of Sunday’s decisive contest. Victory would make her one of Britain’s most successful triathletes of the modern era, reinforcing her reputation as a world-class competitor who thrives under pressure — but only after learning how to manage it.
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