Britain's Alex Yee Goes in Seine to Win Olympic Triathlon Test Event

Great Britain's Alex Yee won the men's triathlon test event for next year's Olympics in Paris. Emmanuel DUNAND / POOL/AFP
Great Britain's Alex Yee won the men's triathlon test event for next year's Olympics in Paris. Emmanuel DUNAND / POOL/AFP
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Britain's Alex Yee Goes in Seine to Win Olympic Triathlon Test Event

Great Britain's Alex Yee won the men's triathlon test event for next year's Olympics in Paris. Emmanuel DUNAND / POOL/AFP
Great Britain's Alex Yee won the men's triathlon test event for next year's Olympics in Paris. Emmanuel DUNAND / POOL/AFP

Britain's Alex Yee braved the waters of the Seine to win the men's triathlon test event for the Paris Olympics on Friday, on a course identical to the one set to be used for next year's event.

As with the women's test event on Thursday, won by another Briton Beth Potter, the athletes plunged into the Seine for the 1500 meter swim element -- only two weeks after the open water swimming test event had been canceled because the water quality had been ruled to be "below acceptable standards".

After 40 kilometers on the bicycle, the race concluded with Yee, 25, romping home in the 10k run down the Champs Elysees, AFP said.

The Tokyo silver medalist finished 13 seconds clear of Portugal's Vasco Vilaca and home hope Dorian Coninx.

"Having a first experience like this on this course before the next one in Paris gives me confidence and hope that I can replicate my performance when I come back," said Yee.

"It's a privilege to have the status of man to beat... but I feel like I'm continuing to improve."

Potter's win on Thursday prompted questions about the quality of the water in the river Seine which runs through the center of Paris.

"It's too early to say," said Potter after completing the course.

"Maybe we'll get sick, you never know. I hope not, but that's the risk you take swimming in open water."



New Coach Gattuso Vows to Restore Enthusiasm to Italy

Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
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New Coach Gattuso Vows to Restore Enthusiasm to Italy

Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Gennaro Gattuso, new head coach of Italy's national soccer team, attends a press conference during his official presentation, in Rome, Italy, 19 June 2025. EPA/FABIO FRUSTACI

Italy's new coach Gennaro Gattuso on Thursday pledged to restore enthusiasm and create "a family" at the battered national team, aiming to secure qualification for the next World Cup after the Azzurri missed out twice in a row.

Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti, who was sacked this month following a 3-0 defeat by Norway in a World Cup qualifier. He officially departed after overseeing his final match, a 2-0 victory against Moldova.

"It's a dream come true, and I certainly hope to be up to the task. I know the job won't be easy, but nothing in life is easy," said Gattuso, who recently left Croatian club Hajduk Split after a third-placed finish in the country's top flight.

Nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growler) for his tenacious attitude on the pitch, the 47-year-old earned 73 caps for the Italian national team and was a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad.

Fans hope his strong character can help with the task of taking the four-time world champions to next year's World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Reuters reported.

Italy, third in World Cup qualifying Group I, will host Estonia on September 5 before taking on Israel three days later.

"My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family," said Gattuso, who according to a source at the Italian soccer federation (FIGC) was given a one-year contract.

Gattuso spent the bulk of his playing career at AC Milan, where he won two Champions League and two Serie A titles, before returning to coach the club from 2017 to 2019.

As a manager he won the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020.

"The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging" to the Azzurri team, Gattuso told reporters during his presentation to the press at a luxury hotel in central Rome.

The new coach said he believed players felt the pressure of having missed out on qualification for two World Cups in a row and that was weighing on the team's performance.

"We must be good at reacting, only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation," he said.