By Milly McEvoy in Paris

Alison Peasgood and her guide Brooke Gillies happily sung ‘The Only Way Is Up’ despite a fourth-place finish in the women’s triathlon at Paris 2024. 

Dunfermline native Peasgood is proof that not all fourth places are the same as she was delighted to deliver such a performance just over a year after giving birth to her first child. 

She and Gillies finished exactly a minute off the podium as Spain’s Susana Rodriguez stormed to gold, beating Francesca Tarantello of Italy by over two minutes. 

“I’m just completely overwhelmed,” Peasgood said, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

“I didn’t think I would be here and be this competitive only a year on from having my son. 

“Give me a whole year and I’ll be fully fit but I’m just so proud of Brooke for supporting me through this. 

“It’s been a rollercoaster, there’s nothing you can compare it to. 

“There are days where you feel amazing, there’s days where you feel awful but ultimately no matter what I do I know Logan is going to want to play with me. He’s here, probably fast asleep somewhere.” 

The Para triathlon at the Paralympics was delayed by a day as the water quality issues that had plagued the Olympics continued. 

However, the water was deemed to be fine in time for a bumper day of triathlon which saw all 11 events take place on one day, as Great Britain won five medals including two golds. 

The swim in the Seine, which features a strong current, is followed by a technical bike course, with Glenrothes native Gillies admitting she tried three different lines on the three laps. 

On the run, Peasgood and Gillies saw Anja Renner extend her lead to claim bronze, but with a decent gap from fifth place, they were able to enjoy the closing stages. 

That included spotting their families, and keeping an eye out for Peasgood’s son Logan, however Peasgood admitted sometimes her family’s support was a hindrance. 

She added: “There was one corner that was really loud, and I think it was my family actually, 

“I was like this is the corner where I actually want to listen to Brooke, shh!” 

The pair have built an incredibly strong bond despite Peasgood taking months away from training due to her pregnancy. 

The bond was tested when she announced her pregnancy to Gillies just a week after the 26-year-old had uprooted her life to Loughborough to train with Peasgood. 

The pair are even closer now, with Logan often joining them as a training buddy, and that bond means that the two finished each other sentences as they looked ahead to what is next. 

As Gillies sung: “The Only Way Is Up.” Peasgood followed excitably with: “No, I’m like hang on a second, if I can get there in a year, where can I go?” 

The final word was left for Gillies who said: “You are going places, I can tell you, I have just got to keep up with her!” 

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for Good Causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk