Switzerland's Chiara Leone secured the first gold medal of the day in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions final at the Olympics, setting an Olympic record with a score of 464.4. Despite finishing 31st in the world championships last year, Leone showcased a remarkable improvement to clinch the gold in Paris.
American Sagen Maddalena claimed the silver medal with 463.0 points, while China's Zhang Qiongyue, the reigning world champion, settled for bronze with 452.9 points. This victory marks Switzerland's first gold medal at the Games.
Reflecting on her win, Leone expressed her elation, stating, 'It's just amazing. I don't know what happened on the last shot, but I somehow managed to be almost in the center. It was perfect, and I'm really, really happy right now.' She further added, 'I knew I could win. I wanted a medal. I wanted a piece of the Eiffel Tower in my hands, and winning is just... I can't describe how I feel.'
Leone hinted at a celebratory mood, mentioning, 'We will have a big party tonight. I don't know when or where, but we will celebrate.' The Swiss shooter's remarkable performance and her journey from a lower ranking to claiming Olympic gold serve as an inspiring tale of dedication and perseverance in the world of sports.
