CHATEAUROUX, France, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Francisca Crovetto Chadid of Chile came victorious in women's skeet at Paris 2024, edging Amber Jo Rutter of Britain in the shoot-off of the final here on Sunday.
The two leveled on 55 hits, and went head-to-head in the shoot-off until Rutter's seventh shot, which she believed she made, was called miss, allowing Chile's four-time Olympian Crovetto Chadid to win the first medal for her country at the Paris Olympics, and the only third gold medal in Chile's Olympic history after two from tennis at Athens 2004.
"I still don't believe it. I was so focused on trying to hit every target and pass every step of this final. I think I will realize tomorrow what happened. It will be in my heart and in the heart of my country forever," said Crovetto Chadid, who became Chile's first female Olympic gold medalist.
Despite the controversy, Rutter was happy to have a podium finish, especially in front of her husband and her three-month-old son Tommy.
"That's the way the sport goes. I do truly believe that I did hit that last target, but to come away with the silver medal, it's something I'm so proud of," said the 26-year-old.
"To turn around and then see my son there, and my husband, I can't believe that. He completely surprised me. I had no idea he was coming. So the fact that I was able to celebrate with him and I know Tommy might not remember it, but it's a moment that I'll certainly remember," she added.
Austen Jewell Smith of the United States took the bronze medal in what she said might be her last Olympics, although competing on home soil in Los Angeles looks alluring.
"I have to spend time back in the classroom. That's my No. 1 priority. But I do like the sound of LA, being on home ground. But first things first go back to school, then we'll see," Smith said.
