Yzabelle Bostyn
AN expat athlete has helped Spain to secure their first gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Expat Florian Johannes Trittel Paul, originally from Switzerland, won Spain’s first gold medal in the 49er sailing category Medal Race.
The 30-year-old competed alongside Spaniard Diego Botin this Friday.
Together, the pair led the Marseille Marina race the whole way desìte strong competition.
The race was originally scheduled for Thursday but was postponed due to a lack of wind.
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Their direct rivals for gold were the Irish team as well as competitors from New Zealand and Ecuador.
It is the fifth medal for Spain this Olympics, alongside Maria Perez’s silver in the 20km race walking, Alvaro Martin’s bronze in race walking, Pau Echaniz’s bronze in slalom canoeing and Fran Garrigo’s 60kg judo bronze.
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Paul has previously competed in the Nacra 17 event at the Summer Olympics, where his team placed 7th.
He was inspired to sail by his dad and grandfather, both keen on the water and began his sailing career in Spain.
Paul is one of four athletes with expat roots competing at the olympics as part of Spain’s 382 strong squad.
