Olympic triathlete and World Champion Beth Potter went back to her roots when she paid a visit to 3rd Bearsden Guides.

Beth – a former member of the Guide unit – shared her inspirational journey from growing up in Bearsden to standing on the Olympic podium at the 2024 Games in Paris.

She spoke fondly about how her time in Girlguiding shaped her character and determination, and reminisced about choosing a Guide camp over an international athletics camp in her teenage years.

Beth’s medal glory

Beth won two bronze medals at the 2024 Games – one in the women’s individual triathlon and another in the mixed relay event. She clinched the world champion title in the World Triathlon Championship Series in Spain in 2023, and picked up a bronze in 2022’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Guides quizzed Beth on whether winning the World Championship or an Olympic medal was her greatest achievement. She responded that winning bronze at the Olympics was particularly special, as it had been her dream since childhood.

Captivating stories

Victoria Beattie, unit leader, said: “It was brilliant having Beth back at our Guide unit. The Guides were captivated by her stories and had lots of questions about the Olympics, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

“Beth was fantastic with the girls. She spoke openly about her successes and challenges, inspiring them to dream big and work hard. Seeing someone who started where they are now achieve such amazing things is incredibly motivating for them.”