Olympic athletics: Gold for Faith Kipyegon and Emmanuel Wanyonyi at Paris 2024

Away from the Stade de France, modern pentathlete Elgendy managed to upgrade his silver medal from Tokyo 2020.

The 24-year-old, whose performances in the final earned him a 17-second head start in the last event, the laser run, said he was happy to top the podium following a testing three years since competing in Japan.

“It means a lot because the last three years that I’ve been competing, I’ve had a lot of struggles and many physical and mental problems with injuries and pain,” he said.

“It’s the only gold medal (for Egypt) in this Olympic Games. I’m so proud to get this medal.”

Earlier on Saturday Egyptian weightlifter Sara Ahmed claimed silver in the women’s 81kg category.

Ahmed, the former world champion in the 76kg weight class who was a flag bearer at the opening ceremony, lifted an impressive 151kg in her second attempt of the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 268kg.

“I wanted to get the gold, but I’m very happy and satisfied that I got the silver,” the 26-year-old said.

“In the future, this experience will make me better and take me to the top.”

Elsewhere, Ivorian taekwondo athlete Cheick Sallah Cisse picked up bronze in the men’s +80kg division.