It is impossible not to feel the butterflies in your stomach: the long and winding Road To Paris leads directly, inexorably to this crucible. Through the Middle East, South America, Asia and Europe they have travelled; racking up points, having adventures, occasionally getting hurt. It all came to a head, here, today: the Place de la Concorde in central Paris, at the heart of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The 22 women representing every inhabited continent on earth had assembled for one final showdown in Skateboard Park.

The course is a behemoth, its pastel hues disguising the swooping bends and sheer edifices of a skatepark designed strictly for elite riders only. A crucible also requires heat, and Paris has delivered that in spades over the past days. Can this really be the same city that experienced the deluge during the opening ceremony a matter of days ago?

In a contest which will live long in the history of the sport- and one that took place in front of a global television audience of millions- 14-year-old Australian Arisa Trew came from behind with her last run of the day to secure gold, having won both Olympic qualifier contests to get here.

Erstwhile leader, Japan’s Cocona Hiraki momentarily found herself bumped down into third by a courageous performance from injured Briton Sky Brown before pipping her for second with the last run of the day.

The 6,400 capacity stadium was packed in a giddy riot of colour and noise, as women’s skateboarding set a new international benchmark here in Paris this evening.