Bronze-medal winning triathlete Rostyslav Pevtsov has said that he is "happy and proud" to have stood on the podium in front of his home fans at the European Games in Baku.
The Azerbaijani put in one of the quickest runs of the event to clinch third place in on the final lap of the race, which was won by Team GB's Gordon Benson.
The 28-year-old told reporters: "I am so happy and proud but also a bit tired. The competition was hard and very challenging until the last lap. I was very proud and emotional when I received the bronze medal.
"I was thinking and wanting victory, at least to be in top three. I was preparing for this race for more than two years and have only been thinking about being a medallist at these games.
"My coach was excited and hugged me. This is my brightest year of my career so far and now I will fight to develop Azerbaijan's triathlon team for Rio 2016."
Pevtsov is the eighth athlete to win a medal for the host nation.
Sian Cowper
