Search
shop

Alex Yee says ‘Big Blu’ Tokyo burst was ‘superhuman’

Alex Yee described that stunning burst which saw Kristian Blummenfelt beat him to Olympic gold in Tokyo as 'superhuman'.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

When Alex Yee was right in contention early in the run for gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo many fancied him to take the biggest prize of all – but Kristian Blummenfelt ruined the script.

The Norwegian produced an astonishing sustained sprint to pull clear and claim gold for Norway, while Yee had to settle for what was a superb silver at the age of just 23. He would later follow up by taking gold on the Great Britain team in a sensational Mixed Relay victory.

Alex, who had burst onto the Olympic scene by making the Team GB squad with a stunning victory at WTCS Leeds in June, reflected on the race in an interview with The Times this week. He felt there was nothing more he could have given, but instead he was blown away by what ‘Big Blu’ was able to produce at the end of a brutal race in brutal conditions.

“I feel like I got everything out of my body but when he went . . . I was able to respond initially but it was the way he continued to accelerate.

Kristian Blummenfelt Mens Olympic Triathlon Tokyo 2020
Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt wins gold in the men’s triathlon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Advertisement

Alex Yee on Blummenfelt

“Credit to him, it was pretty superhuman. It’s to do with him being able to access all his run potential off the bike. Hats off to him. He does a lot of testing, which is clearly working.” 

Now all eyes turn to Paris in 2024, when Yee will be 26 and hopefully in prime condition to bid for the top step on the podium again. He knows where improvement is needed most if he is to get there.

“Swimming is definitely my weaker discipline. Over the past year it’s been a massive focus here in Loughborough (where Yee is currently training with coach Adam Elliott). Just trying to get closer to that front pack. 

“But I feel I’m getting closer. I’ve made some good progress. I feel like I just need a little bit more time. I’m in the right place now. I’m doing 30km a week of swimming when I used to do 21km. And Adam is able to work with the swimming physios and coaches at Loughborough.” 

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
Jeanne Lehair Beth Potter WTCS Yokohama 2025
From Olympic heartbreak to joy of first WTCS win as emotions flow for Jeanne Lehair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...