World and Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee says he is determined to race again this year, despite picking up an injury while competing in his first ever London Marathon last month.
The 27-year-old superstar of British athletics finished his 26.2-mile debut in a highly creditable 14th place with a time of 2:11:08 – but is now paying the price after picking up a ‘small acute overload injury’.
Writing about the injury on his Instagram account, the four-time Olympic medalist admitted to ‘feeling down’ as he first set out on his road to recovery, but has since managed to turn his frustration into positivity by insisting ‘this year isn’t done!’.
Triathlon’s most successful Olympian with two golds, a silver and a bronze to his name, Yee had taken time out of his usual swim/bike/run schedule to fulfil his lifelong dream of running London’s marathon – a challenge he believes will only help him to become an even better all-round competitor.
No stranger to adversity, the 27-year-old has of course already battled back from a career-threatening crash when, aged 19, he suffered broken ribs, cracked vertebrae and a collapsed lung after hitting a bollard and losing consciousness during an ITU Triathlon World Cup event in Cagliari, Italy.
He admits that such a battle has enabled him to put this latest set-back into perspective, and by heeding the words of his hero – martial arts specialist and philosopher Bruce Lee – he is determined to come back stronger.
Alex Yee reveals injury pain
“Post-London I sadly picked up a small acute overload injury,” he said. “Honestly before this I’ve been lucky. Since my crash I’ve been consistent and I believe that’s been one of my super strengths.
“The first few weeks I definitely felt down and had a constant urgency to get back, but recently this has turned to gratitude. A gratitude I can push my body, I’m healthy and an understanding of the opportunity and challenge somebody has given me for myself and to others.
‘This year isn’t done’
“Bruce once said ‘Don’t pray for an easy life pray for the strength to endure a difficult one’
What I think I’m trying to say is, enjoy movement, enjoy challenging yourself and enjoy life. We don’t get a respawn and this year isn’t done! LET’S GET IT X.”
Yee’s Olympic medal haul includes individual gold and mixed relay bronze at Paris in 2024 and mixed relay gold and individual silver at Tokyo in 2020. He also won double gold in both disciplines at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and has won gold, silver and bronze at the World Championships.
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