Search
shop

Gustav Iden: ‘If I wanted the easy way – I could just keep doing IRONMANs.’

Why Paris 2024 over more IRONMAN world titles? Norwegian superstar Gustav Iden explains why he's not taking the 'easy' option.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

It’s been a question on so many lips over the last six months – why is Gustav Iden prioritising next year’s Paris Olympics over defending his IRONMAN World Championship crown?

And the answer has come in engaging and emphatic style in the first of Super League Triathlon’s in-depth ‘Face-To-Face’ interviews.

Advertisement

‘Paris will be my race’

It’s been a slow start to the campaign for the man who is a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion as well as the current IMWC, with a 52nd place in the opening WTCS of the season in Abu Dhabi, then 14th at Europe Triathlon Cup Quarteira and fifth in the Arena Games finale in London.

But just as the progression of those placings suggest, things appear to be moving in the right direction.

And he’s the first to acknowledge: “Right now in my performance, I’m not that confident. Where I’m at now is not where I want to be in Paris.

“But my self belief that I will do well in Paris, that’s high. It’s hard to explain but I have this inner feeling that Paris will be my race.

“Right now I feel like I’m a bit behind the curve, I’m behind the qualifying schedule, I’m behind in my performance but I do have this strong belief about Paris.”

‘Most people online are so stupid’

And looking back to the last [delayed] Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, that’s clearly not a position he wants to repeat.

He said: “Going into Tokyo, Kristian [Blummenfelt] and Casper [Stornes] were beating me on basically every session – the swim, the bike and the run. Especially Kristian, he was so good going into Tokyo, it was hard for me to believe I could beat him. I knew it might be one out of a thousand scenarios that I won that race.”

So why does he think things can change so dramatically next year?

A clue comes when asked whether he could come into the mix when talk turns to triathlon’s GOAT [Greatest Of All Time], it’s a simple but clear response: “I’m out of the discussion until I can really prove myself at short course, but that’s absolutely not why I’m doing short course.

“I want to see if I can be as good in short distance as I think I can. I feel like I have something that I haven’t shown yet and I really want to show it for myself.

“My long-term goal is winning in Paris

“And I’m not the sort of guy who wants to prove the haters wrong but I do of course read the forums and the comments that say you should just stick to long course. But that’s not what I want to do. I want to prove to myself what I can do, so it’s more like an ego thing. I realise that most people don’t understand anything. Most people online, they are so stupid.”

And possibly the line of the whole interview – and one that should highlight how fine the margins are at Olympic distance compared to longer course – is: “If I wanted the easy way out I could just keep on doing IRONMANs and win every single World Championship for the next 15 years.

He did add to that: “Could be a bit exaggerated!”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Tongyeong 2023 run
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen issues last call for scholarship fund for young athletes
Norseman Triathlon 2023 Start
The Norseman 2025: Date, start time and how to follow live for ‘the race that makes athletes cry’
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...