Search
shop

Gwen Jorgensen says “time not on my side” for 2028 Olympics in LA despite “love for triathlon”

Gwen Jorgensen all but rules out a shot at racing a home Olympic Games in 2028.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Having returned to the sport at the beginning of 2023, Gwen Jorgensen has made an impressive rise back to the upper echelons of short course triathlon racing over the last 12 months.

Following a string of victories at the World Triathlon Cup level last season, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallist has put herself in contention to make a second Olympic team this year in Paris.

After stepping away from the sport eight years ago having fallen out of love with triathlon, the American revealed that she has surprised even herself with how much she is now enjoying it.

However, the 37-year-old said that whilst she wasn’t ready to be done with triathlon after this Olympic cycle, plans to try and qualify for a home Olympics in LA in 2028 isn’t on the cards.

“It can be a thankless job”

Speaking with TRI247 ahead of the start of her 2024 season, Jorgensen said that qualifying for a home Olympics in 2028 would be very challenging, especially as she enters the final years of her career.

Gwen Jorgensen WTCS Sunderland 2023 run photo credit World Triathlon / Tommy Zaferes
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Tommy Zaferes]

“I love plans, but I know I can’t plan that far in advance. Sport is hard. You dedicate every hour of the day to it through workouts, recovery, bed time.

“Everything you do impacts performance and it can be a thankless job unless you have a strong mission. My love for triathlon, the training and racing, has been surprising.

“Even in my worst moments this past year I have enjoyed the sport. I am not ready to be done with triathlon yet and we are also not sure we are done growing our family.

“The reality is I would be 42 in 2028 so time is not on my side for athletics to continue forever nor for me to bear children forever.”

Pride in Paris prep

With the culmination of the crucial final stage of qualification for this year’s Olympics drawing closer, we asked Jorgensen how missing out on the Paris Olympics would impact her assessment of her second stint in triathlon.

“I have an entire mission statement that I have shared with those closest to me. My biggest theme is being bold, taking chances, and going after things even when I could be in a vulnerable state.

“This past year I executed being bold in ways that I am proud of and plan to continue on this journey of boldness, among other things.

“My main goal is the Olympics but I cannot control others and can only control how I race and conduct myself.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
Supertri Toronto 2025: How to watch live as Alex Yee makes his triathlon return
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
challenge roth race ranger
Challenge Roth publish RaceRanger anti-drafting data from both pro races in a first for triathlon
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...