Search
shop

Javier Gomez fighting COVID, will miss IRONMAN WC in St George

Spanish star hit hard by pandemic
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Spanish great Javier Gomez is battling COVID-19 and will miss the upcoming IRONMAN World Championship in St George.

The 39-year-old two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion revealed in an Instagram post that after two years of ‘dodging’ the virus, it had finally caught up with him.

Understandably Gomez, who says he has been hit quite hard by COVID, is “really gutted” and hoping to recover in time to race over the full distance this summer before making a Kona bid in October.

Advertisement

Gomez on COVID woe

He said: “Today I should already be in St George, that was the plan. However, the reality is quite different and unfortunately I’m in bed at the moment, with Covid.

“I managed to dodge the virus for two years but it eventually caught me. And even though I’m fully vaccinated, it’s hitting me quite hard, with high temperature, headache, sore throat, achy muscles…

“So in this situation, racing at the Ironman World Championships in two weeks wouldn’t be either realistic or responsible.”

Gomez had gone all in on preparation for St George, in a bid to prove he could be elite over the Ironman distance. For now, all those months of training were for nothing.

Javier holds out Kona hope

“I’m really gutted, as I had trained really well for months, away from home and putting all my effort to show my best version as a long distance athlete in St George,” he explained.

“I’m surprised with what I was able to do in training, but it looks like that racing is going to have to wait. Now I have to focus on recovery and then reset goals.

“Luckily there’s another World Championship in October and I hope to be able to race another big Ironman in the summer.”

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
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
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!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
‘The more co-operation the better’ – Challenge Roth chief welcomes IRONMAN CEO’s visit
joe-skipper-kona-2022-bike
Joe Skipper says his Challenge Roth experience proves just how high the bar now is in triathlon
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Anne Haug on inspiration ahead of comeback, sub-eight and no intention of retiring just yet
Caroline Pohle Ironman 70.3 Zell Am See 2024
CHAOS as Lena Meissner wins amazing sprint finish to become 70.3 European Champion and is then DEMOTED
Alistair Brownlee Nathan Edmondson Oxenhope Straw Race 2025
Olympic legend Alistair Brownlee dons Trump costume and downs pints in fundraising Oxenhope Straw Race
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...