Search
shop

Jonny Brownlee – ‘We write people off a bit when they enter their 30s’

Triple Olympic medallist relishing the chance to prove he's still got what it takes as he looks to close in on a spot at Paris 2024.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Jonny Brownlee will look to kickstart a crucial season for his Olympic qualification bid with two races in the space of a week – WTCS Cagliari on 27 May, followed by the European Triathlon Championships.

The three-time Olympic medallist, who struck gold with Team GB in the Mixed Relay in Tokyo, has raced just once so far this season, when seventh to Norway’s Vetle Thorn in the Europe Triathlon Cup Quarteira in late March.

But in his column in the Metro he confirmed: “My first big race of the year will come next month in the World Triathlon Championship Series event in Sardinia and then the European Championships in Madrid will follow that in June.”

Advertisement

‘Paris is not a free hit’

Jonathan Brownlee / Jonny Brownlee - World Triathlon Cup Arzachena 2022
[Photo credit: Janos M. Schmidt / World Triathlon]

Brownlee’s overriding target is a fourth Olympic Games following London 2012 when he won individual bronze, Rio 2016 when he collected the silver and of course Toyko in 2021.

At both London and Rio his brother Alistair claimed gold, but he is now focussing on middle and longer distance and soon makes his seasonal reappearance at the PTO’s European Open on 6 May.

And talking about his current motivation in his Metro column, Jonny said: “I thought so much would change, especially with my brother Alistair now having retired from Olympic triathlon competition, but I am a routine person and thankfully it all feels the same as I try to qualify for next year.

“Going into Tokyo in 2021 I thought ‘this is it, my last shot at an Olympics’ but this time I go in with contentment at what I have achieved so far. I have a little more relaxation about me in training – not loads but enough to make me feel a touch less pressured from the outside.

“Paris is not a free hit but more a chance to go and prove to myself I can still cut it at elite level. Having that mindset is really helping me. I have learnt every session doesn’t have to be perfect. I am a lot more level-headed.”

Generation game

Alex Yee, who was inspired by watching the Brownlee brothers in action at London 2012, is in pole position for Team GB ahead of Paris after beginning his season in perfect style with victory at WTCS Abu Dhabi and he too is on the start list in Italy.

But Brownlee underlined he still has much to offer when he added: “We write people off a bit in elite sport when they enter their 30s but I’m 32 and feeling fit and up for the challenge. Perhaps you feel you have to keep on proving yourself and that drives you on.”

He ended last season by demonstrating exactly that when finishing the Super League Championship campaign on the podium alongside relative youngsters Hayden Wilde and Matt Hauser, who are both 25.

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
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...