Jonny Brownlee described the feeling as “absolutely amazing” after finally getting that elusive Olympic triathlon gold for Great Britain in Tokyo early on Saturday.
Brownlee, who claimed bronze and silver behind brother Alistair in 2012 and 2016, was part of a sensational team which claimed victory in the first ever mixed relay at the Games.
Jess Learmonth, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee were alongside him as all put in faultless performances as they defeated the United States and France to take top step on the podium.
For Yee and Taylor-Brown, the gold added to the silvers they had already claimed in the individual events earlier this week.
Absolutely amazing – Brownlee
Afterwards Brownlee told BBC Sport: “Olympics – I’ve completed it! It feels absolutely amazing. Third Olympics and to finally walk away with Olympic gold.
“We knew coming into this race there was a lot of pressure on us, we all had to race very well and do everything right, and that’s what we did.
“Well done to everyone but Alex taking over and it seemed like the best position but it’s probably the worst position because all you can do is lose it.
“He kept his cool, kept his head and the two girls were absolutely brilliant – we did everything we possibly could.
I can’t believe it – Learmonth
The 33-year-old Learmonth meanwhile – in typically self-deprecating style – said: “I can’t believe it. I was slightly nervous being in a team with Olympic medallists.”
Former ITU World Champion Non Stanford, acting as an analyst for BBC Sport, added: “To hear those words for those four, Olympic Champion, I have goosebumps. I will struggle to sleep tonight. They are four wonderful people and athletes. I am so happy for them.
“I think that symbolises the last 10 years of British Triathlon. We have worked so hard as a federation to get to this point. I think that has summed it up. Hopefully they have inspired the next generation. Hopefully in Paris and Los Angeles this is a familiar sight.”
Perfectly executed – Cavendish
British Triathlon Performance Director Mike Cavendish meanwhile said all four athletes “executed it perfectly”.
“We planned for a long time for this,” he says. “We felt we had the four best athletes, the challenge was dampening expectations. We are fortunate we have such strength in depth across the board.”
