Search
shop

Mixed relay reaction: Brownlee ecstatic, disbelief for Jess

Reaction from the victorious Great Britain team after the Olympic Games mixed relay triathlon at Tokyo 2020 early on Saturday.
Editor-In-Chief
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

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.”

Graham Shaw
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
Discover more
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
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
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
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...