New Delhi, September 4 (Daily Kiran) : Olympic and World Triathlon champion Johnny Brownlee has announced his retirement from competitive sports at the age of 36. This decision comes shortly after his brother, Alistair Brownlee, also stepped away from the sport at the same age.
A six-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist in the mixed team event, Brownlee revealed that he had been contemplating this move for some time. In an interview with BBC Sport, he stated, “I have been thinking about this for a while. I have achieved more than I ever thought possible. One thing I am truly proud of is that we completely dedicated ourselves to winning Olympic medals and performing at our best. Now, I don’t think I can do that anymore. While my professional career is over, I don’t think you ever really stop.”
Brownlee earned a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and a silver at the 2016 Rio Games. He finally clinched a gold in the mixed relay at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The birth of his child has provided him with clarity regarding his retirement decision.
“I don’t think I can show that level of dedication anymore because life is different now. My priority is my child and my family, along with my health. In the past, missing a training session felt like the worst thing in the world, but now if Freddy is sick or needs me, I will do that without question,” he explained.
He also expressed concerns about injuries, stating that if he were to get hurt, he wouldn’t be able to hold his 10-month-old son. “I used to fear nothing about racing. I would navigate corners at 60 km/h without a care. But now, if I crash and break my wrist, I wouldn’t be able to hold Freddy for five to six weeks. I find myself questioning whether it’s all still worth it.”
Reflecting on his journey, Brownlee expressed pride in his achievements, especially his medal win in London 2012. He recalled a particularly challenging race in the 2016 World Series Triathlon in Mexico, where he nearly collapsed due to the heat, but his brother helped him finish in second place.
“Winning a medal in 2012 was a source of immense pride for me. Racing in Leeds for the first time symbolized the entire journey. When we started in triathlon, it felt impossible to think about a World Series event in Leeds. Arriving at Millennium Square for the first time was one of the proudest moments of my life, one I will never forget,” he said.
He also mentioned his mixed feelings about a specific race that has often overshadowed his other accomplishments. “Initially, I found it frustrating. I’ve won multiple Olympic medals and World Championships, yet people only remember that one incident. Often, they ask, ‘Are you the one who helped or the one who was helped?’ Yes, that does bother me a bit,” he added.
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