Words matter. These are the best Alistair Brownlee Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
I knew I wanted to be a professional triathlete, but I didn’t know it was possible until I won the junior champs. My dad said I should give Cambridge a go to see if I could do both, but it was only ever a trial.
Schools are really, really important. It gives you access to every kid in the country. It gives you a massive pool of people to see who might be talented at different sports. It allows kids to try sports. Kids can be inspired all they want, but if they can’t go out and try a sport, then it’s no good.
Whenever we race in London, the noise of the fans gives me goosebumps.
The best thing about having your brother in the same sport as you means you can go out and train together every day, and we can push each other on. That’s something many of our rivals don’t have when training day in day out.
I was bribed into starting swimming with the promise of sweets and by being told that you can win medals. My mum had given me a bag of medals which she had won when she was young, so the idea of winning medals was very exciting.
London 2012 was superb. It was the best triathlon experience in a million years.
It’s better to train for 4-5 hours a week than to do ten hours one week then nothing for two weeks. It helps your body adapt and also maintains your fitness.
We’re proud Yorkshiremen: we grew up fell running, and we still do it whenever we can. I did my first fell race when I was 11. It was a Tuesday night race called the Bunny Run, on a windswept moor above Haworth, and the prize was a chocolate egg.
You shouldn’t eat anything new on race days. Eat simple foods, and ones that you can easily digest.
London 2012 was the toughest time in our relationship but also the best. Things could get fractious – we were both competing for gold – but standing next to my brother on the start line for a home Olympics was so special. I remember saying: ‘Let’s go.’
Triathletes can push themselves quite hard, and I have seen people collapse on a barrier or pass out on a bike.
It’s good to put on some lube under your wetsuit, so I tend to use a lot of baby oil on my arms and legs. It stops you chafing and helps you get your wetsuit off after the swim.
I did my first cross country race when I was about 10 and absolutely loved it. I wasn’t particularly good, so I didn’t just carry on because I was good, but it just really appealed to me.
The great thing about running is that you can get away to your own thoughts and get in a little bubble.
I’m a Conservative. I don’t believe there should be too many rules. There should be lower taxes.
When you train seven days a week, you need good scenery to inspire you.
I wanted to be an endurance athlete from a young age. I remember being in a careers class at school and saying I wanted to be a professional athlete and the teacher replying, ‘You’re not going to make it; it’s not possible.’
I was lucky enough to go to a school which gave flexibility around education and sport. We had a 1-hour, 30-minute lunch break, and were able to train during this time.
I did a term at Cambridge University studying medicine, so I could potentially have followed in Mum and Dad’s footsteps and become a doctor.
Triathlon is a sport where the legacy is obvious. Anyone can do it; there are loads you can do. It is a massive participation sport. You can do it as a challenge, for charity or whatever. I believe it will continue to grow, and I will look forward to that happening.
