London Preview: Triathlon
What/Where/When: Triathlon, Hyde Park, August 4 & 7
Triathlon’s origins began in 1920?s France, but it wasn’t until the modern triathlon emerged in the mid-1970?s that the sport finally earned a spot in the Olympic Games. For whatever reason, triathlon didn’t become an Olympic sport until 2000! The sport, consisting of three events (swimming, cycling, and running) is all about stamina and endurance. It’s not about who performs consistently in each event, but rather can stay in the pack and be the first to cross the last finish line.
Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee
In 2012 Great Britain is placing a lot of hope on its triathletes to bring home gold. In men’s triathlon, the Brownlee Brothers are Britain’s biggest hope. Both Alistair Brownleeand Jonathan Brownlee are two of the world’s top ranked triathletes. Their youthful exuberance and mischievous smiles make them two of fans’ favorites, including this fanatic. While Alistair, 24, is older with more of a resume, a recent Achilles injury has set him back, and Jonathan, 22, has come on strong this past year, currently ranked fourth in the world. Their biggest competition? Javier Gomez of Spain, who came in fourth at the 2008 Olympics, and South African Richard Murray, who has come on strong of late. Great Britain also has high hopes for its leading women’s triathlete Helen Jenkins. Jenkins is currently ranked sixth in the world, but is still very much a possible medal contender. In her way to the podium are several triathletes from Down Under: Emma Moffatt and Erin Densham of Australia and Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand. Moffatt won a bronze in 2008, but Hewitt is currently ranked number one. A win for New Zealand would be fantastic, and it would make Kiwis proud. Who to pull for in the women’s event? All of them!