Brother sacrifices his chance to win the Triathlon World Series in Cozumel to help his exhausted brother cross the finish line.
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Triathlete Jonny Brownlee says he wants to be remembered for his Olympic achievements - and not looking like "a wobbly horse down the finishing line".
Brownlee, 26, won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze in London four years earlier, finishing behind older brother and double gold medallist Alistair, 28, both times.
But Jonny says he will be forever grateful to his brother for carrying him to the line in a dramatic finale to the World Triathlon Series in Mexico.
Jonny was leading the race in Cozumel and on course to win the title but began to struggle from heat exhaustion around 1.5km from the finish.
Temperatures were around 33C during the race, which consists of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
The younger Brownlee brother was treated in hospital after the race before being released to recover at the team hotel.
"Alistair had the chance to win but threw that away to help me out," he said.
"I'll be thankful for the rest of my life. Obviously it takes a very strong and good person to do that," Jonny told BBC Sport.
"Sometimes in sport we talk about winning being the most important thing in the world - and a lot of times it is - but maybe helping a brother out was more important."
http://www.bbc.com/sport/triathlon/37412774
9 Comments
newtboyBeat me by just over an hour.
*promote some brotherly love
siftbotPromoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Monday, September 19th, 2016 3:09pm PDT - promote requested by newtboy.
yellowcsays...So did it end up counting as official? It doesn't mention it in the article.
eric3579"Following an appeal by the Spanish Triathlon Federation to disqualify Jonathan Brownlee for accepting assistance from Alistair Brownlee to finish the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Cozumel, during which Jonathan struggled with heat exhaustion in the final portion of the run, the ITU competition jury unanimously ruled against disqualifying Jonathan. The ITU Competition Jury made this decision in accordance to Appendix K, Rule 7, which states that athletes can receive help from another athlete, Technical Official or Race Official."
http://wts.triathlon.org/news/article/mola_named_the_2016_world_champion
So did it end up counting as official? It doesn't mention it in the article.
yellowcsays...Ah thanks, that's an interesting rule.
There is no benefit to the helper but quite clearly a big benefit to the person being helped. He retained 2nd place in this case which is not insignificant, it seems strange to do that with assistance.
I do like it but it is surprising to learn there is that level of compassion written in to the rules.
"Following an appeal by the Spanish Triathlon Federation to disqualify Jonathan Brownlee for accepting assistance from Alistair Brownlee to finish the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Cozumel, during which Jonathan struggled with heat exhaustion in the final portion of the run, the ITU competition jury unanimously ruled against disqualifying Jonathan. The ITU Competition Jury made this decision in accordance to Appendix K, Rule 7, which states that athletes can receive help from another athlete, Technical Official or Race Official."
http://wts.triathlon.org/news/article/mola_named_the_2016_world_champion
Jinxsays...Quite surprised they allowed that. Don't think you can even share water with another athlete in the Olympics.
dannym3141The Brownlee brothers make me proud to be British.
hazmat22I know that if you didn't have rules like that you would start to see people abusing it for gain, but it does warm the heart to see an actual kind thing done and then allowed at the pro level.
Of course whoever was in 4th wanted to contest it but the guy lost in in the last 1% of the race and he also obviously ran until total collapse, I am glad it was ruled this way!
CaptainObviousQWOP Live action.
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