TRI IT
Meet Alex Yee: Triathlete hoping to continue British dominance at Paris 2024 Olympics
Alex Yee competed in his first World Cup race just a week before sitting his A-levels
ALEX YEE was the first male athlete selected to represent Team GB at the 2024 Olympics.
As he prepares to compete in the much anticipated triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, we take a look at what we know about the young athlete so far.
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Who is Alex Yee?
British triathlete and distance runner Alex Yee was born on February 18, 1998, and grew in Lewisham, London.
In 2017, at just 19 years old, and a week before resitting his A-levels, Alex competed in his first World Cup race in Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy.
In a high-speed race Alex came off his bike and collided with a concrete bollard and suffered broken ribs, vertebrae and a collapsed lung.
Unperturbed by the accident, the South London star recovered and continued to push for Olympic success.
He never got round to sit his re-takes but got a place at Leeds Beckett University where he studied Sport and Exercise Science.
In 2019, featured in the gold medal-winning relay team in the World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships in Nottingham, along with Georgia Taylor-Brown, Ben Dijkstra, and Sophie Coldwell.
Two years later he won a sensational gold medal in the first-ever Olympic triathlon mixed relay at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
He picked up silver in the individual event.
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At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Yee bagged two golds, in the men's and team events.
Alex booked his place on the start line at the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning the test event in August 2023.
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What sport will Alex Yee be competing in at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The double Olympic medallist will be representing Team GB alongside Beth Potter, Georgia Taylor-Brown, Sam Dickinson and Kate Waugh in the triathlon.
The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games will be France's biggest-ever sporting event.
The Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, with the Olympic triathlon course in the heart of Paris at Pont Alexandre III.
This summer will see three days of triathlon at the Olympics.
It’s special to be able to race with your teammates because even though people think it’s a very individual sport, we train and work so hard together, so it’s nice to be able to share that experience
Alex Yee
The men's event is on July 30, with the women's race the next day.
The mixed relay is scheduled for early morning on August 5.
Relishing the prospect of racing in the City of Light, Alex said: “It’s such an iconic venue that we’re racing at and we’re so lucky to be able to swim in the Seine and ride up the Champs-Elysees, which I’ve grown up dreaming about racing.
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“To actually be able to do it is really special.”
As Alex has every faith in his fellow Olympic team.
He said: “We always seem to find a new level when it comes to racing as a team.
“It’s special to be able to race with your teammates because even though people think it’s a very individual sport, we train and work so hard together, so it’s nice to be able to share that experience."
He added: “Tokyo was received so well, almost better than the individuals, so it was really special to be a part of and it helps when there is some Team GB success.
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“Our strength lies with our female athletes and we have such a plethora of them that we’re in a strong position.
“I think it’ll be one of the blue-ribbon events of the Olympics and hopefully we can be a part of that.”
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What is the triathlon?
TEAM GB has had HUGE success in the triathlon at the Olympics.
Ahead of Paris 2024, they have won eight medals in the event since its debut in 2000.
But what are the disciplines and distances in the popular Olympic sport?
SWIM: The Olympic race begins with a 1500 metre swim. This takes place in open water, with competitors wearing swimming caps and goggles. Swimmers can use any stroke except backstroke, but at Olympic level all opt for freestyle.
CYCLE: Next comes the 40km bike ride. Before they head out on their bikes, the athletes must remove their goggles and caps in the transition zone. If they fail to do this in the zone then they will receive a penalty. Wetsuits have been developed so they do not need to be removed after the swim but can be worn for the cycle and run. Shoes are already attached to the bike pedals to save time. Cycling helmets must be worn and securely fastened before the competitor touches the bike. The racer then runs with their bike to exit the transition zone. If they mount their bike before leaving the area they can be penalised or even disqualified.
RUN: After the bike ride the competitor must correctly leave their bike in the transition zone before heading out on the 10km run. They must dismount before entering the area. Once in the zone they must remove their helmet and place it in the correct box, while also putting on their running shoes before leaving the area. The 10km race is the last part of the three-part race with the first over the line being the winner.
PENALTY BOX: Athletes can pick up penalties if they break the rules on the course. This can include deliberately impeding another competitor or cycling too close. During the relay, penalties can be handed out for faulty changeovers. Athletes serve their penalty by entering the penalty box for the required time. They must do this before finishing the race.
Distances in the Olympic mixed relay event are slightly shorter. Each of the four teammates must swim 300 metres, cycle for 6.8km, and run 2km.