Tokyo 2020: Jonny Brownlee REFUSED to touch brother Alistair’s Olympic golds and now has one of his own
NEW Olympic champion Jonny Brownlee admitted he wouldn’t touch his brother’s gold medals because he wanted one of his own.
The 31-year-old was part of the four-person team that won the mixed relay triathlon event on Saturday.
Brownlee’s brother Alistair, 33, is a two-time Olympic champion in the triathlon, achieving his medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Hockey star Kate Richardson-Walsh shared the story on Twitter after Brownlee secured his gold in Tokyo.
The 41-year-old wrote: “I remember Jonny Brownlee saying that he didn’t want to touch his brother’s gold medal because he wanted to wait to have one of his own.
“His hard work and perseverance has paid off and now he has the full set. Congratulations to you and the team.”
Brownlee confirmed the tale by retweeting it, commenting: “Haha true story!”
The proud Yorkshireman was joined on the podium after Saturday’s event by Georgia Taylor-Brown, 27, Jessica Learmonth, 33, and Alex Yee, 23.
Taylor-Brown had already picked up a silver in the women’s individual event, while Yee secured the same prize in the men’s category.
Brownlee won a bronze in the men’s triathlon in 2012 and a silver four years later, missing out to his older brother on both occasions.
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And Richardson-Walsh knows exactly what it’s like to upgrade her Olympic medal, winning bronze at London and gold at Rio.
After finally winning gold for himself, Brownlee joked: “Olympics? Completed it.
“It feels absolutely amazing. It’s my third Olympics and I’ve finally got gold.”
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