Team England has selected its triathlon squad which will compete at the next Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, in April 2018.
The squad of 10 athletes across the able bodied and para events will compete for Team England’s first medal of the Games on 5th April.
Reigning Commonwealth champion and double Olympic gold medallist, Alistair Brownlee, will be making his return to the Commonwealth stage in an aim to defend his title. Alistair will compete alongside his brother, Commonwealth gold and silver medallist and two-time world champion, Jonny Brownlee.
Alistair Brownlee said:
“It’s a great honour to be representing Team England. I have had the chance to compete at the Commonwealth Games once before and it’s a big deal for a niche sport like triathlon to compete in a global sporting competition like this. I am looking forward to getting out there on the start line.
“At the moment I am focusing on my training for the next few months to get myself in the best possible shape I can be in for the Games. I have been lucky enough to race there before actually, at the same venue, and I have some good and bad memories of that. But I am just looking forward to being there on one of the biggest stages that you can in triathlon.”
European Paratriathlon champion Jade Jones-Hall competed for Team England in Glasgow 2014 on the track, winning a bronze medal in the T54 1500m event. She will make her triathlon debut for Team England, along with 2017 Paratriathlon World Cup silver medallist, Lizzie Tench. Tom Bishop, Mark Conway, Sophie Coldwell, Jess Learmonth and Joe Townsend will also be competing at their first ever Commonwealth Games.
Lizzie Tench said:
“Being part of the first Commonwealth Games Paratriathlon is going to be really special, and this is my first major games. I’m hugely motivated by the challenge ahead, and excited to be part of Team England.”
Rio 2016 bronze medallist and two-time World Mixed Team champion, Vicky Holland, will be putting on her Team England shirt for the second time after competing in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Team England will send a team of around 600 athletes and staff in what will be England’s largest ever team to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event. The team will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.
Sarah Winckless, Chef de Mission for Commonwealth Games England, said:
“We’re extremely excited to be putting forward some of the world’s best triathletes and look forward to the high level of competition the Commonwealth Games will bring next April.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see Paratriathlon adding to the opportunities for athletes at this Games. Our para athletes join an exciting group of established performers and we look forward to seeing them compete as one team on the Gold Coast. I’m looking forward to supporting these talented athletes as they prepare for their competitions at Southport Broadwater Parklands.”
Team England Triathlon Team Leader, Ian Pyper, said:
“Competition for places was extremely competitive. This is a reflection of the strength and depth of triathletes and paratriathletes in this country, and their desire to challenge for individual and Mixed Relay medals on the Gold Coast next April. We’re obviously delighted to have three Olympic medal winners within our team as well as some big performers from 2017.”
The team in full is as follows:
|
Name |
Event |
Coach |
Date of birth |
Hometown |
Commonwealth Games triathlon experience |
|
Alistair Brownlee |
Triathlon |
Ian Mitchell |
23/4/88 |
Leeds |
Glasgow 2014 individual and mixed team relay gold |
|
Jonny Brownlee |
Triathlon |
Ian Mitchell |
30/4/90 |
Leeds |
Glasgow 2014 individual silver and mixed team relay gold |
|
Tom Bishop |
Triathlon |
Jack Maitland and Liam O’Niell |
09/7/91 |
Derby |
N/A |
|
Mark Conway |
Paratriathlon |
Noe Orozco |
04/7/79 |
Lincoln |
N/A |
|
Joe Townsend |
Paratriathlon |
Ian Thompson |
27/3/88 |
Eastbourne |
N/A |
|
Vicky Holland |
Triathlon |
Rhys Davey |
12/1/86 |
Gloucester |
Glasgow 2014 individual bronze and mixed team relay gold |
|
Jess Learmonth |
Triathlon |
Ray Butters |
18/4/8 |
Leeds |
N/A |
|
Sophie Coldwell |
Triathlon |
Adam Elliott |
25/2/95 |
Nottingham |
N/A |
|
Jade Jones-Hall |
Paratriathlon |
Ian Thompson and Tanni Grey Thompson |
04/1/96 |
Middlesbrough |
N/A – Glasgow 2014 bronze in athletics (T54 1500m) |
|
Lizzie Tench |
Paratriathlon |
John Hampshire |
24/6/74 |
Cheshire |
N/A |