Post by Peter on Jun 7, 2021 9:16:41 GMT 8
www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/06/alistair-brownlee-disqualified-for-ducking-and-faces-olympic-omission
Alistair Brownlee’s hopes of winning a third successive Olympic title appear to be over after he was disqualified for “ducking” a rival during a World Triathlon Championship Series race in Leeds.
The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent months but was hoping to do enough to secure the second place in the British men’s team alongside his brother Jonny. But after his disqualification he indicated that he would be having ankle surgery rather than trying to go to Tokyo.
Brownlee’s decision came after he was judged to have pushed the American Chase McQueen under the water and disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, although he later insisted it was accidental. Brownlee, who won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, continued to race, and only found out while on the 10km run after finishing the swim and bike section.
Brownlee tweeted: “I’m very embarrassed about being Dq’d. The swim action was completely unintentional and I’ve had worse done to me in every World Series race I’ve ever done. However it is a field of play decision and I chose not to protest it.”
He added: “I’ve known my ankle needs surgery for a little while. My focus will be on getting healthy again and then long distance triathlon in the future.”
Alistair Brownlee’s hopes of winning a third successive Olympic title appear to be over after he was disqualified for “ducking” a rival during a World Triathlon Championship Series race in Leeds.
The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent months but was hoping to do enough to secure the second place in the British men’s team alongside his brother Jonny. But after his disqualification he indicated that he would be having ankle surgery rather than trying to go to Tokyo.
Brownlee’s decision came after he was judged to have pushed the American Chase McQueen under the water and disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct, although he later insisted it was accidental. Brownlee, who won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, continued to race, and only found out while on the 10km run after finishing the swim and bike section.
Brownlee tweeted: “I’m very embarrassed about being Dq’d. The swim action was completely unintentional and I’ve had worse done to me in every World Series race I’ve ever done. However it is a field of play decision and I chose not to protest it.”
He added: “I’ve known my ankle needs surgery for a little while. My focus will be on getting healthy again and then long distance triathlon in the future.”