End of an era as Brownlee and Learmonth are left out of British Triathlon’s World Class Programme

by Admin
December 15, 2024

Jonny Brownlee and Jess Learmonth – both of whom helped Team GB to that memorable Mixed Team Relay gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – are now no longer part of British Triathlon’s World Class Programme.

After an incredibly successful Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, British Triathlon has announced the athletes it is retaining across both programmes.

The whole Mixed Relay squad from the Paris Olympics, who won bronze after a thrilling three-way sprint, retain their spots.

That’s Olympic and world champion Alex Yee, individual bronze medallist Beth Potter, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Sam Dickinson. It had been thought that Dickinson was moving up in distance after Paris so his name comes as a slight surprise.

Fellow Olympian Kate Waugh is also in the Programme for 2025.

Also retained are Sophie Coldwell, Connor Bentley, Hugo Milner, Olivia Mathias, Jess Fullagar, Sophie Alden, Tilly Anema, Barclay Izzard and Dan Dixon.

Who misses out?

Vicky Holland, who retired after coming fourth at the World Triathlon Championship Finals in October, leaves the programme at the top of her game after an impressive finish to her career which saw her also become 2024 European champion.

And it’s an end of an era too for Jonny Brownlee who also leaves the programme but not the sport of triathlon.

He just missed out on Paris selection this year but has the full set of Olympic medals – bronze at London 2012, silver at Rio 2016 and that Mixed Team relay gold at Tokyo.

He spoke recently about his desire to carry on racing rather than follow older brother Alistair into retirement.

Fellow Olympic gold medallist Jess Learmonth has also not been retained for this year, but will continue to compete at the highest levels of the sport following the birth of her first child.

She’s raced twice since, notching second places at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau and Challenge Barcelona.

Great Britain celebrate winning Mixed Relay triathlon gold at Tokyo 2021 (Photo – World Triathlon).

Leeds centre athlete Jack Willis also misses out.

Chance for the next generation

Mike Cavendish, British Triathlon Performance Director, said: “Our Olympic World Class Programme continues to be just that as we start this next Olympic cycle.

“We are pleased to be able to retain some of the true stars of our sport after an incredible year for Great Britain’s triathletes. We expect 2025 to be a quieter year for many of our athletes, but this provides opportunity for our next generation to make their mark.

“We are also sad to see some of our, and the world’s, most successful triathletes leave the programme for 2025. Vicky has made the decision to retire from the sport as an athlete after returning after to the top of her game following the birth of her daughter.

“And it is the end of an era as Jonny leaves the programme, but hopefully not the sport entirely. He is an absolute legend that transcends our sport and, like Vicky, has inspired so many of our current World Class Programme athletes and those on our talent pathway. We wish them every success going forwards.”

The World Class Programme is funded by UK Sport and the National Lottery and new athletes joining the programme will be announced in spring 2025.

Paralympic World Class Programme

Paris Paralympic Games winners Dave Ellis (men’s PTVI) and guide Luke Pollard, and Meg Richter (women’s PTS4) are retained on the Paralympic programme, as are silver medallist Claire Cashmore and bronze medallists Lauren Steadman (both PTS5) and Hannah Moore (PTS4).

Fellow Paralympians Oscar Kelly (PTVI) and guide Charlie Harding, Henry Urand (PTS3), Finley Jakes (PTS4) and Alison Peasgood (PTVI) and her guide, Brooke Gillies, also remain on the World Class Programme for 2024. Guide Jack Hutchens is also retained.

Dave Ellis Luke Pollard gold PTVI Paralympics Paris 2024 photo credit Petko Beier — The moment Dave Ellis and Luke Pollard won gold in Paris [Photo credit: Petko Beier | World Triathlon]

Leaving the programme are two Paralympians, Michael Taylor (PTS4) and Mel Nicholls (PTWC) and guide Hazel Macleod.

The Paris Games was Michael Taylor’s second Paralympics, and he qualified after finishing on the podium in four of the five races he’s competed in the 2024 season. He started competing in triathlon in 2017 and became the British Champions in his first season. Mel Nicholls made her Paralympics Paratriathlon debut this summer after qualifying for the Games by winning nine international medals in 2023 and 2024.

Due to injury, both Mike Salisbury and George Peasgood have missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign. Both have been retained whilst they continue their recovery, and in the case of Peasgood, British Triathlon are awaiting an opportunity to review his classification for the LA cycle.

And talking through the decisions, Cavendish explained: “Again, we saw massive success with eleven paratriathletes competing in Paris’ Paralympic Games. Alongside the gold, silver and bronze medals, we saw fourth places from Henry Urand, making his Games debut, and Alison Peasgood and her guide, Brooke Gillies.

“Michael and Mel have been pivotal parts of the team this year, but we have to make difficult decisions as we look towards LA. I hope that neither will stop competing and we look forward to seeing what they achieve next in the sporting careers in and outside of triathlon.

The mix of experience and fast-developing athletes is really exciting beginning our journey to LA.

“We have an outstanding squad of athletes to which we expect to be able to add some exciting new talent in the years ahead.”

More announcements to come

While in previous years the World Class Programme has been announced in full, this year retentions and those leaving the programme have been announced first ahead of confirmation of the sport’s investment for the LA cycle.

Mike adds: “We hope to be announcing new additions to the World Class Programme in the spring after funding has been confirmed and we have time to work through our resources and plans for the LA cycle.

“We know how difficult winning Olympic and Paralympic medals is, and so we want to make sure we can effectively invest in both the existing and new athletes to provide them with the support they need to be successful in LA and beyond.

“We continue to be hugely grateful for the support we receive from the National Lottery, and it will be central to the success of the programme as we prepare for the Paralympic and Olympic Games in 2028.”