Double Olympic medallist Alex Yee is confident he can eclipse his dazzling debut Games performance this summer at Paris 2024.
Loughborough-based Yee, 25, was named as Team GB’s first male triathlete for Paris back in November, forming an already formidable looking team alongside world champion Beth Potter.
Yee sprung onto the scene late in the last Olympic cycle, but with his place on the start line secured months in advance this time round, prior preparation is the key to bettering the silver and gold he picked up in Tokyo.
“I’ve matured in day-to-day life and it’s almost bizarre to look back as a young 23-year-old thinking, 'what am I doing in this scenario,'” said Yee.
“Getting into that so late was special, but I maybe didn’t have the time to prepare as best as I can.
“To now have the confidence and preparation period is really special and can hopefully allow me to be better day by day.”
Yee reaffirmed his status as the one to beat in Paris when blitzing the test event in August 2023, securing a quota spot for Team GB a year on from becoming Commonwealth Games champion.
But the humble Lewisham-born star is not feeling the pressure and is instead relishing the prospect of fulfilling a childhood dream by racing in the City of Lights.
“The most pressure I had was that people were booking their accommodation early to come and see me, so it’s a bit of a relief to qualify in that sense,” he said.
“I’d like to think that triathlon is hopefully going to have one of the moments of the Games.
“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.
“To actually be able to do it is really special.”
And while Yee has set his sights on going one better in the individual race, he is in no mood to relinquish his mixed relay title, predicting the event to rank among the Games’ greatest spectacles.
“We always seem to find a new level when it comes to racing as a team,” said Yee.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Sportsbeat 2024