Gordon Benson never dreamed of becoming a European Games gold medallist growing up – no one did.
The first edition of the Games only took place in 2015, meaning the notion of representing his country at such an event was not even possible for triathlete Benson, who like millions of others longed for Olympic glory as a child.
But the Games’ lack of inches in the history books could do nothing to dent the pride felt by Benson as he crossed the finish line first in Baku and became Team GB’s first-ever European Games gold medallist.
“It was the inaugural event, so no one knew too much about the European Games,” said Benson, who sealed gold amongst a field that included future Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt.
“I just treated it like another triathlon and then the next thing I was on BBC Breakfast the next day. It all felt a bit crazy at the time. It all just blew up overnight.
“Afterwards it felt like very much a big deal but on race day I just tried to treat it like any other race and just enjoy the opportunity.”
It was the race of dreams for Benson, who was competing at his first major Games aged just 21.
He entered the final leg with a lead of over a minute and a half, in part thanks to the work of teammates Tom Bishop and Phil Graves.
That British tactics had been constructed to pave the way for the young Benson was exactly the vote of confidence he needed one year out from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“It was a great opportunity to secure a place for the team over a year out from the Olympics, but also for me it was a massive opportunity,” he reflected.
“British Triathlon said we want to select you as a leader, and we are going to pick two athletes to support you. There has been the use of domestiques in triathlon before but for one athlete to have two purposely supporting them was a great opportunity.
“I was only 21 at the time so it felt like a big deal, I had landed on my feet to be in such a fortunate position.
“That was probably the most effective domestiques have ever been. Tom and Phil set me up perfectly. It wasn’t like I went there with the expectation of winning.
“The win was always a capability but whether it actually came off was about going there and taking our chances and thankfully as a team we pulled it off and it was definitely one of my proudest and most enjoyable racing moments.”
Victory proved the ideal launchpad for Benson to realise his ultimate dream of becoming an Olympian, as he joined Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee as part of the Team GB triumvirate who took on Fort Copacabana.
And while a crash on the bike stage meant his Olympic race in Brazil did not go as planned, his time in Baku still stands as perfect preparation.
“I had been fortunate to represent Team GB before at youth level but to do it at a European Games was a great opportunity,” he added.
“I always really enjoyed the multi-sport dynamic and being on a team and meeting so many amazing individuals in Team GB. To be on that team with certain athletes who have gone on to Olympic medals, world titles really stands out to me and it’s amazing who you can meet.
“At the time I probably didn’t appreciate the magnitude of it but looking back I am glad that I could really enjoy it and have great memories.
“I remember winning and in the same couple of days Jade Jones got a gold. These were athletes I was 18 watching at the London 2012 Olympics and it was amazing to be on the same stage as these people and getting similar results.
“It is very much like a continental Olympics. You are in an athlete's village, you are surrounded by athletes and can see athletes you have always looked up to and respected.
“I would encourage anyone if they had the opportunity to go, not to underestimate this – it is an amazing opportunity.
“Go there, enjoy the experience and get the most out of yourself. If this is the only chance you get to represent Team GB, what an amazing opportunity – but hopefully it will be the first of many for all athletes competing.
“I am proud to have been part of Team GB at the European Games and then again at the Olympics.
“The Olympics is something I dreamed of going to from a young age, something I always wanted to make happen and I was grateful that when the time was right, I could execute and I got there.
“I didn’t have my best race in Rio, but I was proud to be a part of it, proud to be there and once you have been part of Team GB it stays with you forever.”
Sportsbeat 2023