JONATHON RIALL

For 10 years, head coach Jonathon Riall has led GB’s paratriathletes to global success. Here’s how…

THE IMPORTANCE OF A TEAM

Andy Lewis’ gold medal was a highlight but the whole Paralympic experience was a culmination of a huge team effort. It was always more about creating a para version of tri that people could get into.

PREPARE FOR EVERY SCENARIO

We’ve become incredibly good at looking after each other and, for Rio, we looked at every possible scenario to make sure little would throw us off. I’m a pretty steady ship and I don’t get too high with the highs, or lows with the lows, and that for me is the easiest way to get through unpredictable environments.

STICK TO THE PLAN

It can’t be underestimated how difficult the Paralympic Games qualification period is for athletes. They have to balance physical demands, training to be in peak condition, travel and competing, and everything the Paralympics brings – from self-imposed pressure to the media attention. So to have nobody fall off the wagon and all sticking to the plan is the thing I’m most proud of.

PREPARE FOR NEW CHALLENGES

After Rio, we planned to start training again in October and it didn’t happen. So we’ve had honest conversations with our athletes to get them motivated again for the next Paralympic journey. Every Games is a different mountain and the challenges aren’t the same. People will have to be cleverer, as we’ve looked at the single-discipline sports and we know there’s room for the performances to rise. We’re not setting the ceiling low.

“We focus on our weakest areas so eventually we’re consistent across the board”

ALICE JENKINS WOMEN’S AGE-GROUPER OF THE YEAR