What did Jonny give me for saving him? A shotgun!
BROWNLEE SNR ON THAT ACT OF KINDNESS
ALisTAiR Brownlee hardly needs any help when it comes to blasting holes in his little brother’s sporting dreams. For that reason, Jonny’s recent gift to him might seem a little curious.
it turns out he bought him a shotgun. That was Alistair’s revelation yesterday as he juggled thoughts of their next head-to-head in the Commonwealth Games tomorrow with reflections of their most publicised encounter from the past.
The details, to recap, were that the younger Brownlee was staggering on the brink of unconsciousness in a triathlon in Mexico 19 months ago before the elder slowed right down to help him over the line, sacrificing a first-place finish.
it was a beautiful scene watched around the world and one for which Jonny bought his brother the gun in gratitude, owing to their shared hobby of trap shooting at home in Leeds.
‘He got me the shotgun but more than that he’s just had to be reminded of that race every time we go to buy a cup of tea or lunch,’ Alistair said. ‘Every time i run out of money at the cafe stop on the bike ride, it’s his turn. He says, “surely we’re equal now?” And i say, “Nah, not even close”.
‘The shotgun is because we’re good friends with Peter Wilson (an Olympic champion shooter) and we’ve got a trap in the garden so we do a bit of shooting. i’m better, of course.’
it was spoken with a smile but it’s the recurring theme in this wonderful rivalry between siblings.
The record shows that the elder has collected two Olympic titles in his 29 years and is defending champion here. The younger Brownlee, aged 27, has Olympic silver and bronze medals and was runner-up to Alistair in the Commonwealth Games of 2014. Always a contender and always the bridesmaid.
But Jonny might just have a glimmer of hope in this meeting owing to his brother’s fitness issues, which saw him have hip surgery at the end of 2017 before a calf injury forced him to withdraw from what was meant to be his final warm-up race last month. indeed, Alistair has only raced three triathlons since Rio 2016, owing to his commitments to longer formats and his problems with injury.
When asked if he was fit yesterday, Alistair was less than bold in his assessment, saying: ‘Yes, relatively. i’m all right. i’m definitely going to be on the start line and racing as hard as i can. i haven’t had the perfect build-up but the last few weeks of training have been good and i’m going to be on the start line and absolutely giving it my all.’
Also going against him are concerns about the course and weather, as well as any potential after-effects from his timeconsuming role as flag-bearer at today’s opening ceremony.
He said: ‘it’s definitely not the perfect course — it’s sprint distance so it’s half the distance, and it’s early in the year and potentially hot. All these things are pretty difficult but it’s one of the things that makes sport so interesting.
‘i would definitely have chosen things differently but the preparation has gone all right and there are things in my favour. Having a small field is definitely good because it splits the race up and isolates people. it’s potentially going to be quite windy and tough racing so that’s good as well. As for being flagbearer, it’s a decision i ruminated on for a while. Ordinarily i wouldn’t have done it but it is such a great chance and in all probability my only chance to do it.’
it’s hardly a bullish declaration of intent from an athlete who might well be England’s first gold medallist at the Games. But if history teaches anything, it’s that he is quite handy in a shootout.