GUNNING FOR GOLD

Alistair is eyeing more Commomwealth glory

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE may already have one eye on his next sport when he decides to end his career as Britain’s most successful triathlete.

The double Olympic champion, who defends his Commonwealth Games title tomorrow, revealed he is the proud owner of a shotgun.

It was a present from his grateful brother Jonny for famously carrying his exhausted body over the line in an event in Mexico.

Brownlee already has a trap set up at his home in Yorkshire, where the brothers take their triathlon rivalry onto the shooting range.

The pair are getting tips from fellow 2012 Olympic champion Peter Wilson, who retired after the double trap was excluded from the Games but could now go for gold in Tokyo 2020 in the trap.

When asked who is the best marksman out of the highly-competitive siblings, Alistair, 29, said: “Me of course.

“There wasn’t a message on the shotgun, it’s just a nice thing to have, isn’t it? We’re good friends with Peter and we have a trap in the garden and we do a bit of shooting.

“But I’ve done my friendly bit for my brother, so I won’t be helping him halfway around the course here, no.”

Brownlee’s Good Samaritan act at a World Series event 19 months ago brought him as much fame and praise as winning Olympic gold in London and Rio. Younger sibling Jonny was on course for the win that would have seen him crowned champion until heat took its tool. Alistair stopped to put his arms around him before virtually throwing him over the line.

Brownlee, 29, added: “Jonny’s reminded of it every time that we go to buy a cup of tea or lunch. 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’.

Brownlee insists he is fit to gun down his rivals, having pulled out of a triathlon in Abu Dhabi last month to protect a calf problem.

Alistair, who is Team England’s flag bearer at today’s opening ceremony, reckons winning gold has not lost its significance, adding: “It’s got a bit of a different feel about it, but at the end of the day you’re on that start line with 30 other people you want to beat and you want to be on that podium.

“Whether it’s the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics or a cross-country race around your local park, you still want to win that race.

“I haven’t had the perfect build-up but the last few weeks training have been good and I’m going to be on the start line and absolutely giving it my all.

“The Commonwealth still means a lot, I wouldn’t be here otherwise. It’s irrelevant if it’s England or Great Britain, it’s still a big deal.”