Olympic champion Alex Yee has declared that triathlon has evolved from a niche activity he once felt reluctant to discuss into a mainstream movement that is inspiring thousands to participate. The 2020 Tokyo gold medalist, who now shares his training journey with over 225,000 Instagram followers, will be joined by thousands of amateur athletes at the London T100 Triathlon on 25-26 July.
From Niche to Mainstream
Yee recalled feeling shy about 'running around London in tiny shorts' and never considered sharing his triathlon exploits. Now, he documents his every move on social media and has witnessed firsthand the sport's surge in participation, partly driven by influencers such as Hugo Fry and Russ Cook, aka Hardest Geezer, who ran the length of Africa in 2024.
“I love it,” said Yee. “My school friends have started messaging me to say they’re doing triathlon for the first time, or that they've done their first triathlon. I guess they have an appreciation for what I do now! But they've also found it really self-fulfilling.”
Personal Rewards
Yee expressed that seeing people take up the sport has been deeply rewarding. “Back in the day, triathlon was something I wasn't embarrassed to share, but it was something I never considered sharing. People didn't really understand. Now, to see people taking part in running events or doing triathlons for the first time feels really nice. They're able to share in what I fell in love with.”
He added: “From something where I used to be a bit shy about wearing my tight shorts and running around the streets in London, to it now being celebrated, that's only a good thing. And it’s nice to have played a small part in inspiring people.”
London T100 Triathlon Weekend
The World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) returns to London for the first time in 11 years as part of the third London T100 Triathlon weekend. The event, widely seen as triathlon’s version of the London Marathon, will feature the world’s best triathletes alongside 5,300 amateurs. Notable participants include former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw and Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Julian Caillon.
Yee, who is set to make his first Diamond League appearance since 2019 in the 5000m in Monaco next month, will race around his home city. “I'm a London boy,” said Yee, who hails from Lewisham. “I grew up looking at the skyline that we'll be racing around.”
Historic London Marathon Moments
Yee has relished his recent London Marathon experiences, having set the second-fastest time ever by a Brit, behind only Sir Mo Farah, in 2025. This year, he acted as a pacer during a race where Sabastian Sawe won in a world record time of 1:59:30. “It was very special to be part of a historic day,” said Yee. “It was a pretty surreal day to see those times come through. I had a blast doing it.”
Looking Ahead to LA 2028
The WTCS London event offers qualification points for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, presenting Yee with a unique opportunity. “For me now, the next two years are all about trying to be the best person I can be in 2028 and hopefully deliver in Los Angeles,” he said.
Yee reflected on the significance of racing in London: “I look at lots of different moments in my career, like my successes, but being able to race in places that had such a defining impact on me – such as the London Olympics and other World Championship events held in London – means a lot.”
Watch British stars, including Alex Yee, Beth Potter, and Georgia Taylor-Brown, race the WTCS London on Saturday 25 July, with Olympic qualifying points on the line. The elite women start at 1430 and elite men go at 1615, with live coverage on Triathlonlive.tv and TNT Sports in the UK.
