I knew I wanted to be a professional triathlete, but I didn't know it was possible until I won the junior champs. My dad said I should give Cambridge a go to see if I could do both, but it was only ever a trial. Alistair Brownlee cambridgechampdad share on social
You shouldn't eat anything new on race days. Eat simple foods, and ones that you can easily digest. Alistair Brownlee daydigesteasily Change image and share on social
I don't know whether endurance sports attract obsessional people, or training for endurance sports makes people obsessional... it's the chicken and the egg. Alistair Brownlee attractchickenegg Change image and share on social
I was lucky enough to go to a school which gave flexibility around education and sport. We had a 1-hour, 30-minute lunch break, and were able to train during this time. Alistair Brownlee breakeducationflexibility Change image and share on social
London 2012 was the toughest time in our relationship but also the best. Things could get fractious - we were both competing for gold - but standing next to my brother on the start line for a home Olympics was so special. I remember saying: 'Let's go.' Alistair Brownlee brothercompetefractious share on social
The best thing about having your brother in the same sport as you means you can go out and train together every day, and we can push each other on. That's something many of our rivals don't have when training day in day out. Alistair Brownlee brotherdaymean share on social
Schools are really, really important. It gives you access to every kid in the country. It gives you a massive pool of people to see who might be talented at different sports. It allows kids to try sports. Kids can be inspired all they want, but if they can't go out and try a sport, then it's no good. Alistair Brownlee accesscountrygood share on social
Rio was always going to be on the schedule for me, whether I had won in London or not. Triathlon is one of those sports where the Olympics is always the most important and the most interesting race, and I always wanted to have a crack at Rio and defend my title. Alistair Brownlee crackdefendimportant share on social
I was bribed into starting swimming with the promise of sweets and by being told that you can win medals. My mum had given me a bag of medals which she had won when she was young, so the idea of winning medals was very exciting. Alistair Brownlee bagbribeexcit share on social