Former Olympic champion and six-time world champion, Jonny Brownlee, has announced his retirement from professional triathlon at the age of 36.
The British triathlete enjoyed a decorated career, winning Olympic bronze at London 2012, silver at Rio 2016 and gold in the mixed relay at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Brownlee also claimed six world titles and helped Great Britain win mixed team relay gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Yorkshire-born athlete said he had been considering retirement for some time after achieving more than he ever expected in the sport.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’ve won more than I ever thought I’d ever achieve,” Jonny told BBC Sport.
“One thing I’m really proud of is we full on committed to winning Olympic medals and delivering our best performance. And now I just don’t think I can do that any more.
“It’s over for professional sport, but I don’t think you ever truly stop.”
The arrival of his son Freddie 10 months ago also played a major role in his decision, with Brownlee saying his family had become his priority.
“I don’t think I can have that commitment because of how life is. He’s my priority now, my family, but also with my body as well,” said Brownlee.
“The thought of missing a training session used to be the worst thing in the world, whereas now, if Freddie is ill or needs me, then without question I do that.
“I used to have absolutely no fear with racing. I used to dive into corners on my bike at 60kph and not care.
“If I hit that corner and crash, then I can’t hold Freddie for five to six weeks if I have got a broken wrist. I was asking if that was really worth it any more.”
Looking back on his career, Brownlee identified his Olympic success at London 2012 and competing in front of his home crowd in Leeds in 2016 among his most memorable moments.
“To deliver those medals [in 2012] was something I’m incredibly proud of,” he said.
“The first time racing in Leeds kind of symbolised everything, the whole journey.
“The fact that there was a World Series in Leeds was just unthinkable when we started triathlon, and then to come into the Millennium Square for the first time was one of the proudest moments of my life and something I’ll never forget.”
Brownlee also reflected on the extraordinary moment he shared with his older brother Alistair during the 2016 World Series race in Mexico.
Jonny was leading during the run when he began struggling in the intense heat. Alistair, who was in third position, eventually supported his brother for the final 700 metres and helped him cross the finish line.
Although the incident became one of the most widely remembered moments of their careers, Jonny admitted that he initially found the attention frustrating.
“It really annoyed me at the start. I’ve got multiple Olympic medals, world championships – and that got remembered,” said Brownlee.
“Quite often now people say ‘Which one are you? Are you the one who did the carrying or the one who got carried?’ So yeah, it does grate me a little bit.”
Despite his initial frustration, Brownlee said he had ultimately become proud of what the incident represented.
He also revealed that winning an Olympic gold medal was the final major achievement he wanted before ending his professional career.
Brownlee said he “committed everything” and “used my last bits of energy” to win mixed triathlon gold alongside Jessica Learmonth, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee at Tokyo 2020.
“If I hadn’t won that Olympic gold medal I think there would always be something missing,” he said.
He added that the Tokyo triumph finally allowed him to establish his own identity after years of being compared with his more decorated brother.
“He said winning gold was the moment he was “finally known as Jonny Brownlee, and not as the person who came 10, 15 seconds behind Alistair”.”
Reflecting on his influence on the sport, Brownlee said he was proud of the legacy he and his brother had helped create.
“I’m incredibly proud that we’ve had an impact on the sport,” he said.
“It’s time to move on because I wouldn’t be doing myself justice by doing it half-heartedly any more.”
Although Brownlee has ended his professional career, he insisted that his involvement in triathlon is far from over.
“Although they are saying I’m retiring from professional racing, I’m definitely not stopping the sport. If anything, I’m actually going to race more.”
His brother Alistair, a two-time Olympic champion, retired from professional triathlon at the age of 36 in 2024.
