Kent Sport Physiotherapist Vicky Annis recently supported Team GB triathletes in preparation of their races at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Here’s what Vicky had to say about the experience.
Team GB Triathlon has come away from the Paris Olympic Games having won a medal in all three of the triathlon events. Stellar performances from each of the athletes has given Team GB one gold and two bronze medals.
The men’s race was meant to be the first triathlon race of the Paris Games on Tuesday 30 July. Due to the water quality and speed, this was cancelled. The race was then moved to Wednesday 31 July which was the same day as the women’s race. As you can imagine, this made the day very busy.
We woke at 4am to see if there was confirmation the races would take place. When the message came through that we were all go, we needed to make sure we were dressed for the weather. We needed umbrellas and waterproofs, and at 5am when we left the hotel to head for the race site, it was still dark! Once we were in the athlete warm-up area, each athlete had an individual plan and I am part of a team that helps keep the athletes on time with their preparations. This included small things such as scissors to cut their timing chips to size, tape to secure the timing chips, having dry robes to keep them warm post-swim, and having a positive and calm attitude. With this race, we had an open-water strategy to minimise illness. This included peptobismol and corsodyl mouthwash. I was never alone in my role. Some physiotherapists have worked on a day-to-day basis to get the athletes ready, and the head of performance sport (medical) and doctor were brilliant at communicating with me when we needed help and advice.
The 31 August was an incredible day. If you haven’t seen the finish of the men’s race I would suggest you do. The way Alex Yee came back in the final kilometer to take the lead from Hayden Wilde is truly amazing. I still cannot believe I have witnessed a gold medal win for Great Britain!
In triathlon events, foot health is so important. The individual men’s and women’s races consist of a 1500-metre swim, a 40km cycle, and a 10k run. The chances of suffering from cuts and blisters increases due to the distance and intensity of the sport, coupled with sweat and water. We help the athletes prepare for this pre-race.
The women’s race was also a great race. Beth Potter took the bronze and Georgia Taylor-Brown finished in 6th place. I am so proud of all the athletes. Seeing how much commitment and dedication the athletes put in is very admirable. Not all athletes get to have a race that truly reflects their fitness, but that is all part of the special nature of the Olympics.
After the individual races, it was back to our base to check the athletes were all doing ok. No surprise, there were a few tired and sore athletes! But still, they trained the following day ready for the relay on 5 August. Both swim familiarisations were cancelled in the days leading up to the race so there was still uncertainty on whether the mixed relay would go ahead. Thankfully, at 4am that morning, we got the all-clear and we went again. Great Britain did an amazing job and dictated the race. The German and American teams came back strong in the 4th leg and there was a photo finish at the end of the race. Great Britain eventually took the bronze medal. Throughout the race, I was honestly so nervous. I have been working with triathlon since 2011 and this was when I completed my first ever physiotherapist role at a relay event, so I have certainly completed a few! But this race felt different with the world watching on the biggest stage.
To come away with 3 medals in 3 events is a huge achievement. We have a big team that supports the athletes and it really is a team approach.
Before the individual races, I got to sit on the Pont Alexandre III bridge with a Coke Zero soaking up the incredible location. The bridge itself is historic, plus the spectacular Eiffel Tower was visible in the distance. There may never be a triathlon race here ever again. It was truly once in a lifetime.
Congratulations Team GB and Vicky for supporting the athletes!