World Triathlon Championship Series bronze medallist Sophie Coldwell, Sam Dickinson and Gordon Benson have been named as travelling reserves for British Triathlon and will support Team GB in Tokyo.
Coldwell has enjoyed stand out performances in 2021 with a sixth-place finish at the World Triathlon Championship Series Yokohama. She then executed an excellent race in Leeds to secure her first podium finish with a bronze just behind fellow Brit Jess Learmonth.
Both Benson and Dickinson were recently crowned European champions after putting in strong legs at the Europe Triathlon Championships in Kitzbuhel, Austria. This came off the back of Benson securing a sixth-place finish in Lisbon at the World Triathlon Cup while Dickinson secured a 22nd place finish in Leeds at his first World Triathlon Championship Series race.
With three women and two men selected for Team GB, these selections now mean that British Triathlon will be sending four women and four men to Tokyo in preparation for the Olympic Games.
On her role in Japan, Coldwell said: “I’m excited to support the team heading to Tokyo. I’ve grown up watching the Games and was part of the Youth Games in 2013, so now to be able to experience the environment in Tokyo is something I’m really looking forward to.”
After hearing the news, Dickinson said: “I am delighted to support the team in Japan. I’m looking forward to learning everything I can from the environment and with the team. I have enjoyed the year so far, but I think this will be the highlight for me.”
On his selection, Benson said: “I am happy to be named as a reserve for this team. It offers a chance to be involved in the build-up and support the athletes on the team into the Games. I will continue to work hard to be ready if I am needed and called upon.”
British Triathlon Performance Director, Mike Cavendish, said: “I am pleased that we are able to announce such strong athletes to act as a vital support for the team and who I know will be at their best if they are called upon in Tokyo.
“We’ve seen a number of strong performances this year, but I want to congratulate Sophie for her result in Leeds. It was fantastic to see her achieve her first individual podium at that level, and I know that she will only continue going from strength-to-strength.
“It’s been great to see strong performances from both Gordon and Sam this year too. Gordon enjoyed a good race in Lisbon while it was good to see Sam’s potential in Leeds against a strong field. Both were also part of the team that won gold at the European Championships in Kitzbuhel and it was great to see such impressive performances from them both.”
