Paris 2024: Team GB's Sam Dickinson on sacrificing himself to help friend Alex Yee 'achieve dream' of Olympic gold

Team GB’s Sam Dickinson sacrificed his own chances of glory to help Alex Yee win gold in the men’s triathlon at Paris 2024. The 27-year-old set a ferocious pace on the bike leg before piloting his team-mate into the second and final transition in the lead. He said abandoning during the run was "one of the hardest things" he’s ever done, but aiding Yee’s win was "pretty special."

‘Pretty special for me too’ – Dickinson revels in ‘hardest’ sacrifice that helped Yee to gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

While Alex Yee claimed Great Britain’s first gold medal of what has been dubbed ‘Wonderful Wednesday’ in the men’s triathlon, his victory was something of a team effort.

The 26-year-old was aiming to upgrade his silver medal from Tokyo 2020 on the banks of the Seine after a delayed start to the event.

And he had a secret weapon up his tri-suit’s sleeves - GB team-mate Sam Dickinson.

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The pair clearly had a race plan that would get Yee onto the top spot of the podium and it came to the fore during the bike leg.

After battling back to catch the race leaders, Dickinson chased down any attempted breaks, ensuring Yee was one of the first to enter the transition for T2.

He would then bury himself on the run, piloting Yee into first before peeling away to the side of the course - preserving his legs for the mixed relay on Monday, August 5.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

“We lived together for two-three years. We’ve worked hard together day in, day out. This guy has got me out of bed many times. I hope I’ve got him out of bed a few times as well,” said Yee to Eurosport after the race.

“I’m so proud of him. We’re going to share a relay team later and we’re going to give it hell for each other.”

When asked what it meant to get Yee his gold, Dickinson said: “Alex is special. Alex won, I didn’t win, and stepping off the course is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

“But today’s not about me and helping a mate achieve his dream is pretty special for me too.”

Yee will now attempt to return the favour and help Dickinson win his own gold medal in Monday’s mixed relay.

The pair will be joined by Beth Potter, who secured bronze in the women’s triathlon earlier today.

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