Yee aims for world title & latest 'magical moment'

It was one of the most dramatic moments of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

"I've listened to the commentary which said 'he was fooling us all along' - I promise you I wasn't!" Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee tells BBC Sport.

With time running out for the 26-year-old on the banks of the River Seine as rival Hayden Wilde closed in on gold with each passing metre, Yee summoned one final bid to bridge a seemingly insurmountable gap in pursuit of the ultimate prize.

"I didn't know I was going to catch him, if I'm honest," says Yee.

"I knew there was a small chance and it was getting smaller, but I just wanted to give 100% effort to try and make it happen. It was a pretty magical moment and something I'll probably look back on forever and smile."

Less than 12 weeks on, the Briton will this weekend attempt to add a first world title to his Olympic gold when the World Triathlon Championship Finals take place in Andalusia, Spain, live on the BBC.

For a third successive year Yee leads the overall standings before the final race, but the title - decided on a season-long points basis - has so far remained out of reach for the most successful Olympic triathlete in history.

"Because it has been something which has eluded me it would make it so much more special if it does happen," says Yee.

"I guess things which don't come easy to you are things which are really special. This definitely hasn't.

"I've fallen by the wayside a few times and failed. That's OK. But if I can achieve it, it would be really special and complete an amazing year."

Yee has not been afforded much time for reflection since that thrilling sprint finish in Paris, which brought an upgrade on his Tokyo silver and made him the second Briton to win the Olympic men's triathlon title after two-time champion Alistair Brownlee.

Processing Olympic gold and the manner in which it was achieved - overhauling long-time rival Wilde despite trailing by 14 seconds at the start of the final 2.5km run lap - is something he accepts will have to come later.

The Paris whirlwind also brought mixed relay bronze, while Yee was chosen as GB flagbearer alongside gymnast Bryony Page at the closing ceremony.

But he was soon travelling to race in the United States and, although he celebrated another narrow victory over Wilde in Boston, he admits returning to action after the Games was challenging.

"I kind of look back on the Olympics and I can't really comprehend that it was me that did it. I need to stop, look back and have that time to appreciate what has happened," says Yee.

"It was amazing for so many people to come up to me and say that was their moment of the Games. To be able to be somebody's inspiration in that sense is probably one of the most special things about this Olympics.

"But if I'm being honest it has been difficult. You never prepare for what happens afterwards and definitely there is that period after the Games where you feel, not lost, but lacking a little bit of purpose."

That purpose returned in Weihai, China as Yee produced one of his "proudest moments" in dominating the penultimate race of the World Triathlon Championship Series.

Following that performance the Briton said he feels he is "getting close" to becoming "a complete triathlete" after working to improve his swim.

It meant Yee will start Sunday's world final with his title hopes once again in his own hands, a 428-point lead over closest challenger Leo Bergere ensuring a top-six finish will be enough to see him crowned world champion.

But while determined to complete the job this time after taking silver in 2022 before falling short in last year's finale, it is the pursuit of maximising his potential which ultimately continues to drive Yee to greater heights.

"Racing as well as I can at the Olympic distance is always something I have got out of bed to do," says Yee.

"It's about being the best athlete I can be and enjoying that. To chase that perfect race where I swim, bike and run to my full potential, that's what excites me.

"I got close in Weihai and hopefully I can get closer again this weekend."