GB’s Ben Dijkastra takes gold at 2014 Youth Olympics

The triathlon at the Olympic Games in Nanjing delivered a nailbiting finish today (18th August), as GB’s Ben Dijkstra was crowned Youth Olympic Champion in a photo finish from New Zealand’s Daniel Hoy after a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

“I gave it everything and I’m so glad this is the result, it’s amazing,” he said. “I just had to keep on going, none of us were going to give up when there is an Olympic gold medal at stake. So I just had to keep on going and going, and know that the hard work I put in would just pay off. It’s absolutely brilliant. Thanks to my family, my friends who have got me here. The result is just amazing.”

With no rain but high humidity, the men’s race started in slightly cooler temperatures than the women’s yesterday. Dijkstra was initially 25 seconds down after the swim, but bridged up to the lead group along with 16 others on the first lap of the bike, but then had to fight back to the leaders in the run after a slow transition.

Helen Webster Editor, 220 Triathlon

About

Helen has been 220's Editor since July 2013, when she made the switch from marathons to multisport. She's usually found open-water swimming and has competed in several swimruns as well as the ÖtillÖ World Series. Helen is a qualified Level 2 Open-Water Swim Coach focusing on open-water confidence and runs regular workshops at the South West Maritime Academy near Bristol. She is also an RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard trainer/assessor.