The world’s best triathlete, and one of the greatest in history, almost did not make it into the sport.
There are many obstacles to becoming a triathlete, not least that it is the toughest discipline out there. People do not just drift into triathlons.
Once Javier Gomez Noya had chosen to take on this gruelling professional sport, to then be told that he may be unfit for it was especially cruel.
As a 15 year old in 1998 he had settled on triathlons from a vast array of sporting endeavour, but he was then barred from competing internationally a year later.
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Doctors had spotted a cardiac anomaly, which they felt was a serious risk in such an arduous sport.
“My aortic valve was a bit different than normal and some doctors thought I shouldn’t do triathlons,” the Spaniard said.
Gomez, who starts the Ipic World Triathlon Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a strong favourite, missed nearly four years of competition but eventually returned to the sport in November 2003.
“After a lot of research, many doctors submitted I could do the sport without any risk. It was a tough stage in my junior career. I missed a lot of time, but I kept training because I love the sport and I was sure it was no risk to my health,” Gomez said.
He has since become the sport’s leading man – alongside Britain’s Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonathan – and one of its most decorated.
He has been crowned the ITU world champion four times, is an Olympic silver medallist, has won several European titles and 11 World Triathlon series races. He is, as one coach has called him, “an aerobic animal”.
Last year was a stellar year and culminated in Gomez being recognised as the Spanish Sportsperson of the Year.
For a traditionally low-profile sport, it was some boon.
“It was a big deal for me personally, as well as triathlon as a sport,” Gomez said. “It was the first time our sport got such an award and I’m really happy because it helps our sport get bigger in the country.
“People recognise me right now, after many years of being on top. It’s not tennis or soccer, but there are many people getting into it now, there’s more races to take part in.
“When I started 15 years ago it was unknown, but now people are getting into it.”
His rivalry with the Brownlee brothers, which resumes on Sunday with Jonathan, has also acquired a legend.
It was crystallised in 2013, in the finish to the World Triathlon Grand Final in London’s Hyde Park, where Gomez edged out Jonathon to be crowned world champion.
It was an epic sprint finish, among the greatest the sport has seen, with both hurtling through rain and wind over the last 500 metres.
Jonathan kicked a little early, Gomez hung in, biding his time, then, with less than 100m to go on the blue finish carpet, Gomez burst past him.
A race that had built over seven preceding events was in the end decided in the last 100m of this one.
“I never won many sprints in my career, so winning that was just amazing,” Gomez said.
“You do the same sprint the next day, he could’ve won also. It’s like a lottery.
“It’s an amazing rivalry, though, since 2009.
“When they came I was dominating. Alistair came with a whole new different level, but I’m happy I managed to find a way of improving and beating him a few times. That kind of rivalry is great for the sport.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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