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Culture

Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee: 'Winning gold is the best I've been as a person'

He won an Olympic gold in the triathlon so it's fair to say his year has had some fairly big highs

Alex Yee

Image: Ezra Shaw / Getty

Making it to Christmas after a busy year can feel like reaching the end of a marathon – of course, for Olympic gold-winning triathlete Alex Yee MBE, that’s pretty close to the truth.

For our My Big Year series, we spoke to Yee about his highs and lows of 2024, from carrying the flag for the closing ceremony in the Paris Olympics, to sadly missing out on Oasis tickets.

Here are Alex Yee’s highlights from the past year, and what he’s looking forward to in 2025.

BIG ISSUE: What has been your standout moment of 2024? 

ALEX YEE: Paris Olympic Gold and the build up to that moment. It is the best I believe I have been as a person, not just athlete and the journey to it makes me very proud. 

Are you more or less hopeful than at the start of 2024? 

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From a personal point of view, more – I have got some exciting plans for next year so I am very positive. From a global point of view, I’m less sure. 

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What do you think the world got right this year? 

The raising of the awareness of issues that will affect future generations, a great example of this is water quality. 

What do you think the world got wrong this year? 

Too much conflict. More peace please! 

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Did you get Oasis tickets? 

No, I did try but not too hard. I will live without them! 

What is your cultural highlight of 2024? 

My chance to carry the flag in the closing ceremony of the Olympics. To be able to meet flag bearers from many different nations and sports and share that experience in front of 80,000 people was very, very special. 

What would your browsing history say about you this year? 

Lots of curiosity but also the world’s current news/status… with a small sprinkle of Crystal Palace’s football scores 

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What’s your biggest failure this year? 

In stressful times I focus very inwardly and bury myself in my job / sport. I spread myself too thin sometimes and end up not dealing with anything well! Sometimes you’ve just got to eat the frog! 

What’s the one conversation you wish you were able to have in 2024? 

We sadly lost my girlfriend’s family dog early this year. I used to do a lot of running with him, particularly over the Covid lockdown which mentally really helped me a lot through that period. I wish I could give him a stroke and a high five to say thanks! 

What is the oddest family Christmas tradition you keep 

I wouldn’t call it odd but some might think so! My brother and I used to ride [their bikes from Lewisham] to Battle, Hastings on Christmas morning to see my grandparents. Last year my brother even ran it. 

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What’s your big issue for 2025? 

Give youngsters a chance to do what they love. Sometimes they don’t know what they’ll love till they’ve had the opportunity to try it. Having sport really allowed me to focus and work on myself at a young age when there are plenty of opportunities to be led astray. 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. This Christmas, you can make a lasting change on a vendor’s life. Buy a magazine from your local vendor in the street every week. If you can’t reach them, buy a Vendor Support Kit.

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