Javier Gomez: Could 2016 have been his year?

When Javier Gomez broke his arm in training last month it meant the triathlon world would be denied another Gomez/Brownlee Olympic showdown, and triathlon fans all over the world felt for the Spaniard. Gomez won the test event last year and would have started favourite… and at 33 Rio would likely have been his last attempt at Olympic glory.

Very sad news. You want the best athletes in the biggest races. It won’t be the same without @Jgomeznoya https://t.co/Livb3MJWk5

— Jonathan Brownlee (@jonny_brownlee) 14 July 2016

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Fortunately he is recovering well and will be back…

Gracias a todos los que preguntáis cómo va mi recuperación. La doctora Luísa Ibáñez hizo un gran trabajo y ya sin cabestrillo, trabajando en la rehabilitación mañana y tarde (aprovechando ratos para disfrutar de la playa, como en la foto). / Thanks everyone for asking how my recovery is going! Dr Luísa Ibáñez did a great job. I don’t have a sling anymore, working on my rehab twice a day, and enjoying the Galician beaches!

A photo posted by Javier Gómez Noya (@jgomeznoya) on Aug 13, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

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Javier Gomez stats

Age 33

Lives Pontevedra, Spain

Weight: 69 kg

Height: 178 cm

Top spot on the Olympic podium is all that’s eluded the golden boy from Pontevedra. As favourite in 2008, he finished fourth, in London four years ago he was outstripped by an imperious Alistair Brownlee and took silver, so Rio represents surely a final bid before making the inevitable jump to long distance. Injury means he’s been seen sparingly this season, but a comfortable win at the Euros in Lisbon is ominous. Gomez, who clinched a third consecutive world title last season and eased to a comprehensive victory in last year’s Test Event, will start favourite, but is there still enough speed in those 33-year-old legs to clinch glory?

2016 SEASON TO DATE

4th, Leeds WTS

1st, European Tri Champs, Lisbon

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

5 x ITU World Champion

2014 Ironman 70.3 World Champion

2012 Olympic silver medallist

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The 220 Triathlon team is made up of vastly experienced athletes, sports journalists, kit reviewers and coaches. In short, what we don't know about multisport frankly isn't worth knowing! Saying that, we love expanding our sporting knowledge and increasing our expertise in this phenomenal sport.