Two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee announces his retirement

Two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee has announced his retirement from the sport.

Brownlee won gold in London 2012 before winning again in Rio four years later – becoming the first triathlete in Olympic history to successfully defend his title.

“It’s time to close this chapter,” the 36-year-old wrote in a series of posts explaining his decision on social media.

He said it was a moment he approached with “equal amounts of fear and excitement.”

Sport, he said, had “profoundly shaped” his life, allowing him to fulfill his childhood dream and achieve “far more than I ever dared imagine.”

He said he was “happy and content, excited about what lies ahead.”

“I smile because it happened instead of crying because it’s over (to paraphrase Dr. Seuss),” he wrote.

The Yorkshireman, who was also crowned world champion in 2009 and 2011, competed at elite level alongside his brother Jonny, who is two years his junior.

Jonny took bronze in London and finished just behind Alistair in Brazil.

The following month, Alistair helped his sibling cross the finish line at the Triathlon World Series event in Mexico after he began to wobble in the home stretch.

Jonny was leading the race when his legs gave out, but Alistair, who was in third place at the time, supported him over the final 700m.

He helped Jonny finish second ahead of him.

Responding to his brother’s Instagram post, Jonny thanked him for showing that “a Yorkshire boy eating fish and chips can beat anyone in the world.”

He told his older brother that he was “an inspiration” who “paved a path that many (including me) followed.”

Brownlee said he was now looking forward to “a little slower pace of life, but not too slow.”

“An exciting series of events, challenges and adventures awaits me – things I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the opportunity to tackle yet.”

“For me, sport has always been a personal journey of discovery and I look forward to trying out new challenges. Feel free to make suggestions below.”

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He added: “First of all I have to thank many wonderful people and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.”

“In the coming months, I will share more about my career and the incredible people who have been part of my journey, as well as the new and exciting challenges and projects I would like to take on.”

“I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for your contributions, no matter how small you may think.

“Your support means a lot to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Brownlee has also won the titles of Junior World Champion, U23 World Champion and European Champion.