He may have hung up the tri-suit for good, but as one of the sport’s greats, Javier Gomez is now hoping that some of that star power will rub off on the next generation as he moves into phase two of his career: the pro coach.
Last year was a watershed moment in the history of triathlon, as three of the biggest names in the history of the sport called time on their illustrious careers – five-time Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf, two-time Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee, and five-time world champion Javier Gomez.
Gomez and Brownlee’s departures in particular signalled the end of a golden era for the sport. For the generation who grew up with these titans of tri – this writer included – their absence still smarts. But, as the wise Dr Seuss once said – and as Brownlee paraphrased in his retirement post – ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’
gomez and brownlee sprint to the finish line during a triathlon race
Javier Gomez of Spain (R) and Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain sprint for the finish during the 2012 ITU World triathlon Grand Final in 2012. (Credit : Sandra Mu/Getty Images)
And today we’re positively beaming as Gomez pops up on our screen, speaking to us from Pontevedra, his hometown and base for his newest, and somewhat pressure-filled, project – coaching the Spanish junior tri team to glory at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Gomez remains Spain’s only Olympic triathlon medallist. Alberto Gonzalez Garcia finished eighth in Paris last year, but there’s been no hardware since 2012, when Gomez took silver in between the Brownlee brothers in London’s Hyde Park.
“You know, Spain isn’t the UK or other countries with way more investment in the sport and way more people doing sports,” admits Gomez.