THERE was little time for double Olympic Games triathlon medallist Georgia Taylor-Brown to savour her triumphs in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old from Droylsden was soon back in competitive action as she enjoyed further successes to add to her mixed relay victory and individual silver.
Georgia was victorious in the Super League, a series of four weekly triathlons in London, Munich, Jersey and Malibu, California.
She finished second in each of the four races but amassed more points than any other competitor.
Georgia, who did better than expected, said: “It was a tough four weeks with lots of travelling and a race each week.
“I came off my bike during the first event in London and was battered, bruised and cut, but just had to get on with it.”
Georgia then completed her year with runners-up spot in the world triathlon championship series event in Abu Dhabi where he was second to Olympic champion Flora Duffy.
That will form part of next year’s series and the only event she did in this series in 2021 as she was injured earlier in the year.
“With the two events in Tokyo, I have had seven races this year, all in a three-month block which is a lot, but I have enjoyed it,” she said.
Georgia, now based in Leeds, was able to reflect on an amazing year, but one which could quite easily have been one of despair rather than delight.
Her place in Tokyo was under threat when she suffered a leg stress fracture only 11 weeks before the Games and was unable to run for six weeks.
Georgia, who feared she would miss out, said: “I was stuck at home on crutches while my rivals were finalising their preparations. I went from training 25 hours each week to doing nothing.
“I then had five weeks to get as fit as I could and was very cautious when I returned to training. I then had to have a fitness test one week before the team left for Tokyo.
“It is hard to predict how bones heal and there were times I definitely thought I would miss out.
“And because of my disrupted preparations, it was a complete surprise to get individual silver, though I knew we had a strong mixed team.”
Georgia added post-Tokyo was challenging, returning to normality after being on such a high.
She said: “You have been working for so many years towards the Olympics and there is suddenly a feeling of emptiness and being lost.
“You are happy and fulfilled but I was aware of what could happen afterwards. I spoke to other athletes and coaches who had been in that position, and they were protective.”
Georgia added post-Tokyo was also an opportunity to do different things, some she may never do again.
There was an appearance on A Question of Sport, invites to theatre performances, the Team GB Ball, Manchester Sports Awards and even a luxury hotel and spa stay.
Georgia, who went to Aldwyn Primary and Fairfield High School, added she occasionally gets recognised such as at the hotel and spar when a couple said: ‘haven’t we seen you on television?’.
As for 2022, Georgia has two major events to look forward to on home soil, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and World Series race in Leeds, her adopted home.
Georgia’s results in Tokyo earned automatic qualification for Birmingham while the Leeds event will be centred on Roundhay Park. It will be a sprint triathlon with a relay the following day.
She said: “I missed Leeds this year because of injury which has hard as it is only 20 minutes from home when I race all over the world.
“Usually triathlon course are pretty flat, but the one in Leeds will be very hilly which will make it interesting.
“I have never raced the Roundhay course which will be tough. But as somebody living in the city, it will be an advantage to see it beforehand and get to know the twists and turns.”
Georgia, who has received funding from UK Sport for the last nine years, has been a full-time athlete for the last six since completing her university studies.
It was hardly surprising Georgia would become a top athlete as her parents were accomplished runners, her dad Darryl on the track at 800m and mum Beverley on the track and cross country.
She is also a current member of Mossley Cycle Racing Team.
She said she was introduced to sport at an early age through family activities and swam from the age of five and later ran for East Cheshire Harriers and Sale Harriers.
Georgia added it was her mother who suggested doing a triathlon at a time when she was struggling to balance swimming training and galas, running training and races and schoolwork.
She went to a trials day to try and get on to Team GB’s Talent Squad, even though she had never done a triathlon before, and won a place and completed her first race aged 16, the start of a journey which would eventually lead to Olympic Games glory.