JON THE CLUB

Tokyo 2020: Alistair Brownlee backs brother Jonny to keep it in family with Olympic triathlon gold

BIG BROTHER Alistair Brownlee admits he will be very nervous watching his sibling Jonny compete 5,900 miles away.

But the two-time Olympic triathlon champ may be praying his younger brother is not blown off course by a TROPICAL STORM!

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Jonny Brownlee will be cheered on by older brother Alistair - 5,900 miles awayCredit: Getty

The elder Brownlee is not in Japan having failed to qualify for a third straight Games and had left ankle surgery five weeks ago.

Jonny, 31, on the podium in London and Rio, wants gold to maintain an excellent family legacy.

The race starts at 10.30pm because it was brought forward to 6.30am local time to avoid the Tokyo heat.

Alistair, 33, said: “I’ll be really nervous — but also looking forward to watching him.

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“Jonny has a really good chance. He is fit, in great shape, done all the prep he can to the best of his abilities.

“It’s fair to say he is not going in as a favourite like the last two Games but the race is wide open.

“There are no favourites this time. I know Jonny has prepared for it very diligently and couldn’t have done anymore than he has.”

Alistair has no regrets about ending his Olympic career this summer and once recovered he will focus on the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in October in Hawaii.

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If the heat and humidity was not bad enough in Japan, then there is the chance the triathletes will be hit hardest by the effects of Storm Nepartak and its 55mph winds.

This would effect them most in the 1.5km swim in Tokyo Bay and the 40km bike leg.

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Severe weather caused chaos at the 2019 Rugby World Cup with games postponed due to Super Typhoon Hagibis.

The women’s race is on Tuesday morning here at the Odaiba Marine Park, before the first mixed team event takes place next Saturday.

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Organising committee spokesperson Takaya Masa said: “Unlike an earthquake, we’re able to predict the path of a typhoon so we’re able to prepare in advance.

“In the case of rowing, as a preventative measure, we have decided to change the event schedule. Changing the schedule is not a rare event and we understand the burden it’ll have on athletes.

“We’re looking closely at the path of the typhoon to make decisions as preventative measures.

“Should it make land, there could be damage and if that’s going to be the case, we will take responsible measures.

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“At this point in time I cannot offer you exactly what will happen, but we will be paying a close eye to it.”

Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi added: “Competition schedule changes is something that is standard across the Games.

“For both the summer and winter editions, you have to have a very close look at the schedule.”

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE is working with Purple- bricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their Tokyo journey. Visit @Purplebricks UK on Twitter or go to purplebricks.co.uk/team-gb

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Tokyo 2020 round-up at the end of the opening day
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