Leeds Beckett says thank you to retiring triathlon great Alistair Brownlee MBE

21 November 2024

Leeds Beckett University has responded to the retirement of Alistair Brownlee MBE, offering congratulations and best wishes at the end of his glittering athletics career.

The double-gold medalist Olympian and four-time world champion has close ties with Leeds Beckett dating back to his early days when he was coached by Leeds Beckett's former director of sport, Malcolm Brown MBE - who went on to co-found the Leeds Triathlon Centre with fellow Leeds Beckett coach Jack Maitland.

Alistair is also a Leeds Beckett Alumnus, gaining a Master's degree in finance just a year after winning gold in London 2012.

Leeds Beckett awarded Alistair and his brother Jonny honorary doctorates in sports science in 2019.

Both brothers are still regular faces on campus, accessing world-class facilities and coaching.

Pete Mackreth, Dean of Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, said:

"Alistair's achievements are unique - a true pioneer and an incredible champion. He retires leaving a huge legacy for sport, our city and for the many athletes at all levels who have seen him as a role model.

"His success inspired so many others into the sport, while his and his brother's commitment to Leeds attracted the next generation of world-class triathletes to benefit from our city's world-class facilities and coaches, and our region's countryside which lends itself to triathlon training.

"I am sure he will continue to be a fantastic ambassador for sport and the city, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the next stage of his career.

"There's little more to say to Alistair other than a huge 'thank you and good luck' on behalf of everyone at Leeds Beckett."

Dane Mitchell, Alistair's strength and conditioning coach and Leeds Beckett's Strength and Conditioning Services Manager , said:

"It's been an absolute pleasure to help and support Alistair - the greatest of all time. He's taught me so much about champions and training philosophy, which I can use with athletes in every sport.

"The training programmes the Brownlees and their coaches built paved the way for the rest of the world to follow, and so many have followed them to Leeds and then on to world championships and Olympic medals.

"It is great to see a champion retire on their own terms. Alistair is a very smart lad and will no doubt do very well in whatever is next. There will be lots of opportunities coming his way."