With the Beijing Olympics rapidly approaching, many athletes will be still trying to qualify for Team Great Britain and book their ticket to China. It's no different for British triathlete Tim Don, who's trying to make his country's the squad for the third consecutive Olympics. Don, 30, competed at both the Sydney and Athens Olympics but is hoping to improve on his position this year.

“I finished 10th in 2000 and was 17th in 2004, but I am aiming to win Olympic gold this year in Beijing,” Don said. “It is the pinnacle of your sport if you can achieve Olympic gold, and if I do make
it injury-free to Beijing, I will be going all-out for the gold."

Don has had previous success on the international circuit after winning the world championships at Lausanne in 2006 and it is the sensation that the Londoner wants to experience again. “Winning Worlds was absolutely awesome. You do all that training over many years for moments like that.”

The son of ex-Premier League referee Philip, Don has been involved in triathlon for many years and has been hooked on the sport since he was a teenager. “I did my first triathlon when I was 14 at Hampton Open Air Pool," said Don. "I was a lifeguard down there and Thames Turbo Triathlon Club
used the pool for training and racing. So, I was invited to have a go and I really enjoyed it and joined the club.

"Joining Thames Turbo got me serious about triathlon, because with the three disciplines of running, cycling and swimming, I never got bored due to the variety of the training,” he added.

Don’s training routine over the last 15 years has been as intense as the race. “The training load is
less when you are younger but as you get older, your body can cope with more volume, so the amount of training you do increases,” he said. “In the off-season I am training everyday with most days consisting of a short swim, bike session and finally a run. I am also doing weights in the
gym and have regular massages daily to recuperate. When the season is in full flight I will be just keeping my endurance fitness, as I don’t want to tire myself out before an event."

Don’s career has had many highs from being crowned world junior triathlon champion in 1998 to winning regularly on the International Triathlon Union World Cup circuit, but for Don there is only one goal he has his eyes set on: “To win in Beijing will mean the world to me," said Don. "I have been competing in this great enduring sport for over 15 years and to be stood on the podium
in August will make it all feel worth it.”


Steve Chambers is a freelance writer living in Great Britain.