British triathlete collapses at test event

London: The first test event for the London Games was overshadowed on Sunday after a British triathlete collapsed with exhaustion.

Soon after Jonathan Brownlee had claimed silver at the Hyde Park Triathlon, there were immediate concerns for the health of his elder brother Alistair after he dramatically fell over the finishing line.

Brownlee senior had been in the leading trio alongside his sibling and eventual winner Javier Gomez of Spain, but then dropped off the pace at an alarming rate.

The 22-year-old, who won all six World Championship Series races going into Hyde Park, worryingly swayed from side to side only yards from the finish line.

He eventually staggered over in 10th before falling into the arms of medical staff who immediately rushed him to the medical tent to receive fluids.

However Heather Williams, performance director of British Triathlon, moved to allay fears about his health and the world champion is expected to make a full recovery. Williams said: "Alistair is fine but exhausted. There is no cause for concern."

Shocking start

For Brownlee junior, his second place finish behind Gomez, who won in a time of one hour, 42 minutes and eight seconds, meant it was the first time he had won a major senior medal.

He said: "I'm shocked. I got to the front at the start of the run and the first lap of the run I thought, what am I doing here?

"Then I came past Alistair, and I was so tired I didn't really notice. I felt sorry for Alistair because he's a great champion but these things happen. Javier was amazing. His surge towards the end of the run was so strong."

Britain's Helen Jenkins, meanwhile, finished on the podium for the second successive year on Saturday.