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Overcoming adversity has been a central theme in Georgia Taylor-Brown’s journey – whether that’s chasing Olympic gold, or more important matters.<\/b><\/p>\n
The British triathlete was on crutches after injury struck 11 weeks before Tokyo 2020 and, amid the remnants of a tropical storm, a mid-race puncture dashed her hopes of gold.<\/p>\n
Remarkably, Taylor-Brown recovered to achieve silver, and four days later helped Team GB to a historic mixed relay gold. <\/p>\n
But the true extent of the ongoing hardship she faced was yet to surface.<\/p>\n
At home, her long-term partner struggled with mental health issues. That relationship ended in 2022, yet the toll it had taken – emotionally and physically – was still revealing itself.<\/p>\n
In the years since her Tokyo successes the 2020 world champion has continued to encounter setbacks, losing the second half of the 2023 season after tearing her calf. <\/p>\n
But before her bid to qualify for Paris 2024 this weekend, Taylor-Brown is now both injury-free and – most crucially – happy.<\/p>\n
“I think the body has a good way of telling you enough is enough. Getting injured last year was my body’s way of telling me I was still trying to push through and ‘now we are going to stop’,” Taylor-Brown, 30, tells BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“I went through a dark patch at the end of 2022. Racing was difficult because I didn’t want to be there. I hated it. I wanted to lock myself in my room and shut everyone out, but I had a job to do. <\/p>\n
“It was a difficult time. I had been performing well but it got to a point where I couldn’t do it anymore. I didn’t want people to know that was my personal life. When I couldn’t really hide it any more, I had to get help.<\/p>\n
“I had to shut down and fully recover from it all. I have found someone who loves me a lot. I feel like I’m in such a safe, happy place and I’m excited for life, which is a nice thing to be able to say.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n