Road To Paris: Concluding the Olympic Quest
James Edgar, Russell White, and Elizabeth Carr all toed the line at the 2024 World Triathlon Cup Samarkand this weekend. An impressive swim put Edgar in the lead group of eight athletes as they raced out onto the 37.5km bike course. The group held their advantage over the chasers as they entered T2 and
took to the run course. Edgar ultimately finished in 23rd position overall, with White following him home a minute later for 28th.
Edgar can take confidence from his swim and bike performance in Samarkand, and know the running form can be found again. However, the result puts an end to his quest for the New Flag position for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Taking to instagram after the race he said, “[the] Olympic dream for Paris died today. Came in with the tall ask of a Top 4 at the World Cup. Made the breakaway out of the water and put in some serious time into the chase group over the 40km bike but it wasn’t to be on the run. I’ve raced 9 times in the last 13 weeks across 3 continents and the body is well and truly tired. Complete lack of training getting done over that time with only 3 proper run sessions while chasing the points for Paris. The run times went from being 30:30 off the bike in Cuba to 35mins today in Uzbekistan at an almost linear drop over the 9 races. Gave it everything but just wasn’t to be. Time to see what the future holds.”
While the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were always the target, Edgar has secured an impressive 3 podiums and a top 10 across the nine races he has undertaken this season.
In the Women’s race, Carr crossed the line in 19th in her World Cup debut. The result also marks the end of her Paris 2024 ambitions, however, a top 20 in her debut World Cup will no doubt inspire confidence in her abilities as she looks to her international triathlon future.
All three will now shift their focus to the 2024 Asia Triathlon Cup Burabay which takes place on May 25th.
