FOR the first time in more than a decade, this month’s Olympic triathlon programme will take place without one of the Brownlee brothers taking to the start line. But while the absence of both Alistair and Jonny might mark the end of a chapter in British Olympic sport, the North Yorkshire siblings will still be in Paris in spirit.

In 2012, Gateshead’s Kate Waugh was a 13-year-old dreaming of being a sporting great. A keen swimmer, cyclist and runner, as well as being a talented hockey player, netballer and gymnast, she wasn’t really sure what discipline to focus on. Then, she watched the Brownlees achieve a historic gold and bronze medal double at the London Olympics, and her mind was made up.

“I learned to ride a bike at a really young age, I was in a swim club from a really young age and I was also in a running club,” said Waugh, who was a pupil at Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School prior to progressing into elite sport. “But I’ve also been really sporty, and I played a lot of netball and hockey as well.

“I did my first triathlon when I was eight, and it was just such a cool feeling combining all the sports together, but for a while, I found it difficult to channel what I really wanted to do.

“It got to a point where I needed to make a choice, and the Brownlees were really inspiring at quite a critical age for me. I was 13 when I watched London 2012, and seeing two brothers from your country dominate across the sport you’re competing in, it’s incredibly inspiring.

“It definitely motivated me to get serious about the sport. Then I was really fortunate growing up in the North-East that triathlon really seemed to take off, off the back of 2012. There was a good thing going for junior triathletes, with a really good North-East junior series, and I was able to compete in that from a young age. I was lucky to get into triathlon when the sport was pretty new, but it was a scene that was really growing.”

Waugh’s breakthrough moment at the world level came when she won the World Under-23s Championships in Abu Dhabi in 2022. More success followed last season, as she finished as runner-up to fellow Briton, Beth Potter, in the World Championships finals, with her performance in the Spanish city of Pontevedra effectively securing her place on the British team for Paris.

“I think I’ve always seen myself as a championship performer,” said Waugh. “I’ve always seen myself as someone who can bring that little bit extra when it comes to the bigger races. I think I’ve shown that throughout my career.

Gateshead's Kate Waugh in action at the Super League Triathlon Championship Series in LondonGateshead's Kate Waugh in action at the Super League Triathlon Championship Series in London (Image: PA)

“When I’m building up towards those big races, in my final two weeks of training, I seem to find that extra boost. I’m really happy with how the build-up to Paris has gone, all that’s left now is for more to get into the right head space for the Games.”

Waugh will compete in the women’s individual event on Wednesday, and will hope her performance secures her a place on the team for next week’s mixed relay, when Britain will start as one of the favourites to win gold.

The triathlon course in Paris is one of the most iconic in Olympic history, with competitors set to swim in the Seine and cycle down the Champs-Elysees before running to the finish line at the Pont Alexandre bridge, with Waugh already having experienced it during a test event.

“It’s going to be an incredibly iconic course,” she said. “There should certainly be some very cool photo opportunities. It’s an Instagram-style course. It’s beautiful, but it’s also challenging. There’s the current in the Seine, that’s a big factor, and then also some cobbles on the bike and run course. I’m glad I got the opportunity to race there last year, and excited about what the Olympics is going to be like.”