Olympics-Games a step too far, but Brownlee still eyeing role in Tokyo and beyond

FILE PHOTO: British Olympic triathlete and two time gold medallist Alistair Brownlee poses for a photograph near his home in Leeds, Britain, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

LEEDS, England (Reuters) - He had one final push, gave it his all, but a shot at making it a hat-trick of triathlon Olympic gold medals has proven a step too far for Alistair Brownlee. But that does not mean his impact in sport - in Tokyo and beyond - is over yet.

Having focused on long distance triathlon in recent years, Brownlee, who won Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016, had a late change of heart and tried to meet the qualification standard to be part of the Great Britain team this summer in Japan.