Brownlees honoured by their former school

The brothers met current and former Bradford Grammar School students during a handicap run around nearby Lister Park before a naming ceremony of the Brownlee Pavilion.

Headmaster Kevin Riley told guests that the brothers embodied Bradford Grammar School’s motto “Hoc Age”: just do it.

He said: “Alistair and Jonny show a wonderful commitment to excellence that started during their time here. They present an image of sport that is wonderful - clean and appropriate – and which represents all that is good in running, cycling and swimming. Our school ethos is excellence, dedication and humility – Alistair and Jonny exemplify that.”

Olympic gold medal winner Alistair attended the school from 1998 to 2006, while his younger brother Jonny, Olympic bronze medallist and the current World Sprint Triathlon Champion, was a pupil from 1998 to 2008. Jonny said: “I loved my time at school and don’t think that I would have been a professional athlete without the support I received here. It is an absolute honour to have the sports pavilion named after us.”

The Brownlee Pavilion houses a permanent exhibition wall of photographs and items of sportswear worn by the brothers.

Designed by architect Andrew Southey, the wall depicts a timeline of Jonny and Alistair’s achievements throughout their school and professional careers.