Bond of brothers hailed as
Yorkshire adds to its tally

On another day of breathtaking triumph, the Brownlee brothers from Leeds raced to glory in the triathlon and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy became the country’s successful Olympian of all-time.

Team GB’s equestrian team also rode away with gold in the dressage and the new star of British women’s cycling, Laura Trott, won her second gold of the Games at the age of just 20.

The achievements of triathletes Alistair Brownlee and his brother Jonathan, who won gold and bronze respectively, represented yet another triumph for Yorkshire after a glittering run of Olympic medals for the county.

The gold for Alistair took Yorkshire to tenth in the medal rankings. Competitors from the county have now won five golds, representing almost a quarter of Team GB’s total gold haul, plus two silvers and three bronzes.

Describing his feelings after winning, Alistair Brownlee said: “To get two of us, two brothers, two British brothers, on the podium is absolutely... you couldn’t ask for any more.”

Lord mayor of Leeds Ann Castle said the pair were perfect ambassadors for the city, which would host a celebration in their honour.

“We have just seen what must be one of the greatest successes in the history of sport in Leeds,” she said. “What Alistair and Jonathan have achieved today is phenomenal. For two brothers to win gold and bronze in such a gruelling event like the triathlon in their home Olympic Games is absolutely amazing.

Great Britain now has 22 gold medals – three more than the total won at the 2008 Beijing Games and the biggest tally since 1908.

The 22nd, won last night in the velodrome, also represented another slice of personal history for Sir Chris Hoy, whose sixth gold medal meant he surpassed Sir Steve Redgrave to become Britain’s most successful Olympian.

Sir Chris cycled around the velodrome draped in the Union Flag as the audience, which included Prince Harry, raised the roof at his victory.

The Scot said: “I am in shock. This is just surreal.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed the nation’s record medal haul.

“This has really turned into a golden summer for Team GB and for the whole of the UK,” he said. “Our athletes, both individually and as a team, can be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

“We have shown the world the best face of Britain,” he added.