Tokyo Paralympics 2021: Family affair for triathlete who’s fuelled by cornflakes

The 25-year-old told of the bond he has with fellow competitor Alison Peasgood
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Paralympian George Peasgood won’t be lacking support when he bids for glory at the Tokyo Games with his sister-in-law among a “big family” of British triathletes urging each other on.

The 25-year-old told of the bond he has with fellow competitor Alison Peasgood, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. He said it was “really nice” that they are competing in their respective men’s and women’s events.

Team GB will be represented by about 200 athletes at the Paralympics, which kick off with Tuesday’s opening ceremony.

Peasgood, from Saffron Walden, said of his sister-in-law Alison: “She is someone I have had a bond with for some time, so it is always good to have her. But the whole triathlon team is a big family. We love to come together for these events.”

For Peasgood, who had an accident aged two that damaged his left foot and ankle, sport has always been in his blood. “I grew up with my mum and dad being really sporty,” he said. “They both did marathons. I grew up with my mum going away for her birthday to do a marathon, I mean that is not normal is it? My cousins do triathlon, it’s in my family. We’re a pretty competitive bunch.”

Peasgood is also competing in the bike road race and time trial events, but says the triathlon is his main focus for a medal — inspired by the success of the Team GB Olympic triathlon team, who brought two silvers and a gold back from Tokyo.

2016 Rio Paralympics - Day 3
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He said: “We all stayed up and watched it. We got a huge buzz from it. We believe we are one of the best teams going, and we saw what success that brought the guys in the Olympics.” Peasgood has a simple breakfast routine ahead of race day. “Cornflakes. Or the frosted ones, they have a bit more sugar in them to get you a bit more pumped.”

He added: “Rice and rice pudding are what a lot of people have before a race, even if it’s early [in the morning when they start]. Some bring out rice cookers, I do have rice in the bag but that is more for emergency meals. Now you know, it’s what fuels triathletes.”

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