Alistair Brownlee sets sights on double gold at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Alistair Brownlee says the lure of winning double gold in Tokyo could see him race on in Olympic triathlon to 2020.

The two-time Olympic champion has been toying with a switch to Ironman racing in the future but following last week’s announcement that a mixed relay will be added as an event at the Tokyo Games, Brownlee said he could yet stick with the Olympic programme.

“The thing that does change it all is that triathlon has just got another event in the Olympics,” he said. “It’s got the relay, which means you’ve got the potential to win two medals in Tokyo.

"It’s quite a big draw to go to the Olympics. It’s a really good medal shot for anyone in the British team because we’ve got such a strong team.”

Brownlee won his first Olympic title at London 2012 and then successfully defended that crown with a one-two with brother Jonny in Rio de Janeiro.

In the past, Brownlee Sr has toyed with a possible attempt at the 10,000metres in track and field but since Rio has moved to the half-Ironman distance – the full distance is a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and a marathon-distance run.

Already, the 29-year-old has qualified for the half-distance at the World Championships at the end of the year, which he says is his main goal for 2017.

But as for next season, he admitted he was torn over which path to take.

“I’ve always been a triathlete and wanted to do full-distance racing, so I did always think that I would migrate towards the Ironman,” he said. “I guess the motivation is to head wards that and be successful.

“I’ve been doing some half-distance races so far. I’ve quite enjoyed that but then I raced in the World Triathlon Series at the weekend and really enjoyed that again.

“So I’m not sure yet [about the future]. I’m kind of enjoying not having a fixed goal but it [the Olympics] is a big motivator. I love Olympic distance racing so we’ll see.”

Alistair Brownlee visited the offices of the Evening Standard on behalf of Yorkshire Tea, who partnered with Deliveroo to give out thousands of free brews.