Is there anyone in triathlon who DOESN'T have Gwensanity? We shudder at the thought. A quick scroll through the gold-medal favorite's Instagram account will get you out the door when you're feeling lackluster about the day's training.
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As the 2016 Olympics approach, triathletes and fans from around the world have taken to Instagram to share their excitement. Our picks for the best accounts to follow for inspiration, motivation, and an insider’s look at what it takes to be an Olympian. (And follow us on Instagram triathletemag for our take on the 2016 Rio Olympics!)
The current Olympic champion is back for another go at the gold. Though no longer a newbie to the Olympic games, Brownlee’s excitement for Rio is just as high as ever.
To say the 2015 USA Triathlon Elite National Champion and two-time USA Triathlon Junior Elite National Champion is excited for his biggest challenge ever would be an understatement. The 23 year-old Olympian has kept his Instagram full of fun (and patriotic) updates on his Road to Rio.
Bermuda’s Flora Duffy has an Instagram that is carefully curated with high-quality (and super-inspiring) photos, like this one from Nils Nilsen.
Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle doesn’t take herself too seriously on instagram, but don’t let that attitude fool you: there is some hard work going on amidst the fun.
USA’s Greg Billington’s cleverness (“Everyone is a worm, but I believe that I am a glow worm.”) is a great reminder that success and fun can coexist in an athlete.
Is there anyone in triathlon who DOESN’T have Gwensanity? We shudder at the thought. A quick scroll through the gold-medal favorite’s Instagram account will get you out the door when you’re feeling lackluster about the day’s training.
Joe Maloy is one of those guys who seems to have fun in everything he does. After learning he made the team, he posted a photo of the most “Triathlete” celebration possible: drinking champagne…in a post-run ice bath. (We’re glad he takes his recovery so seriously.)
Johnny Brownlee will join his brother, Alistair, once more at the Olympics. In London 2012, they became the first brothers to podium in an individual sport at the Olympic games since 1908. If they repeat the feat this year, they’ll truly make history.
Spain’s Mario Mola makes Rio prep look easy (and good) in an Instagram feed filled with high-quality photos.
Behind every great Olympian is a great support crew. Pat Lemieux deserves a gold medal of his own for his efforts in supporting his wife, Gwen Jorgensen, as she prepares for Rio. His Instagram offers an insider’s look at the day-to-day life of the couple (lots of bike rides and lots of food – can you say #relationshipgoals?).
Dedicated to all things Olympic, the official Rio Olympic Games Instagram account is a great way to get quick hits of Olympic news (and, of course, photos) throughout the day. Look for triathlon to make an appearance August 18 (when the men race) and 20 (women’s race).
USA Olympian Sarah True is the type of athlete who can pull off the cover of “Vogue” magazine as well as a goofy selfie before a race start. She’s just that cool – and that fun.
Two-time Olympian Manuel Huerta has provided plenty of behind-the-scenes Olympic snaps, from a glimpse into the design of his Puerto Rico tri suit to training sessions with friends (and competition) Joe Maloy and Greg Billington.
Tommy Zaferes has already popped up in this slideshow several times – just look in the photo credits. Zaferes, husband of Rio-bound Katie (and a fellow elite triathlete) has a keen eye and an ability to capture the heart of the sport in his photography. Though his wife is one of his favorite photography subjects, plenty of triathlon’s famous faces appear in his Instagram feed.
We dare you not to chant “U-S-A! U-S-A!” after scrolling through USA Triathlon’s Instagram account.
For Vicky Holland of Great Britian, the road to Rio has been a beautiful one. Her Instagram is peppered with breathtaking scenery from her pre-race prep in Switzerland.
The official account of World Triathlon Series and the International Triathlon Union is a great way to stay up to date on WTS athletes and races, even after the Olympic medals have been awarded.
USA’s Katie Zaferes is honest, open and eternally optimistic about life as a triathlete in her frequently-updated Instagram account.
Award-winning photographer Nils Nilsen will travel to Rio to document the Games for USA Triathlon. Follow him on Instagram for stunning shots of the Games.
