It was the moment which created an image that made headlines around the world, and will live for ever in sporting history.
Seconds after having Olympic triathlon gold slip through his fingers in the final strides of an epic men’s race at Paris 2024, Hayden Wilde was sat beside the victorious Alex Yee on the blue carpet, arm around the British gold medallist, smiling and talking to his great rival.
But what did Wilde actually say to Yee as they sat there? What do you say to a friend and rival after sharing such a dramatic conclusion to the ultimate sporting challenge? Later in the day we finally got the answer as the Kiwi joined TVNZ Breakfast in the heart of the French capital (full interview at the bottom of this page).
What Hayden said to Alex
When asked by presenters what he’d said to Yee, the 27-year-old superstar from Taupō revealed: “I said ‘hey look, we finally didn’t choke on a grand stage’.
“The both of us in the last few years, we get to the World Championships and we don’t have good races – it’s just a different beast of a race.”
Wilde also revealed that as well as that epic rivalry with Yee, they are also friends, telling viewers: “We were room-mates together at a race eight years ago for a week, and we got to know each other a lot.
“And we’ve just kind of sort of grown together in the same sort of progression rate in the sport. It was just so nice that both of us could be proud of what we’ve done, it was just a good moment, he and I.
“We might have one of the biggest rivalries in our sport, but we’re great mates behind the scenes, and we like to keep it that way. Keep fierce on the pitch but off pitch, gotta have a good relationship and keep it good.”
Hayden’s post-race verdict
Wilde spoke in detail about his verdict on the big race, and he also paid tribute to team-mate Dylan McCullough – who dropped back to help Wilde bridge up to the lead bike pack ahead of the crucial closing run.
“I’m so appreciative to Dylan, the way he attacked the race and helped me get into a position where I had fresher legs coming off the bike. Then I just knew at that time, it was my time to attack Alex. It was the first time that we’ve raced each other, that I’ve got away from him.”
Hayden admitted that it was the heat which finally caused him to falter, allowing Yee to claim gold with that final surge. He said had the race started at 0800 local time instead of the rescheduled 1045, things just might have been different.
“It was just unfortunate, the heat got to me. I felt like I probably could have held on, but I just imploded from inside and just had nothing left in the tank, gave it absolutely everything. It was just so nice for us to have a race with no penalties, no nothing. Just a foot race and the better man won and I gave it everything.
“I feel like it was if it was an 8am race, the heat wouldn’t have got to me and it could have been a different story but hey, I can’t be disappointed with a silver and I’m just stoked to have that battle and finally kind of, I guess, shake his boots a little bit.”
