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Tim Don
Tim Don Strathclye Park Triathlon.jpg
Tim Don on the run section of the 2011 Strathclyde Park Triathlon
Personal information
Born (1978-01-14) 14 January 1978 (age 47)
Isleworth, London, England
Weight 143lbs (65kg)
Website Tim Don webpage
Sport
Country Great Britain
Medal record
Men's triathlon
Representing  Great Britain
ITU Triathlon World Championships
Gold 2006 Lausanne Individual
Silver 2010 Budapest Sprint
ITU Duathlon World Championships
Gold 2002 Alpharetta Individual
ITU Aquathlon World Championships
Gold 2005 Gamagōri Individual
Ironman 70.3
Bronze 2017 Individual
Bronze 2014 Individual

Timothy Philip Don (born 14 January 1978 in Isleworth, London) is a professional triathlete from the United Kingdom. He is known for his amazing achievements in running, swimming, and cycling races.

Tim Don's Early Life and Olympic Journey

Tim Don is the son of Philip Don, who was a referee in the Premier League, a top football league. Tim started his sports journey early, representing Hounslow in triathlon at the London Youth Games.

Competing in the Olympics

Tim Don has competed in the Olympic Games multiple times.

  • At the first-ever Olympic triathlon in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he finished in tenth place. This was a great start for the sport in the Olympics!
  • He also competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he placed eighteenth.
  • Tim was selected for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the race early because he was not feeling well.

Becoming a World Champion

Tim Don has achieved many impressive wins in his career, showing his skill across different types of multi-sport races.

Winning the Triathlon World Championship

On 3 September 2006, Tim Don became a World Champion in triathlon. He won the race in Lausanne, Switzerland, finishing 17 seconds ahead of another top athlete, Hamish Carter. Tim showed great determination by catching up to the lead group during the cycling part of the race and then pulling ahead during the run.

Other Major Wins

Tim Don has also won other important world titles:

  • He won the ITU Duathlon World Championships in 2002. Duathlon involves running and cycling.
  • In 2005, he became the ITU Aquathlon World Championships champion. Aquathlon combines swimming and running.
  • In 2007, Tim won the London Triathlon, a big race held in his home country.

Setting a New Ironman Record

On 28 May 2017, Tim Don set a new world record for the fastest Ironman race time. He finished the Ironman South American Championship in Florianopolis, Brazil, in an incredible 7 hours, 40 minutes, and 23 seconds. This was a huge achievement in the world of long-distance triathlon.

Overcoming Challenges

Tim Don has faced tough challenges, but he has always shown incredible strength and determination to recover and compete again.

A Serious Injury

Just two days before the 2017 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, Tim Don was hit by a car while riding his bike. He suffered a serious neck injury called a Hangman's fracture. This meant he had to wear a special brace, called a halo brace, for three months to help his neck heal.

Returning to Competition

Despite his severe injury, Tim Don made an amazing comeback. Six months after the accident, he returned to compete in the 2018 Boston Marathon. He finished the marathon in 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 42 seconds, which was an incredible feat after such a difficult recovery. His story is an inspiration to many, showing that with hard work and a positive attitude, you can overcome big obstacles.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Timothy Don para niños

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