Triathlon: Wales's Non Stanford second in Rio triathlon

Non Stanford (right) was ITU Triathlon world champion in 2013

Non Stanford took a step towards Olympic triathlon selection when she was second in the test event in Rio.

Stanford will secure a place in the Great Britain team for the 2016 Olympics if she finishes in the top three at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago in September.

The 26-year-old Welsh athlete said she was happy with second place behind American Gwen Jorgenson.

"The main aim of today was to get on to that podium," said Stanford.

"When Gwen went, part of me just wanted to give it my all, be really brave and go with her, so I did that for bit.

"But the sensible bit of me took over and I knew I just had to get on to that podium - that was aim one - so I was a little bit reserved on the second half of the run to make sure I got onto that podium and didn't risk anything."

Any British athlete finishing on the podium at Rio and Chicago will be automatically pre-selected for the Olympic Games team.

England competitor Vicky Holland was third in Rio, but it was a bad day for Welsh athlete Helen Jenkins who failed to finish in Rio after being kicked during the swim.

The event was staged over the same course that will be used in the Olympics next year, with Stanford declaring "it's good for the Brits".

She added: "I was a good race, an honest race.

"There was nowhere for anyone to hide out there today. The sea swim, the pretty tough and technical bike course and then the hot run so yeah, I surprised myself."

Stanford was World under-23 champion in 2012 and claimed the senior title the following year.

But injuries meant she missed most of the 2014 season and made her comeback in Yokohama in May 2015 after 20 months out of the sport.