Triathlete Kate Waugh says Olympic decision was 'touch and go'

Kate Waugh got the nod from British Triathlon's Olympic selection panel ahead of Sophie Coldwell

Kate Waugh says it was “super touch and go” whether she would get the nod for the Great Britain triathlon team at next month’s Paris Olympics.

The omission of 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sophie Coldwell led to a scathing attack by the athlete, who said the decision had made her feel "angry" and "let down by my federation".

She appealed against the decision to leave her out, on the basis that British Triathlon had made last year's World Triathlon Championship series race in Cagliari, in which she finished seventh, ahead of Waugh in 10th, a priority race.

British Triathlon replied that the decision had been "incredibly difficult" and that the prioritising was to help determine selection, and not a qualification race.

Waugh said that the problem was the closeness of competition in the sport, telling BBC Look North: "I always knew that one person was going to be upset and one person was going to be over the moon. It was super touch and go over which way it would go as the British women in triathlon are so strong.

"There are so many of us strong enough to qualify. I'm really happy it went my way and I hope to do myself and the team proud at the end of July."

Sophie Coldwell challenged the decision to leave her out of the GB Olympic triathlon team

Gateshead-born Waugh has been competing in triathlon since she was "seven or eight" and her strong performances in winning the world under-23 championship in 2022 and then the Super League triathlon title last year saw her included alongside reigning World Triathlon Championship Series champion Beth Potter and Tokyo 2021 silver medallist Georgia Taylor-Brown.

"It's something I've dreamed of for so long, and to be finally on my way there is crazy to believe," she said. "Years and years of work have been put into this and to have finally qualified, and for it to be only a month away is quite scary, but I'm so excited for the opportunity.

"I've shown the ability to medal at a high level - I showed that last year with second, at the [WTC Series] Grand Final.

"It's not out of the question. I'll put everything into being the best athlete I can be in Paris, and we'll see where that gets me."

Waugh grew up idolising legendary Olympic heptathlete Jessica-Ennis Hill and brother Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, who won three Olympic triathlon gold medals between them.

"Jessica Ennis-Hill was a huge inspiration to me growing up," Waugh said. "It was incredible to see how she handled such high pressure going into London 2012 as the poster girl. She stayed so humble throughout and has a truly inspiring story.

"Closer to the sport, we have Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, who changed the game in triathlon. They made the sport level up, and it's been cool to train with them over the years.

"Now to be going to an Olympics myself is exciting. It feels weird to be in this position but I hope I can inspire young athletes as well."