Brownlee will be competing in the 2011 ITU World Championship series alongside younger brother Jonathan and will be particularly focused on the Hyde Park round in London and the Grand Final in Beijing as Olympic qualification places are available for up to four British athletes - two men and two women - who achieve a podium finish at either event.

Brownlee said: "With the Olympics getting ever closer it really does increase the tension and excitement.

"Qualification is the first step and I think it's on everyone's mind.

"I'd be a bit disappointed if all I did this season was qualify in third place at Hyde Park but, just like the last couple of years, Hyde Park and the Grand Final are the races I will focus on most."



Brownlee was speaking at a special masterclass in Leeds for 16 GE employees and competition winners from the GE Triathlon Facebook page, where he provided expert advice alongside top British female triathlete Helen Jenkins and brother Jonathan Brownlee (pictured).

Jonathan Brownlee has a far more difficult road to the London 2012 Olympic Games than Alistair because as a junior he still has to qualify to race at the Hyde Park and Beijing events to even attempt Olympic qualification.

The 2010 ITU Sprint World Champion, who finished second at the Hyde Park triathlon last season after his older brother faded in the final stages, said: "It is a massive year and as a junior my initial focus is to qualify for those races and then concentrate on Olympic qualification."

Also speaking at the GE event, Jenkins, the 2008 World Champion, who finished fourth in the 2010 ITU series, added: "Qualifying is the big aim for all of us this year but with such a strong men's and women's British team, Olympic selection will be tough."

The trio, along with the rest of the Great Britain triathlon team, will undoubtedly be using the might of GE to aid their attempt at London 2012 qualification.

As one of the worldwide partners of the London 2012 Olympic Games, GE is also the Elite Partner of the Great Britain triathlon team, providing support and expertise for the athletes as they prepare and compete at the highest levels in the run-up to London 2012.

In keeping with previous Games, where GE provided state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment for the early diagnosis and treatment of sporting injuries, the partnership is exploring specific ways in which GE's healthcare technology and expertise could help to optimise and improve the performance of the team.

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