The UK Sport National Lottery-funded programme, which also includes the 2008 world champion Helen Jenkins, provides a high performance environment and a world class support system to enable Britain's triathletes to achieve their full potential and deliver their best performances on the international stage.

The triathletes have been selected based on the world class performance selection criteria and will be based at the British Triathlon National Performance Centre in Loughborough, or one of the sport's three training locations in Stirling, Eastbourne and Leeds.

The triathletes' first taste of the 2010 programme is at the British Triathlon winter training camp currently taking place at Antequerra in Spain.

The camp provides an opportunity for them to spend time together, train together and share their knowledge and experiences supported by top coaches, scientists and medical staff.

Besides Brownlee and Jenkins, the other four athletes selected for the programme are Hollie Avil, Will Clarke, Liz Blatchford and Olly Freeman. 

The programme comprises two tiers: World Class Podium for athletes possessing genuine and strong medal potential at the next Olympics in London and World Class Development for athletes who have the potential to achieve future Olympic podium success.

Heather Williams, British Triathlon's performance director, said: "Since the ITU Triathlon World Championships on the Gold Coast, we have conducted in depth reviews with all current and prospective programme members based on the world class performance selection criteria.

"Everyone selected is extremely talented and motivated and fully committed to our ‘no stone unturned’ approach to maximising their performance and I am delighted to be able to confirm the 2010 members.

"Each athlete on the programme will receive dedicated support from the British Triathlon team of coaches and support staff, supporting their training within a World Class environment.”

Chris Kitchen, the British Triathlon Board member responsible for performance, said: "The athletes selected onto the 2010 World Class Performance Programme, once again shows the strength of our Performance squad.

"The 2009 programme saw our athletes deliver medal after medal, and I am confident of significant success in 2010."

Joel Filliol, British Triathlon's head coach, is looking forward to working with the athletes.

He said: "The 2010 World Class Performance Programme is an exciting group of athletes with great prospects for the next three years.

"At the training camp in Spain all the athletes have shown great professionalism and dedication during the week, beginning their preparations for London 2012."

Five athletes have also been named as world class Affiliate athletes for 2010, including the 2006 world champion Tim Don and Jodie Swallow, who earlier this year won the world long course.

Although not recognised as world class programme members by UK Sport all  have an ability and willingness to contribute to the overall objectives between 2009 and 2012 and will be an integral part of our Olympic campaign over the next three years, Williams said.


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October 2009: Swallow swoops for world title in Australia
September 2009: Brownlee crowned world champion after stunning victory