Impressive finish for Ireland’s Aileen Reid in Olympic triathlon

Ireland’s Aileen Reid has finished 21st in the Olympic women’s triathlon on Copacabana today.

Reid was still in contention coming out of the water following the 1.5km swim, lying 31st but only 18 seconds behind the leader from Spain, Carolina Routier.

The Irish entrant lost position and lot of time during the 40km cycle up and down the famous beachfront however, as Gwen Jorgensen and Nicole Spirig Hug were to the forefront of a lead group of dozen, with Reid three minutes down in 31st entering the final transition ahead of the 10km run.

Jorgensen and Spirig Hug broke free from the rest, and fought out the title between them.

The Swiss, who won gold by the narrowest of possible margins on a photo finish in London, had to be content with silver this time as Jorgensen strode off in the final 400 metres to win by 40 seconds – the the American scoring with a winning time of 1 hour, 56 minutes, 16 seconds.

A battle of British triathletes saw Vicky Holland take the bronze ahead of team-mate Non Stanford.

Reid crossed the line 21st in 2:01:14 - four minutes and 58 seconds behind the winner.