Hayden Wilde Reflects on Paris Silver Medal and Olympic Journey
Hayden Wilde, fresh off his silver medal performance in Paris, recently opened up about his performance in the latest episode of 'Face to Face' with supertri's Adam Leitch. You can watch the episode by clicking here.
Although Wilde had his sights set on gold, he expressed pride in how he executed the race plan, especially given the unexpected challenges. The race was moved to 10 a.m., and Wilde hadn't incorporated heat training into his regimen, which proved crucial as the heat ultimately affected his performance.
Despite the setback, Wilde is determined to focus on the positives. "I’m proud of the way I raced,” he said, reflecting on the preparations leading up to the event. Wilde’s strategy was working perfectly until the last moments when fatigue from the heat hit, allowing Britain’s Alex Yee to close the 15-second gap and claim gold. Wilde noted that while he had done altitude training, his body wasn’t fully prepared for the high temperatures in Paris. "I took the risk to train at altitude in a cooler environment, and that’s something we’ll adjust for next time.”
Wilde also spoke about the emotional weight of competing at the Olympics, acknowledging the immense pressure of trying to balance the perfect conditions for race day. "It’s extremely hard to perform on a single day. Olympic races are always different from regular events, with so much more riding on them." He emphasised the need for adaptability, knowing that every race comes with its unique set of challenges.
As Wilde sets his sights on the Los Angeles Games, he plans to refine his approach. “We’ll definitely plan differently for LA, focusing more on heat training,” he shared. He remains confident that the lessons learned in Paris will serve him well in future races.
Looking ahead, Wilde is eager to continue his rivalry with Yee, which he believes is elevating the sport. "Every sport needs rivalries," he said, adding that their intense competition has drawn more attention to triathlon.
While the silver medal wasn’t the outcome Wilde initially hoped for, his reflections on the experience reveal a mindset focused on growth and resilience. With an eye on future races, Wilde is determined to rise even higher.
