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Olympians Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee on how their dramatic Mexico race won't change their Christmas plans


December 18, 2016
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Brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee have been celebrating their incredible Olympic success since the Rio games, having won gold and silver medals for Team GB in the triathlon. But now the brothers are excited to be running closer to Christmas Day.

"Our main Christmas tradition is that Alistair and myself go for a run on Christmas morning on the Yorkshire Moors," says Jonathan. "And then we try and play monopoly with a glass of mulled wine but we never finish the game," Alistair says.

The brothers won the hearts of the British public yet again in September, when 28-year-old Alistair forfeited a gold or silver medal to help his brother Jonny, 26, over the finish line of the Triathlon World Series in Mexico, after the leading brother nearly collapsed of exhaustion 700m from the finish line.

brownlee brothers

But their display of brotherly love hasn't made them any more demonstrative in the festive season.

"Alistair hasn't bought me a Christmas present, ever," says Jonny. "Ever. The worst [gift] I was ever given was when my grandma once gave me a wig!"

"I'd just like to say he's never bought me one either in return," protests Alistair. "If Jonny bought me I definitely buy him one back. Now I've helped him out this year [at the world series], it might be the year, you never know."

"I don't think so," jokes Jonathan.

The brothers were delighted to support out campaign to help families stay together at Great Ormond Street Hospital this season, and Jonny added one more message for everyone celebrating Christmas: "Make sure you celebrate hard," he says.

We hope that you will join Jonathan, Alistair and HELLO! by supporting this very worthy cause. We all like to be with our loved ones this time of year. For the families of patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital, this is especially true.

With your support, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity could help fund family accommodation so mums, dads, brothers and sisters can stay close by, or help fund the creation of bigger rooms in new hospital wards so parents of the most seriously ill children can stay by their bedside 24 hours a day.

The charity also funds play specialists so that children can enjoy some festive fun despite going through very difficult times, and funds research and equipment that will enable the hospital to find new cures and save more lives.

Every donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity will help keep families together this Christmas. And be sure to check back tomorrow to find out which of our wonderful celebs will be popping out from door number 19!

Make a donation to GOSH CC online, or by texting FIVE to 70111*

*Texts cost £5 plus your standard network rate. Please ask the bill payer's permission. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity will receive 100% of your gift. We may contact you to tell you more about our work; if you would prefer we didn't text NOCALL GOSH to 78866. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. Registered charity no. 1160024

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