Last updated at 22:21, Thursday, 08 July 2010

VETERAN athlete Barry Johnson walked away with a European gold medal after his triathlon heroics.

EURO MEDAL: Barry Johnson with his gold triathlon medal he won in Ireland

Irish eyes were smiling on the 69-year-old, of Eaglesfield, whose 750m swim helped him land top spot in the Athlone event.

Former British and European champion Johnson said he was delighted to pick up his first continental win since the mid 1980s.

He said: “No-one in triathlon can be the best at all three disciplines but my swim helped me grab the gold.

“There was a pile up as we hit the buoy but I stuck out wide, saved my energy and avoided all the traffic.

“Swimming is my strength and I was lucky to have the right line.

“It was a nervy time waiting to find out how I’d done.

“I was in one of the first waves of athletes to cross the line and had to wait with baited breath for the result.

“I am over the moon because it has been more than 20 years since my last European title.”

As well as the swim, Johnson had to complete a gruelling 20km cycle and a 5km run in the Irish event.

He said: “It wasn’t an easy course but I coped with the disciplines well.

“There was around 4,000 competitors over all the age ranges and it was great to be one of the athletes that stood out.”

Johnson is now preparing a mammoth challenge to celebrate his 70th birthday next month and raise cash for cystic fibrosis charities.

Cockermouth rally star Matthew Wilson will be involved with Johnson announcing the challenge next week.

First published at 19:28, Thursday, 08 July 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk