Local planner brings home medal from European competition

An Exeter-based housing planner has won a bronze medal at the European Triathlon Aquathlon Championships in Belgium.

Ollie Thorogood, 27, of Persimmon Homes South West took third in the men’s (aged 25-29) competition for Great Britain, running 1000m and swimming 5km in 31 minutes 28 seconds.

The Aberystwyth native, who was sponsored by the five-star housebuilder, had previously taken fourth in each of his last three attempts, and had also competed at the World Championships in Ibiza earlier this year.

Ollie beat Belgian Ruben Vandamme by 17 seconds to share the podium with Frenchman Kategely Téo and Vandamme’s countryman, Arno Lambrecht.

The event was part of the 2023 Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships in Menen.

Celebrating his podium place, Ollie said:

“After coming so close in previous years and dedicating so much of my time to train for the competition, I am delighted to have won my medal in Belgium.

“It was far from easy but I am just glad the hard work has paid off. I can proudly call myself a British Triathlon medallist, and this will feed my ambition further as I always aim to improve my performance.

“I am so grateful to my family, friends, training team, and fellow British Triathlon athletes for all the support they have given me in addition to my colleagues at Persimmon who generously sponsored me at the Championships.”

Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris added:

“We at Persimmon are so proud of Ollie and his achievement. He has put so much energy and effort in getting to this point and I’m sure he is relieved it has paid off.

“No doubt he will want to relax a bit now but he’ll have to get training again for the next competition, and Persimmon will be behind him all the way once again.”