This time a decade ago, two-time world champion Gwen Jorgensen (USA) was on the final approach of a journey that took her to Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro. A swansong WTCS medal followed at the 2016 Series Final in Cozumel, and that was that. The champion bowed out from the sport at her zenith.
At this point in the new Olympic cycle, ask any elite triathlete what their main goal is and chances are you will get a variation of the same answer: that they want to make it to LA 2028. For Jorgensen, an athlete that has already achieved so much, the fundamental answer is similar enough; the basic allure of a home Olympic Games requires little explanation. But as an athlete in a unique position in the sport, the vision behind the goal is a little different.
“I am thankful for my psychologists who have helped me hone in on my identity which anchors me in life and triathlon,” explained Jorgensen. “My vision is based on my identity, which has a lot to do with effort, execution and self-improvement. Some of my core values are being honest, hardworking, resilient, kind and engaged. These principles resonate far beyond the sport, shaping both my family life and my personal character.”
“My focus is to make everything I do worthwhile. To be bold and push my self-perceived boundaries. Sometimes that's taking a risk by going out faster than I perceive possible, other times that's jumping off a cliff into the water with my son.”
She acknowledged that she originally returned to the sport purely with the mixed team relay in mind. A charge towards making the American relay in Paris ultimately did not come together, Jorgensen’s chances being hampered by throwing her name into the ring later than most of her rivals who took on the full qualification cycle.
“But after one individual race, I saw so much room for growth that it ignited a brand-new spark in me.”
“This time, triathlon feels entirely different,” she added. “It’s a personal choice driven purely by my own enjoyment.”
For Jorgensen, then, success has acquired a new meaning. It “is multi-layered. It is performance- and outcome-based, but it must be anchored in my identity. I can't control what and how other people do, so I can't control the outcome, but I can control how I perform. Success is my effort and execution. Success is being fully present when I'm with my family and fully present when I'm at training. To me, the ultimate success is doing something I love with the people I love by my side.”
In many respects, she is a different person as much as a different athlete than the individual that stormed to gold on Copacabana Beach. Yet one thing that remains unchanged is the threat she poses to the WTCS podium.
After a best result of 6th place in Weihai in her 2024 WTCS campaign, Jorgensen went even better at WTCS Yokohama last year, placing 4th behind first-time race winner Jeanne Lehair (LUX) and world champions Beth Potter (GBR) and Lisa Tertsch (GER).
Injury denuded her season of further opportunities to contend for that first medal since 2016. Yet the signs have been there that a return to the podium might not be far away. And the moment may be near. Anchored by new definitions of self and success, she is ready to re-enter the fray at the WTCS season opener in Samarkand.
“This winter has felt very long and short at the same time. I was coming back from surgery and building throughout a lot of winter. It's hard to believe that it's April already. I am excited to race. The early season brings many unknowns and possibilities.”
She launched her campaign at the Americas Cup in Gulfport last month, coming away with a silver medal. As she put it, “Historically, my first race of the season is a bit rusty so I was happy to open up in the USA and come away with a podium.”
The podium her sights are set on, however, is of an altogether different level.
“I am not one to shy away from saying what I want, and I want to win. We all want to win. Last year did show me that I am capable (of being back on the podium) if I continue to push my comfort level and am able to train consistently.”
As it happens, WTCS Samarkand also falls on Jorgensen’s birthday. The task of beating out the likes of Tertsch, Potter and Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) is formidable. Then again, the course has a similar bike and run profile to Yokohama. The lake swim should likewise cause few problems. All things considered, it is not outlandish to suggest that if Jorgensen is to return to the podium this year it could well be in Uzbekistan.
At the same time, her outlook has shifted. And it all comes back to her evolved definition of success.
“A success is having my husband in Samarkand. It's very rare for him to come to races with me these days, so my 40th birthday present is having him with me in a new location. One thing I really appreciate about triathlon is being able to travel to new places, especially with ones I love.”
Gwen Jorgensen’s road to LA is therefore underway. So too, perhaps, is her way back to the podium, but that will not define this chapter of her journey. No matter the hardware she finishes with, what matters is that the wins, whatever their form, are not confined to the past. Rather, more lie ahead.