‘Ten years of hate and abuse’ – Schoeman on viral victory over Brownlees
Henri Schoeman says he has faced a decade of abuse over his victory in the 2016 Triathlon World Series Grand Final, a race whose finish became widely shared online. He says repeated posts of the footage have brought blame and attacks directed at him and his family, overshadowing what he regards as one of his biggest career wins.
In Cozumel, Mexico, Schoeman overtook Jonny Brownlee with 700 metres left as Brownlee struggled with exhaustion and dehydration. Jonny’s brother Alistair helped him across the finish line, leaving Jonny second and unable to secure the world title; Schoeman says endurance athletes can falter late in races and that he has no regrets about how he competed. He won Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, came 20th at the 2024 Olympics and was runner-up at the African Championships this month.
In short
- Schoeman says viral coverage of his 2016 win brought years of abuse.
- He overtook Jonny Brownlee with 700 metres remaining in Cozumel.
- Schoeman says he is ready to take pride in the victory again.
Explained simply
The World Triathlon Series is a top-level international circuit, with athletes competing at events around the world for points towards the season title. Its 2016 final was held in Cozumel, Mexico, and featured South African triathlete Henri Schoeman and British brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.
The Brownlees were among the sport’s leading competitors, and Jonny was in contention for the world title. Triathlons combine swimming, cycling and running, so fatigue can affect athletes late in a race; the Cozumel finish became widely viewed and discussed. Schoeman later won Commonwealth Games gold in 2018 and competed at the 2024 Olympics.