Olympic gold medallist's see-through outfit sets tongues wagging
Fans are calling for Kristian Blummenfelt to sack his stylist after the Norwegian stormed to victory in the men's triathlon at the Tokyo Olympics.
Blummenfelt overcame a chaotic start to the race to claim the gold medal, while Australia finished well out of contention.
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The Norwegian led home Great Britian's Alex Yee, with Kiwi Hayden Wilde taking the bronze medal.
The World No.2, Blummenfelt broke away from Yee and Wilde late in the 10km run leg and charged to the line, winning by 11 seconds.
But as the gold medallist celebrated his victory near the finish-line, fans and commentators couldn't help but point out an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.
With temperatures soaring in Tokyo, the Norwegian team fitted out their triathletes in white outfits.
While it may have helped keep Blummenfelt cooler than his opponents - predominantly dressed in dark outfits - it left the Norwegian a little exposed.
Blummenfelt's outfit went completely see-through after the swim leg, showing his dark underwear at the front and back.
Fans flocked to social media to point out the unfortunate mishap, not that Blummenfelt would care.
Are these triathlon outfits designed like this or is he wearing a wet, white running onesie over a black speedo? It is A LOOK. 😂
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) July 25, 2021
If I were gonna compete in the triathlon at the olympics I’d be real mad if my country made me do it in a see-through outfit and everyone could see my underwear
— Amanda Mull (@amandamull) July 25, 2021
#Triathlon what were you thinking Norway? What an outfit 🤢#Tokyo2020 #TokyoTogether
— Madi Rogers (@madi_rogers3) July 25, 2021
OK, #norway dude won the #Triathlon ! See thru outfits are going to be all the rage now! Way to do what it takes buddy! #Olympics
— Charity Clough (@charityclough) July 25, 2021
I have questions for whoever picked see through outfits for the triathletes from Spain and Norway. Mostly the question is why?
— Emma Sinclair (@emmasinwrites) July 25, 2021
Norway’s #Triathlon outfit is most unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/tbuO0Op08U
— Kim Grrr (@producingk) July 25, 2021
Norway's triathlon outfits are just really unfortunate at this late stage #TokyoOlympics #Triathlon
— Madding Crowd (@Furtherfrom) July 25, 2021
Whoever designed Norway’s triathlon kit for #TokyoOlympics2021 must have been inspired by Captain Underpants(?). Amazing finish by Blummenfelt though. Clearly the superhero outfit worked! pic.twitter.com/yYxUSLIIj3
— Jensen Edwards (@jensenedw) July 25, 2021
Olympics triathlon rocked by extraordinary false start
The race started in chaos after a boat blocked the entry of almost half the competitors into the water at Tokyo's Odaiba Marine Park.
The 56-strong field lined up on the pontoon, but as the starter sent them away for the opening 1500m swim leg many were left stranded when they were blocked off by a camera boat, which then nearly reversed over some swimmers.
Support craft frantically tried to get the message of a false start to those in the water to steer them back to the pontoon.
The race got under way safely about 10 minutes later.
The best-finishing Australian was Tasmania's Jake Birtwhistle, who was 16th in his first Olympics.
Birtwhistle, who won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was bitterly disappointed he couldn't find something extra in the run leg, finishing one minute 28 seconds behind the winner.
"It was all looking good but I just didn't quite have the legs on the run," the 26-year-old told Seven Network.
"I felt strong on the bike and stayed in pretty good positions and did everything right up until the run but just didn't quite have the legs when it mattered.
"It's going to be probably three years of kicking myself until Paris (Olympics) but we've got another chance on Saturday in the relay - we've got a great team so let's hope Australia can deliver then."
Queensland's Matt Hauser, also making his Olympic debut, was 24th while Aaron Royle, from NSW was two places back in 26th.
French world champion Vincent Luis finished 13th.
with AAP
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