Dr Keith Brownlee, paediatric consultant, is due to jet out with his family to cheer on 20-year-old triathlete Alistair.

The Horsforth man is among the youngest competitors at Beijing representing team GB in the men's individual triathlon.

Keith, 47, said: "I said to him what I say before every race: enjoy it. You really deserve your place, do your best and remember to respect everyone but don't fear anyone. We would love him to bring a gold home for the city."

Alistair is world U-23 champion who achieved the Olympic qualifying standard after winning bronze at the Madrid Triathlon World Cup. He was also 2006 world junior champion but thought London in four years' time was going to be his first Olympic call.

His brother Jonathan, 18, is also at the Olympics, as part of the Ambition 2012 programme which means he will just be watching but is in line for the triathlon GB squad at 2012.

Keith added: "They are more interested in beating each other than the rest of the world!"

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