Brownlee boys enjoy the perks after Olympic triathlon success

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UPDATED:

11:12 GMT, 18 August 2012

The Brownlee brothers have revealed the wide-ranging perks of life as Olympic medallists – from city-centre receptions to receiving a pensioner's money through the post.

The Leeds-based pair became the first British siblings to stand on the same Olympic podium in more than a century when Alistair won the triathlon ahead of younger brother Jonny in third.

In the 11 days since they have been blown away by well-wishers from across the country.

Doing their bit: Sharon Davies, Jonathan Brownlee, Alistair Brownlee and David Moorcroft support the nationwide grassroots campaign, 'Join In Local Sport', in Leeds on Saturday

Thousands of fans turned up to welcome them home at a parade at Millennium Square in Leeds on Monday while they have been regularly been stopped on their return to training on the streets of their local town.
But it was a letter from an old-age pensioner that Alistair admits has touched him the most.

'Everyone has been great and really friendly,' he said. 'People have been stopping us when we go out training and congratulating us and telling us how proud they were of us. It is really nice – it makes you feel great.

'The best message that we've had though was actually an 89-year-old man who sent us a letter in the post. He wrote that he had watched us and that it was one of the best things he had ever seen in his life.

'He also included a tenner for both of us and said that he wasn't putting his name or address on it so that we couldn't send it back. I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet. I've been so busy with media and everything else since that I haven't had a chance to do anything with it. I've had that in one pocket and my gold medal in the other.

'I actually haven't even got a spot for my gold medal yet. It's just been in my pocket.'

Brothers in arms: Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee celebrate with their medals during a homecoming reception in Leeds

Both brothers have had little time to dwell on their Olympic success with Alistair due to fly to America for a triathlon next month while Jonny will compete in Stockholm next week.

A return to training this week has, however, given Alistair time to reflect and a chance to get away from a busy media schedule.

'It's been pretty hectic since. We've only had a brief chance to see our parents,' he said. 'The great thing about running is that you can get away to your own thoughts and get in a little bubble. You do think about what you have achieved so that's been good to get away.

'I've started training again and initially it is quite easy because you get back into a bit of normality. Then as you start to do a bit of harder training you do think 'this is hard work' but I am off for another competition in American in a few weeks so it all continues on.'

Brit special: Alistair Brownlee won the triathlon at the London Olympics

Jonny admitted to life after the Olympics as a 'massive comedown' with the 22-year-old having to sort the details of his move into a new house since arriving back from London.

Jonny has shared a house with Alistair for the past three years and, with most of the household possessions belonging to his elder brother, has quickly been brought back to the realities of life.

'I'll be moving out soon but I don't think it will be sorted out until after I get back from Stockholm,' he said. 'It has been a massive comedown since getting back after the high of the Olympics.

'It's hard to get back into training but it is what I love to do. Then I've had the house – I've actually got no furniture so I'm going to have to sort that out.

'I'll be looking for a few freebies off my family and friends to start off with. Maybe my new fame will help too. There are a few DIY things that needs doing. I'm actually looking forward to that.'