Georgia Taylor-Brown revealed a leg injury almost ruled her out of the Olympics after overcoming a puncture to win silver for Great Britain in a wet women's triathlon in Tokyo.

The 27-year-old from Manchester gave a delighted shrug as she stepped on to the podium and no wonder having been on crutches 12 weeks ago and having to prove she was fit enough to compete a week before flying out to Japan.

She said: "That was probably more stressful than today, because it could have been taken away from me, but I proved that I was fit, I was ready to go, I did more than they asked me to do.

Learmonth said: "You wouldn't believe how talented she is. When we came across the line I just cried and I never cry. I just wish everyone would know how amazing she is."

Holland added: "I don't know anyone else who could have done the prep that she's done in the last 12 weeks and done that in the shape she's in now and deliver that. Anyone else, I don't know if they'd even make the start-line. She's dealt with everything thrown at her like an absolute trooper."

With Taylor-Brown emulating Alex Yee in the men's race, Britain should have an excellent chance of a gold medal when the mixed relay makes its Olympic debut on Saturday.