Triathlete Henri Schoeman Reveals Decade of Abuse Following Viral 2016 Win
South African athlete speaks out about online harassment and hateful messages received since overtaking Jonny Brownlee in a controversial finish.
Henri Schoeman, the triathlete who secured a viral victory over Jonny Brownlee in the 2016 Triathlon World Series Grand Final, has revealed he has endured a decade of abuse in the race's aftermath.
Schoeman, then 25, overtook a dehydrated and exhausted Brownlee with 700 meters remaining in Cozumel, Mexico. Brownlee, with assistance from his brother Alistair, who finished third, ultimately placed second, narrowly missing out on the overall world title. Alistair Brownlee helped his brother across the finish line.
"It was one of the biggest wins in my career, but for the last 10 years it has been overshadowed by something I have never publicly spoken about," Schoeman wrote on Instagram. "Every time this video goes viral I receive messages and comments blaming me for what happened, attacking me and sometimes even attacking my family."
Schoeman stated he entered the 2016 race aiming to prove his Olympic bronze medal, earned behind the Brownlees earlier that year, was not a fluke. He noted that endurance sports frequently feature athletes who misjudge their pacing or fueling strategies, leading to collapse near the finish line. He referenced the recent Ironman World Championship, where Norwegian Solveig Lovseth collapsed in the final mile while leading.
"Athletes lead for hours only to collapse in the final stages," Schoeman said. "That is the brutal reality of endurance sport. The finish line is where winners are made and in Cozumel I crossed that finish line first."
He added that the impact of 10 years of hate and abuse on him and his family is often unseen. "I know what happened that day and what it took to win and I have absolutely no regrets on how I raced," Schoeman stated. "It was one of my biggest victories and, after 10 years, I am finally ready to be proud of it again."
Schoeman has continued to compete successfully, winning Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, finishing 20th at the 2024 Olympics, and securing second place in the African Championships this month.