It is first time in 112 years that two brothers from Britain had won Olympic medals in the same event, matching the achievement of Reginald and Lawrence Doherty, who also claimed gold and bronze in the men's singles tennis at Paris back in 1900.

Sandwiched between the Brownlees was Spain's Javier Gomez, who battled hard but was ultimately unable to match the searing pace set by Alistair on the 10 kilometres run around the Serpentine before a crowd estimated at two million, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge. 

Alistair Brownlee was too strong for his rivals, including brother Jonathan, on the 10 kilometres run

Alistair collected a Union flag a few hundred metres before the end and was so far ahead of Gomez that he was able to slow to a walk as he crossed the finish line. 

"Someone was holding the flag out so I just grabbed it, but to be honest I didn't really know much about what was going on at that time because I was knackered," he said.

"I was losing it a bit at the end - triathlon is a tough sport and you just want to get to the finish at that stage.

"I know it sounds strange but my first feeling was really that I was incredibly tired and I just wanted to get to the line to have a sit down!

"I'm not sure you get too much time to enjoy it.

"I'd run really really hard - as hard as I've ever had to run - to win the race.

"After that, the emotions obviously were that I was very, very proud and incredibly happy, but I guess my overwhelming emotion was to get across the line and get it over and done with."

Alistair Brownlee (right) shakes the hand of Spain's silver medallist Javier Gomez after exhaustion gets the better of both of them at the end

But it was Jonathan Brownlee who required the medical treatment following the race after he passed out, bringing back painful memories for his brother who had collapsed on this course, which included a cycle route around Buckingham Palace, Constitution Hill, Wellington Arch and Hyde Park, two years ago while competing in a World Triathlon Series event. 

"Two years ago here at Hyde Park I collapsed and passed out for half-an-hour and I didn't have any memory of it at all," he said.

"I think Jonny was in a similar sort of state this time - the race finished a couple of minutes earlier for him so he was alright."

Jonathan had won a medal despite having to serve a 15 second penalty for mounting his bike fractionally before the changeover zone after he finished the 1.5 kilometre swim.

"It was a shame about the penalty, but we can't be greedy, two brothers first and third in the Olympics, you can't really complain too much can you," said Alistair.

"I don't know if it necessarily did cost him a chance of silver, we will never know, possibly it did possibly it didn't, but it is one of those things in sport.

"I'm immensely proud my brother could get a bronze under those circumstances.

"We made no secret of the fact we wanted to both get on the podium today, and that's not an easy thing to do.

"When you think of all the things that can go wrong - like a penalty - when there's two of you the odds are even worse, so to deliver like this shows the strength of training together, pushing each other on all the time and the relationship we have.

Jonathan (left) and Alistair Brownlee were the first brothers from Britain to stand on the podium together at an Olympics since Paris 1900

"It shows we can push each other on successfully, because we are both on the Olympic podium.

"And to do it in front of this crowd was even better, because they were immense.

"Honestly, we couldn't talk to each other on the bike because we could hear above the noise - all the way around!"

After Jonathan collapsed, the Brownlees' doctor parents Keith and Cath rushed to his aid. 

"It was super hard for me, but I don't think it would have changed the result, just made it a bit harder work to get the medal," said Jonathan.

"I had to put it in and after the finish I collapsed.

"I crossed the line and felt awful.

"That's part of racing.

"I got into the tent afterwards and felt worse and worse and overheated, and then I collapsed and I was sick so I got taken to the medical centre.

"But you know what, it's part of racing.

"Triathlon is a hard sport.

"It was Alistair collapsed here two years, and now it's my turn.

"My mum came in the room afterwards, but she was officially invited in this time, she didn't come running down the finishing line.

"They covered me in ice and wet towels to look after me.

Jonathan Brownlee required medical treatment after the race but quickly recovered

"The medical staff were great here, we race all over the world, but in England we get looked after really well.

"I got covered in ice straightaway.

"It wasn't my call, it was up to the doctors, and they looked after me really, really well.

"I'm feeling much better now.

"I'm a bit tired, but you're tired after racing anyway.

"I'm not even sure if I lost consciousness.

"I might have done.

"I don't really have a memory of it to be honest."

It was only when Jonathan recovered that his parents were able to take in the magnitude of what their sons had achieved.

"There was a whole load of mixed emotions," said Keith Brownlee.

"Pride, elation, relief....just wonderful.

"It's very surreal.

"You don't think those boys running through that line can be your sons.

"I had to touch Jonathan to check he was real."

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