The brothers won hearts as they congratulated each other after collapsing, exhausted, on the ground
The brothers won hearts as they congratulated each other after collapsing, exhausted, on the ground
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

Story highlights

The duo were the first British siblings to finish first and second at any Olympic Games in the triathlon

Alistair is also the first triathlete to win successive Olympic golds

They fared better than some other siblings who teamed up at Rio this year

CNN  — 

Two exhausted British siblings won hearts around the world when they were pictured embracing after a historic double triathlon triumph in Rio.

Alistair Brownlee, 28, crossed the finish line to win gold ahead of his brother Jonathan, 26, who clinched silver.

In doing so, the pair from Yorkshire in the north of England made history as the first British siblings to finish first and second at any Olympic Games in the triathlon event.

Jonathan Brownlee plunged into the water off Copacabana beach ahead of his brother in the 1.5km swimming leg of the triathlon.
Jonathan Brownlee plunged into the water off Copacabana beach ahead of his brother in the 1.5km swimming leg of the triathlon.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
Alistair (left) and Jonathan were still close together as they took control in the 40km bike leg.
Alistair (left) and Jonathan were still close together as they took control in the 40km bike leg.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Alistair is also the first triathlete to win successive Olympic golds, while his sibling did one better than the bronze he won at the London 2012 games.

Alistair told the official Olympic website: “We wanted to get gold and silver four years ago, but this time we pulled it off.

Related: Brownlee brothers: From crazy golf battles to Olympic triathlon glory

“When Jonny crossed the line, I said to him, ‘We’ve done it’. To see your little brother come over the line 10 seconds after you is phenomenal. It’s so satisfying.”

The brothers surged clear of the competition on the 10km run, defying the heat, to claim first and second place.
The brothers surged clear of the competition on the 10km run, defying the heat, to claim first and second place.
Adam Pretty/Getty Images
The brothers took a rest on the ground after crossing the finish line.
The brothers took a rest on the ground after crossing the finish line.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

While plenty of other siblings headed to Brazil together this year, none achieved quite the level of historic double victory recorded by the Brownlees.

The pair made history with their medal-winning performance.
The pair made history with their medal-winning performance.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have together won the Olympic doubles tournament three times. However, they crashed out this time in the first round.

Also in tennis, Andy and Jamie Murray suffered disappointment when they were beaten in the first round of the men’s doubles – although Andy landed his second successive Olympic singles gold.

However, Paul and Gary O’Donovan from Ireland won their country’s first ever Olympic rowing medal in the lightweight double sculls. They also won plenty of fans on social media with a charmingly frank post-race interview.

And Australia’s Cate and Bronte Campbell helped lead their country to the 4x100m freestyle relay gold, breaking the world record in the process.