Triathlete Aaron Royle finds comfort in Illawarra base during coronavirus crisis

A member of Joel Filliol's elite triathlon squad, the 30-year-old spends the bulk of his year on the road alongside the likes of World Champions Mario Mola, Katie Zaferes and four-time Wollongong Aquathon winner Jacob Birtwhistle.

But when coronavirus hit, the group went their separate ways. For Royle that meant a return to the Illawarra, a region he spent 12 years living and training with the Wollongong Wizards before he relocated to Europe.

Read more: Footballers to hit the ground running after easing of restrictions

The Wizards are no more, but a rich triathlon culture remains in the region and it didn't take long for the Rio Olympian to find some temporary training partners.

"At the start, we had the rules around how many people you could train with, so originally I was doing a lot by myself," Royle said. "Now we can get out in small groups and train together.

"My fiancee, Non Stanford, is a British Olympian, so I do quite a bit with her, Barbara Riveros, a Chilean Olympian is also in Wollongong, Max Stapley is here as well.

"I've done some ocean swimming with Dave McKeon and Jarrod Poort and there's a good cycling group I've trained with.

"It's been nice, normally I have a training group full time. At the minute, it's been good doing a bit by myself and then fitting in with others when I can as well."

The shutdown came at a frustrating time for Royle, the triathlete building towards his peak in an Olympic year.

Optimism remains he will return to racing in September, however that is uncertain at this stage.

Royle concedes motivation has fluctuated throughout the past couple of months, but an underlying love for the sport has helped him remain focused.

"It's about doing what you enjoy. I enjoy keeping active anyway. Even if it wasn't my profession, I'd have a full-time job, but I'd still be active, so that's a big part of it.

"So I'm motivated to exercise anyway, but it's important to know you don't have to be motivated all the time. If you're not that motivated at times, it's okay, you can't stay motivated year round.

"So instead of focusing on an event that isn't going to happen, if you do what you enjoy and you realise it's okay not to be super motivated, it's a lot easier to keep training."

The rescheduled Olympics will mark the first time a mixed triathlon relay has been contested at the Games, an event the Australians have excelled in recent years.

Royle and Birtwhistle are the leading male contenders to contest the relay and while they may have to wait another year to vie for gold, Royle remains focused on the ultimate prize.

"I'm really motivated by the relay. It's an Olympic event, Australia has been on the podium at the World Championships the last five years and I've been lucky to be part of that the last two.

"Qualifying and making sure I'm in the relay won't be easy, but it's my goal.

"It will be a strong team that will be very competitive for a medal. Every athlete close to the relay team realises that and will be motivated by the same goal."

While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.