Lucy Charles-Barclay insists she will not let her recent coeliac diagnosis get in the way of an emotional London T100 Triathlon title.

The Ironman world champion, 30, currently tops the women's standings after second place finishes in Miami and Singapore and will return to the streets of the English capital to continue her red-hot campaign on 27-28 July.

Ahead of the event, Charles-Barclay revealed that she was diagnosed with coeliac disease last month after a series of health issues started to affect her training.

It's been a shocking revelation that Charles-Barclay is positively taking in her stride, admitting that she now feels stronger in her training and recovery ahead of her home T100 race this summer.

"I had a big health diagnosis last month when I found out that I was coeliac, which I've obviously been dealing with my entire life and didn't know," she said.

(Image: T100)

"I've been getting stronger each week as I get used to that but it's going to take time.

"I do feel like I've got a bit more energy in my training now and am recovering better as well. Hopefully that will help me in London.

"The first two races of the season went really well as I came second in both and that's given me enough points to sit top of the standings overall.

"If I can do a similar performance in London then I'll be really happy as I'm building race by race."

Coeliac disease is not the easiest condition for an endurance athlete to be diagnosed with - usually thriving off carbohydrates such as pasta and bread.

But now forced to omit gluten from her diet, Charles-Barclay admitted that the change has been easier than she expected, likening it to just another sacrifice on the road to success.

"I had been dealing with a few symptoms and wasn't sure what it was and decided to look into it further," she said.

"It was a real shock to find out it was coeliac disease.

"It's an easy enough transition to cut gluten out but it is in a lot more foods that you think so I'm just being adaptable in my nutrition now, and supplementing the carbohydrates I can't have with ones I can.

"As an athlete you're used to making sacrifices for you performances so this just feels like another one."

Charles-Barclay will line up for her third T100 event in London after opting to miss the San Francisco leg and instead switching her focus to qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Nice.

(Image: T100)

The 2023 champion will now get the opportunity to defend her title in the south of France in September after an unexpected strong start to her season granted her the chance to chase an unprecedented T100 and Ironman double victory.

"My season got off to a better start than I expected with some good results on the board," she said.

"That ended up freeing up some time and gave me the chance to recce the course in Nice and I instantly felt like it would suit my strengths.

"It felt like a good training opportunity for me and I now have the opportunity to defend my title.

"To race the T100 alone means you have to be an extremely versatile athlete and in triathlon you're used to peaking once or twice a year.

"This has now given us the opportunity to peak more times and continually race so you need to be resilient.

"This season is really going to be testing me to my limits."

The first London T100 Triathlon weekend on 27-28 July is entirely free for spectators, and includes a dedicated T100 Watch Party venue at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre for the very first time. Where fans will be able to see the world's best triathletes come past at least 10 times during the 100km race format (2km swim, 80km run, 18 km swim). As well as being able to follow them live, out on the course, thanks to a big screen.