British duo Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown have been disqualified from the World Triathlon Olympic qualification event in Tokyo for crossing the finish line hand-in-hand.

The pair broke the finishing tape holding hands with arms aloft and a photo finish gave Learmonth, 31, the initial victory before the pair were deemed to have broken a race rule.

An appeal was launched but rejected, meaning that Bermuda's Flora Duffy was awarded the win ahead of Alice Betto of Italy and brit Vicky Holland was upgraded to third. 

In sweltering temperatures, Learmonth had steamed ahead on the swim but was chased down during the bike by Taylor-Brown, Duffy and 11 others.

Learmonth and Duffy then forged themselves a healthy lead in the run which had been cut from 10km to 5km because of the extreme heat. The two then clasped hands and crossed the finish line together with jubilant smiles.

But not for long...

In holding hands the British duo broke the International Union competition rule 2.11.f . which sates "athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times as been made, will be disqualified".

Third place Vicky Holland was also unlucky as, due to the shortened course, her third place positioning does not automatically qualify her for Tokyo 2020 and she will have to wait for selection at a meeting later this year.

Holland, 33, was more concerned for her team mates saying: "I really feel for Jess and Georgia because they raced exceptionally well today and I feel like they absolutely smashed it and deserved the first and second finish."

Tokyo 2020 Spokesperson Masa Takaya said that a "comprehensive review is necessary" following the event.