British Triathlon has already begun preparations with the recent appointments of a new Performance Director and Head Coach.  

 

The UK Sport award of £5.5m for Olympic preparation and delivery as well as £2.16m for the new paratriathlon programme will ensure that Britain can build on the high level of performance set by the sport in London 2012 when British triathletes won two of the six medals on offer, including gold in the men’s race.  

 

Paratriathlon looks set to become the next big success story with five athletes crowned world champions in their category in Auckland this October.  

 

The UK Sport award for the Rio 2016 Olympic triathlon programme shows a small increase (4%) on the exceptional funding levels of the London cycle, and is based on the performance funding model that recognises the athletes that are already identified on the Rio pathway, with scope for additional investment for athletes identified over the cycle. 

 

Dr Sarah Springman CBE, President of British Triathlon said:

“British Triathlon is absolutely delighted about the award for paratriathlon that reflects our enormous potential for Rio 2016 after our paratriathletes won over 40% of the gold medals in the 2012 ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Auckland and given that the ITU is still working with the IPC on the number of categories and how they will be classified. 

 

“We acknowledge with thanks to UK Sport, at this time of austerity and refocusing priorities after a home Olympic Games, the continued substantial Lottery support for our Olympic programme.  I am personally disappointed that the Olympic Award focuses on maintaining our position; we believe we can stretch our performance given the opportunity to introduce programme innovation that we could not afford to implement before which would help to maintain our potential for repeat performances in Rio. We hope that if the triathlon mixed relay is added to the Olympic programme that there will be an opportunity for programme review based on the increase in medal potential.”

 

After being notified by UK Sport, Zara Hyde Peters, Chief Executive of British Triathlon said:

 

“UK Sport has been a consistent partner to triathlon in delivering on our performance aspirations, and they have demonstrated that support again.  The guidelines for funding were clearly laid out and this award recognises the success delivered in a challenging sport, and backs us for success in our new Paralympic journey.  When taken alongside the substantial increase in English talent funding that Sport England has just confirmed for our sport, this investment will contribute to ensuring we can maintain this success in future Olympic and Paralympic cycles.” 

 

More information can be found on www.uksport.gov.uk