Six ITU world champions will provide the inspiration for continued progress of Britain’s paratriathlon squads in the run up to the sports’ Paralympic debut in Rio.
A World-Class Performance squad of 19 athletes has been announced alongside a Talent squad of nine, boosting the number of supported athletes to 28 in total. With the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games just over two years away, this is the largest British paratriathlon squad ever selected.
British Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Manager, Jonathon Riall said: “Our current world champions are intensely focused on Rio. I’m delighted to confirm all six of them as part of our World-Class Performance Squad alongside new talent we have identified over the winter.”
“We’ve selected a talent squad that will gain experience this year and have a dedicated coaching and support team around them. The Talent ID initiatives over the winter have helped unearth athletes in categories that we’ve not previously had them, as well as find some really exciting new talent.”
He added: “The year started very well for us with our first international training camp in Lanzarote. Our goal was to give the athletes a taste of what is expected of them in training if they want to succeed in Rio and they all stepped up.”
British Paratriathletes will be in action at the free-to-view PruHealth World Triathlon London on 31 May. That is preceded by the international season opener at the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama, Japan, on 17 May.
World-Class Performance Squad
Clare Cunningham, 36, Cambridge, Tri4 world champion 2009
Jane Egan, Glasgow, Tri1 world champion 2010, 2011, 2013
Faye McClelland, Eastbourne, Tri4 world champion 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Alison Patrick, 26, Livingston
Sarah Pearson, 42, Devon
Melissa Reid, 23, Truro, Tri6b world champion 2013
Lauren Steadman, 21, Peterborough, Tri4 European champion 2013
Haseeb Ahmed, 44, Leicester
Iain Dawson, 37, Norwich, Tri6b world champion 2010, 2012
Dave Ellis, 27, Derby, Tri6b world champion 2013
Matthew Emerson, 27, Sandwich, Tri5 world champion 2012, 2013
Chris Frost, 42, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Jimmy Goddard, 36, Bracknell
Chris Goodwin, 43, Hampshire, Tri6a world champion 2013
Adrian Heathfield, 39, Kent
David Hill, 25, Bath
Phil Hogg, 44, Derby, Tri1 European champion 2013
George Peasgood, 18, Saffron Walden
Joe Townsend, 26, Eastbourne
Talent Squad
Lizzy Tench, 39, Malpas, Cheshire
Mark Conway, 34, Lincoln
Bret Crossley, 40, Leeds
Steve Crowley, 37, Exeter
Andy Grant, 25, Liverpool
Ben Jones, 17, Powys
Andy Lewis, 31, Gloucester
Neil Malcolm, 34, Leeds
Ryan Taylor, 20, Derby
