"A huge but very unexpected honour. I have enjoyed a wonderful career as an athlete with the inevitable highs and lows involved in elite sport. This award stands alongside those highs and is wonderful recognition, not just of what I have achieved, but for our sport."
Non Stanford’s final season (2022) saw her finish on a real high as she represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games, leading the team to win silver in mixed relay triathlon. It also saw her become European Champion to add to the world titles she’s claimed during her career.
In 2013, Non became the first woman to become U23 World Champion and senior World Champion in consecutive years. During 2013 she medalled at five of the eight races, including a Grand Final win in London to take the overall series and world champion title. The year before she became U23 World Champion when she took the tape in Auckland, adding to her mixed relay gold that she’d won earlier that year.
During her career, Non won 21 senior medals at World Triathlon sanctioned events across both individual and team triathlon. In 2016 she represented Team GB at the Rio Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal as she finished fourth.
Away from competing, Non has been an advocate for athletes’ rights, giving athletes a voice, and has been appointed to committees and commissions both nationally and internationally. These roles have been achieved through election by her peers, showing the esteem in which she is held by athletes in Britain and globally.
In 2021, Non was voted onto the British Olympic Association’s Athletes’ Commission and also sits on the World Triathlon Athlete Committee, both roles ensuring that athletes’ viewpoints remain at the heart of decision making. Taking on additional responsibilities and being trusted by athletes to represent them highlights Non’s character and approach to using her position as an experienced athlete for good.
Non was also appointed to the World Triathlon Environmental Sustainability Commission, representing the elite athlete community and their desire for improvements in environmental sustainability.
During her career, Non has been a vocal advocate of participation in swim, bike, run and been a role model to many across Britain.
Following her retirement from competition in 2022, Non has taken up a role at British Triathlon’s Performance Centre in Leeds where she continues to use her knowledge and experience with current world-leading athletes as well as elite athletes of the future. She undertook her coaching qualification prior to her final season and has been an invaluable member of the coaching set up in Leeds.
Reflecting on her award, Non said “This is a huge but very unexpected honour. I have enjoyed a wonderful career as an athlete with the inevitable highs and lows involved in elite sport. This award stands alongside those highs and is wonderful recognition, not just of what I have achieved, but for our sport.
I’m delighted to receive this MBE alongside former British Triathlon President, Ian Howard, especially in this 40thanniversary year of the first Triathlon in Britain.
I would like to thank my family and the many friends I have made in our sport for their support throughout my athlete career and I hope this recognition inspires future generations in the same way I have been inspired in the past.”
Commenting on Non’s MBE, British Triathlon Chair, Bill James said “I think most people are probably aware of Non’s numerous achievements as an elite athlete and these alone are worthy of this recognition. However, Non is also a universally popular individual amongst her fellow athletes and the Triathlon community.
We are delighted that Non has continued her association with the sport and with British Triathlon as a coach, but we also really value and appreciate the contribution and impact she has on the various committees on which she sits.
I know the whole global Triathlon community will join me in sending massive congratulations to Non Stanford MBE.”
