Just a day after announcing their new Chief Executive Officer, British Triathlon have named their World Class Programme for 2024, which provides support to the best athletes in the country.
Olympic and Paralympic medalists such as Georgia Taylor-Brown, Alex Yee and Lauren Steadman make the list, whilst a number of rising stars also join the programme for the first time.
Following on from last year’s programme, there have been some changes, but the core athletes remain the same as the federation looks ahead to Paris, where the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held this summer.
Olympic World Class Programme
In addition to Taylor-Brown and Yee, a number of other Olympic medalists are on the programme for 2024, such as British Triathlon stalwarts Vicky Holland, Jess Learmonth and Jonny Brownlee.
Sophie Coldwell is another experienced name on the list, having taken her first WTCS victory in Yokohama earlier this season, with World Champion Beth Potter and Super League Triathlon Championship Series victor Kate Waugh other leading names on the programme.
Additions to the programme this year include World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki winner Hugo Milner, who recently qualified for Team GB at the European Cross Country Championships, plus WTCS Sunderland mixed team relay medallists Jessica Fullager and Tilly Anema.
But Max Stapley, ranked one spot higher in the Olympic standings than Milner, isn’t on the list and it’s a similar situation on the women’s side as Sian Rainsley – also the sixth GB athlete and above others who do make it – misses out.
Two athletes from last year’s list, Ben Dijkstra and Sophie Alden, have been retained to the programme for 2024, but only for an initial six month membership period.
Paralympic World Class Programme
World Champion Dave Ellis, alongside his guide Luke Pollard, retains his status on the Paralympic World Class Programme, with fellow Tokyo Paralympian’s Steadman and Claire Cashmore also named on the list.
George Peasgood, more than a year on from a career threatening bike accident, is also on the programme, as the 28 year old continues his road back to elite sport.
Alongside Luke Pollard, four additional guides have been selected, with Charlie Harding, Brooke Gillies, Hazel McLeod and new addition Jack Hutchens part of the programme.
British Triathlon Performance Director Mike Cavendish was full of praise for the athlete’s named on the programmes and looks forward to seeing them progress over the next two Olympic and Paralympic cycles.
“The athletes selected have delivered performances over the last 12-months that confirm their status as some of the best triathletes and Paratriathletes in the world. We have a number of familiar faces returning to the programme alongside several new ones. It is a really exciting time for all of those selected and I look forward to seeing the progress they make over the next 12 months.
“For some that will be challenging for Olympic and Paralympic medals in Paris, while for others 2024 will be about continuing their athletic development towards LA and beyond. We continue to be hugely grateful for the support we receive from the National Lottery, and it will be central to the success of the programme as we prepare for Paris and then begin looking ahead to LA in 2028.”
Programmes in full:
Olympic World Class Programme
Georgia Taylor-Brown – From Manchester, Trains in Leeds
Alex Yee – From London, Trains in Loughborough
Jonny Brownlee – From Leeds, Trains in Leeds
Jess Learmonth – From Leeds, Trains in Leeds
Sophie Coldwell – From Nottingham, Trains in Loughborough
Beth Potter – From Glasgow, Trains in Leeds
Vicky Holland – from Gloucester, Trains in Leeds
Kate Waugh – From Gateshead, Trains in Leeds
Sam Dickinson – From Leeds, Trains in Leeds
Olivia Mathias – From Newark, Trains in Loughborough
Ben Dijkstra* – From Loughborough, Trains in Loughborough
Barclay Izzard – From Derby, Trains in Loughborough
Jack Willis – From Middlesborough, Trains in Leeds
Connor Bentley – From Crewe, Trains in Loughborough
Dan Dixon – From Morpeth, Trains in Leeds/USA
Sophie Alden* – From Norwich, Trains in Loughborough
Jess Fullagar – from Bracknell, trains in Leeds
Tilly Anema – from Norfolk, trains in Cardiff
Hugo Milner – from Derby, trains in Derby
Paralympic World Class Programme
Dave Ellis – From Derby, Trains in Loughborough
Luke Pollard (guide) – From Telford, Trains in Loughborough
Lauren Steadman – From Peterborough, Trains in London
Claire Cashmore – From Kidderminster, Trains in Loughborough
George Peasgood – From Safron Walden, Trains in Loughborough
Alison Peasgood – From Dunfermilne, Trains in Loughborough
Micheal Taylor – From Barnstaple, Trains in Bristol/Bath
Finley Jakes – From Eastbourne, Trains in Loughborough
Oscar Kelly – From Redbridge, Trains in Loughborough
Charlie Harding (guide) – From Penrith, Trains in Nottingham
Megan Richter – From Birmingham, Trains in Birmingham
Michael Salisbury – From Newcastle, Trains in Newcastle
Mel Nicholls – From Tewkesbury, Trains in Tewkesbury/Loughborough
Hannah Moore – from Stalbridge, Trains in Loughborough
Henry Urand – from Asford, Trains in Loughborough
Jack Hutchens (guide) – from Westward Ho!, Trains in Westward Ho!
Brooke Gillies (guide) – from Fife, Trains in Loughborough
Hazel McLeod (guide) – from Newcastle, trains in Edinburgh
*initial 6-month membership only