Search
shop

Spreading the love: British Triathlon taking sport to a wider audience

British Triathlon CEO Andy Salmon on plans to make the sport more accessible
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

WTCS Leeds 2022 this weekend provides another massive opportunity for British Triathlon to make the sport more accessible at entry level in order to reach under-represented groups and boost participation.

CEO Andy Salmon has explained how there is a perception that triathlon is an expensive sport to get involved in, and how his organisation is aiming to erase that stigma.

He detailed the efforts being made to attract talented individuals to the sport, in particular those with impairments – an area he admits needs improvement.

Advertisement

Widening the net

“We’re working exceptionally hard right now on the Paralympic side of things to just get the message out there that there are so many opportunities for people who have an impairment to get involved and come along to one of our talent ID programs and have a go,” he revealed.

“We recognise is that we need to do better at broadening the net in terms of finding those talented athletes, whether they be on the Olympic or Paralympic side.

“We recognize that the sport can be perceived as expensive to some. It doesn’t need to be expensive, but nevertheless, cost can be a barrier. So what we’re trying to do at grassroots level is to tackle that issue head.”

Local link-ups

Salmon went on to outline one of the plans British Triathlon is implementing, which will be run in collaboration with local partners – an approach he believes is a recipe for success.

Andy Salmon CEO British Triathlon (Photo: British Triathlon)
Andy Salmon CEO British Triathlon (Photo: British Triathlon)

“Across England, we’ve got a strategy which we call The Big Active,” he said. “And this is very much something that is happening in and around the Leeds WTCS event.

“But what we want to do is to reach the kind of people that we’ve previously not managed to reach, who are under-represented in our sport.

“And we need to find ways to introduce, swim, bike and run to them in ways that are relevant to them in the local community.

“So rather than just us riding into town and [putting on the event], it is working with local partners and doing things as set in a way that’s meaningful to them.

“And hopefully, by virtue, the primary objective is just to get more people enjoying swim, bike and run.”

By bringing in a larger pool of participants, Salmon hopes to unearth athletes who have the potential to become the new stars of the sport in the future.

“A small percentage of those people will have the talent of a Jess Learmonth or Georgia Taylor-Brown or an Alex Yee or Jonny Brownlee and can go on and be the next generation of our Olympians or Paralympians,” he highlighted.

Lauren Steadman Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
Great Britain’s Lauren Steadman wins Paratriathlon gold at Tokyo 2020.

Paratriathlon hopes

Salmon went on to reinforce British Triathlon’s commitment to developing paratriathlon, with a string of events this summer a cause for excitement, but just a stepping stone towards bettering its reach.

“We’d love to see more paratriathlon taking place at the Commonwealth Games – there’s just a visually impaired category taking place in Birmingham.

“That’s an ongoing discussion for future Championships, but yes, we’re looking forward to that.”

“We’re really excited that just a few days after the Commonwealths we then go to Swansea and we have the first ever stand alone world Triathlon Para Series race on the 6 August.

“We’re super excited about that and again that’s year one of a three-year commitment.

“It’s nice to be able to take an event to Wales, it’s fantastic. We’re absolutely committed to raising the bar with Paratriathlon.

“Yes at the elite level, but as alluded to a few minutes ago more importantly to make the sport accessible to people with impairment. That’s really important.”

Olly Green
Written by
Olly Green
Olly is is been the content lead for RUN247, is a regular contributor to TRI247 and keeps an eye out for content that appeals to both audiences including interviews with pro Heather Jackson.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
Jeanne Lehair Supertri Chicago 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Chicago 2025 as Lehair and Gonzalez Garcia take the wins
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...